Shaping in ABA
ABA therapy at InBloom Autism Services incorporates a variety of effective teaching methods that help children learn new skills and grow in confidence and independence along the way. Shaping is one of these methods.
The Concept of Shaping
Shaping involves a gradual approach to teaching a new skill. Starting with a simpler form of a skill that a child can more easily master, a child learns increasingly complex versions, ultimately learning and mastering the complete skill.
Successive Approximations
Successive approximations are a central idea in shaping. This simply refers to a child gradually learning a skill by mastering, one-by-one, approximations of that skill. It may help to look at an example.
A child may have the goal of learning to color in a coloring book. Picking up a crayon may be the first achievable skill for them. Having mastered this, the next step might be holding a crayon properly. Next might be making marks on a sheet of paper. Eventually, the child will learn to color in a shape in a coloring book.
Application of Shaping in ABA Therapy
Let’s explore how shaping can be broken down into three important stages.
Target Behavior Identification
At InBloom Autism Services, our skilled Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) identify a skill that a child can benefit from learning. An example could be learning to tie their shoes. The BCBA would then work on a plan for teaching the child this skill using shaping.
Task Analysis and Step-by-Step Teaching
A skill is often broken down into smaller achievable steps to help a child learn it. This aspect of shaping is similar to task analysis, and the two really go hand-in-hand.
Reinforcement Strategies
Reinforcement refers to encouragement and other responses that help a child successfully learn a skill and integrate it consistently into appropriate situations. For instance, a kiddo learning to tie his shoe using shaping receives praise at each step along the way. A child learning to ask for a favorite toy may be rewarded with some time to play with the toy, thereby reinforcing this important communication skill.
In shaping, each closer approximation is reinforced, ensuring that a child transitions to the next approximation on the way to the complete skill.
Examples of Shaping in ABA
Self-Care
By gradually learning important daily skills, children will develop a repertoire that enables them to be successful in the many tasks of life, from brushing their teeth to tying their shoes.
School Readiness
Skills like classroom participation, writing one’s name, and many more can be taught using shaping, making this effective approach a vital part of ABA therapy, especially in building school readiness.
Social Skills
Learning to engage socially can be challenging for children with autism. Shaping lets them experience increasing confidence as they gradually master important steps along the way to a full-fledged skill. Not only will they master something like engaging a peer in a game, but they’ll benefit from having many confidence-building achievements along the way.
Challenges and Considerations
There are some considerations and challenges to bear in mind when it comes to using shaping in ABA therapy. It does require close monitoring and a structured approach to ensure that it’s effective. The outcome is worth the effort, however, and our excellent RBTs can ensure shaping is used effectively.
It’s essential that shaping also be tailored to the needs, goals, and learning style of each child to ensure it is effective and beneficial for them.
Start Your Autism Therapy Journey with InBloom Autism Services
Shaping is just one of the many effective methods within ABA therapy at InBloom. As part of a toolbox of many other dynamic and helpful teaching tools, shaping can help your child learn new skills and grow in confidence. Contact us today to learn more about starting your child’s therapy journey with InBloom.
