What is ABA?
How does an ABA programme work?
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), is a set of principles that are scientifically proven to be effective in changing human behaviour. The core principle is that human behaviour changes when the environment changes. This means we believe that every child can learn, providing we change the environment and our teaching method suitable for their needs. (Please refer to our FAQ page for questions commonly asked by parents about ABA)
HeadStart provides a range of programmes and the main programmes are full-time (typically 30 hours per week) and part-time (typically 15 hours per week). Both programmes are devised in a highly individualised way that best suit the child’s needs.
A typical programme consists of language and communication targets, functional skills (e.g. self-help), physical activities, social and emotional targets as well as reducing challenging behaviours. If parents feel that their child only needs help with a specific skill, we can also provide a skill-specific service.
Certain skills will require your child to have pre-requisite skills before training. For example, to be able to toilet train a child, the child will first need to be able to follow instructions and sit still for a few minutes. Your consultant will give you guidance on this if this provision is appropriate for you.
The programme takes place wherever the child learns. It can be at home, at nursery or school (this will require permission from school/ nursery) or in the community (e.g. trampolining class, trip to the shops…etc.). It will be conducted by a team of professional speech & Behaviour specialists trained to deliver ABA services, but parents, carers and teachers who work with the child are highly encouraged to apply principles and procedures from the ABA provision. This is to provide consistency in the child’s learning. Children excel in their learning when there is consistency in everyone’s teaching.
As mentioned, ABA is a scientific approach to changing behaviour. Our programme takes an experimental approach, meaning we will take data on the child’s behaviour before, during and after each intervention. This is to ensure what we are doing is effective, and we know what to change when it is not working as expected. The consultant will explain any scientific concepts in language that parents can understand. They will also devise a user-friendly data collection system, and give training on data collection to make sure all involved are comfortable and confident in its use.
In order to ensure consistency in the programme and maintain standards, our consultant will start the provision with initial training, covering a minimum of 12-15 hours. This is the same for both full time and part-time provisions. Everyone involved in the provision should attend- all speech & Behaviour specialists, family members, care taker... etc. The training will cover basic principles and teaching methods of ABA and set initial targets. After this point, a following up initial clinic review is given a couple of weeks later and then the provision moves to its regular slots of;
Full time
Part-time
During these clinic meetings, the consultant will provide on-the-job training for parents, Speech & Behaviour specialists and school staff, regarding up-date targets, review progress, as well as set and review behaviour management plans.
The programme is over-seen by a consultant who is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA), who ensures the programme is up to the standard regulated by the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB).