PECS: A method of communication used for learners diagnosed with ASD In the previous blog post, we discussed how to teach communication through PECS Phases I and II. In this blog post, we will dive into learning about Phases III and IV.   PECS is a (non) communication system, used at special needs schools, ABA clinics like ABA Works, and across many other settings. It is widely used across the world.  Phase III of PECS – Picture Discrimination  Once your learner is a pro in phase II, it will be time for the learner to work on knowing the difference between each picture the ..read more

Does your child or learner exhibit delays in speech? If your learner is at a young age, you might try to work on increasing their vocabulary on your own. However, sometimes you might practice with them to produce a vocal sound, but it might not be a full word or only an approximation of that word. While you might understand the approximation, others might not know what the learner is referring to. I always let caregivers know that it is still good to practice with your learner how to produce those vocal approximations. One thing that can enhance the learning process is to add a method of commu ..read more

In this part 2, we are covering other data collection methods.  But before we do that, here are some quick and practical tips on how you can collect data when not using technology: Elastics on fingers: Roll over the bands to the other hand when a behavior occurs Clicker Counters: Click on the clicker every time a (high frequency) behavior takes place Beads on a pipe cleaner: Slide the beads to the bottom of the pipe cleaner when the behavior happens Hourglass: Or better in plastic, to measure duration use for intervals Small objects in pockets: When the behavior occurs, transfer the smal ..read more

Many of ABA Works’ learners are returning to physical school sessions and are showing challenging behaviors due to this transition. If your child or learner is also resuming school in-person sessions, here are some tips on how ABA strategies can assist your child or the learner to be successful in the classroom: Identify and Establish the Reinforcers This step is highly beneficial to assess the learner’s motivation. Before placing any demands, you will first need to identify the highly motivating reinforcers and to have those reinforcers ready with you. There are many assessments to determin ..read more

Summer is here! This season is the time for fun for everyone and is also a great time for bonding experiences. A great way to enhance your bonding experience with your learner is through social play activities. Social play is any play where the learner of the same age interacts with each other and follows a set of rules in the activity. Through social play, the learner learns how to share, cooperate, and take turns. When you plan to present new activities to your learner, be sure to inform your learner some days beforehand of any upcoming activities. This way they are aware and can be prepared ..read more

When you are meeting the learner, or it is the first-time meeting, it is important to first focus on pairing. That means that the learner will have access to preferred activities through you (and not free access). When you have successfully paired yourself, the learner will become motivated to follow your lead and think of you as the fun person every time they see you. Pairing is very important in order to establish and maintain instructional control. But how do you successfully pair yourself? For this technique, here are the top 3 tips for a successful pairing: Show the learner that you are ..read more

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined as a developmental disability that impacts the ability to communicate and interact with others. When detecting signs of ASD, it is best to assess early in order to discuss with your learner’s doctor about an official screening for ASD and accessing early intervention services. In this blog post, I will be listing the characteristics of ASD when assessing your learner. When assessing for signs of ASD, there are different categories to search into. The first is to check the learner’s level of social communication and interaction skills. The following bel ..read more

Along with providing ABA services for the learner in the home, it can also be beneficial to have ABA services for the learner in the school. That is why ABA Works provides ABA services in the preschool and school in LA County. Through the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), public schools are required by law to “provide education services that accommodate the needs of students with disabilities to ensure they receive the same level of education as their peers.” According to the Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide, “One of the core practical concepts of IDEA is the implementation of ..read more

There are many benefits for in-clinic ABA services. This is why ABA Works decided to start an ABA learning center in the county of LA. Here are the top advantages of having ABA services in a learning center: Positive effect 1: Easier transition to (pre) school. Many parents would love to have their children transition to a mainstream learning environment. Think about a preschool, daycare or a school. In-clinic ABA services provides a highly structured environment for learners to learn different skills. In-clinic services provides a structure and environment, that is similar as a school environ ..read more

on The #1 Most Amazing Benefits of Social Skills Groups Every Parent Should Know  Key words: Social Skills Group, SSG, skills  For the Thanksgiving holiday, our Social Skills Group crafted Turkey plates and after completing them the kiddos had a moment of complimenting each other’s art. It was a very sweet moment between the young children because before joining the Social Skills Group they would not say a word ..read more