Positive Behavior Support in ABA Therapy
ABA therapy at InBloom Autism Services is truly multi-faceted. We believe that by using a wide variety of effective, proven therapy methods, we can create a personalized experience for each child that helps them achieve their goals and grow in confidence and independence.
Positive behavior support (PBS) is one of these ABA therapy methods. The key to understanding PBS is in the name—positive!
What Is Positive Behavior Support (PBS) in ABA?
Positive behavior support is a vital part of ABA therapy that focuses on helping a child learn positive skills and behaviors in a supportive, encouraging atmosphere.
Definition and Core Principles of PBS
Positive behavior support is about creating a supportive, comfortable learning environment for a child. When they feel safe, accepted, and affirmed, a child with autism can learn effectively and grow in a healthy way. PBS involves helping a child learn and grow in positive, healthy skills and behaviors within a supportive context.
Why PBS Is Essential for Comprehensive Autism Treatment
In ABA therapy, it’s essential to understand that each child is unique and needs a personalized therapy approach to help them thrive and realize their full potential. As part of ABA therapy at InBloom Autism Services, positive behavior support helps ensure that child-centered strategies and personalized therapy are at the core of treatment.
Components of Positive Behavior Support
There are multiple aspects to PBS. Let’s break these down to better understand how it works and benefits children with autism.
Conducting Thorough Functional Behavior Assessments
Challenging behaviors can often interfere with a child’s learning and social interactions. A central part of PBS is ensuring a child with autism has a functional behavior assessment (FBA). This assessment—performed at InBloom by our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)—seeks to understand the motivation behind a child’s behavior.
An FBA is grounded in the knowledge that all behavior is an attempt to communicate something, whether it’s a want or a need. Rather than simply trying to suppress challenging behaviors, the therapist uses an FBA to understand what the child is trying to communicate with their behavior. The next step is teaching them more effective alternatives that enable them to connect positively with others. For example, raising their hand can replace screaming to get attention.
Functional behavior assessments, like other aspects of positive behavior support, seek to support a child in their unique needs and help them foster positive behaviors that enrich their life and help them grow as a person.
Developing Person-Centered Behavior Support Plans
One aspect of PBS is creating a personalized support plan for your child based on a behavior consultation conducted by their BCBA. Understanding your child’s strengths, needs, and uniqueness helps the BCBA create a personalized therapy plan that can foster positive skills and fill your child with the joy of achieving their goals.
Creating Supportive Environmental Modifications
Ensuring each child has a therapy atmosphere most conducive to their learning is important to us at InBloom. Whether it’s using helpful signage or ensuring a child has easy access to items they need during therapy, our therapists customize the therapy space to ensure each child has a positive experience as they learn.
Benefits of Positive Behavior Support
PBS helps bring positivity and joyful learning to the therapy experience. Let’s explore some of the other benefits of PBS in ABA therapy.
Reducing Challenging Behaviors
Challenging behaviors can make it difficult for a child to learn new skills or interact effectively with others. Guiding them toward positive skills replaces these behaviors with effective communication and social skills that will help them succeed, whether at home, in the classroom, or other social settings.
Improving Quality of Life and Family Functioning
When a child with autism is surrounded with positive support, their quality of life is enriched and they can grow and thrive more effectively. Learning positive, effective skills has a marked impact on their life at home as well. PBS is all about supporting a child where they’re at as they take on new, life-enriching challenges that help them succeed.
Positive Behavior Support at InBloom Autism Services
We take a collaborative approach to ABA therapy at InBloom, and this holds true with PBS. As a parent or caregiver, you have a unique and special role in your child’s life. Your encouragement and positive support give your child the strength to meet their goals. We appreciate all you do and strive to make you an active part of the therapy process.
InBloom ABA therapists ensure that therapy is personalized for each child. Selecting the best interventions and methods and modifying your child’s therapy plan along the way helps ensure a positive, enriching experience for them.
Start Your Autism Therapy Journey with InBloom Autism Services
If you’re ready to discover how ABA therapy at InBloom can help your child blossom and grow, contact our helpful team today. Learn more about the dynamic therapy we offer at each of our learning centers.
