Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy providers help children with autism and other neurodivergence live fulfilling lives. The best way to promote long-term success is by actively involving parents and caregivers in therapy. Parent training gives families the knowledge and confidence they need to support their child’s therapy goals at home and in the community. Parent-therapist collaboration can make a world of difference in a child’s life.
Important note: Throughout this article, the term “parent” refers to any primary caregiver, including grandparents, guardians, or others directly involved in a child’s daily care and therapeutic support.
What is Parent Training in ABA?
Parent training, also known as parent coaching or caregiver treatment guidance, is a common component of ABA therapy. Parent training is a collaborative partnership between parents and the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or other ABA provider.
So, what exactly does parent training entail? While every therapy provider may structure training differently, most parent training involves two components: parent education and parent training.
Parent Education involves sharing helpful information with parents, such as basic knowledge of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental changes, educational planning, advocacy, treatment options, and general strategies. Parent Training involves a more hands-on and individualized approach, where the BCBA provides individualized strategies that address the child’s needs while directly training the parent on implementing the plan.
While research shows that parent training is more effective than parent education alone, combining the two can lead to the best results (Bearss et al., 2015).
How Does Parent Training Work?
Parent training involves a few key components. These steps may look different for each family and clinician. However, the general steps include:
- Initial Assessment
Before starting, the therapist must develop a clear picture of your goals, family dynamics, and other important information to guide them. The assessment typically consists of questionnaires and an interview. This should be a collaborative process wherein the clinician gains an understanding of what is most important for you and your family.
- EducationThe behavior analyst provides basic education on behavior analytic concepts and strategies. This includes information on fundamental principles like reinforcement, shaping, and modifying the environment.
- Hands-On Practice
The next step involves hands-on practice. This is known as Behavior Skills Training (BST). Based on your family’s individualized goals, the therapist will teach you skills to help you learn how to manage your child’s behaviors and help them learn new skills.
BST involves four main steps:
- Instruction–The therapist will teach you about the skill or concept.
- Modeling–The therapist will demonstrate the skill or concept.
- Rehearsal–You will have an opportunity to practice, either in role-play with the therapist or with your child.
- Feedback–The therapist will provide feedback on how you did.
- Ongoing Support
A big part of parent training is providing parents and caregivers with ongoing support and guidance. Raising children with disabilities can be challenging, but you are not alone. Behavior analysts make space for parents to celebrate their wins and share their concerns and frustrations. They are also there to offer recommendations to support the family’s journey.
What are the Benefits of Parent Training and Education?
Training parents on the implementation of ABA principles offers many benefits. While not an extensive list, the following covers some main benefits.
- Improvement in the child’s goal progress
- A stronger child-parent relationship
- Confidence in parent’s ability to support their child’s needs
- Potential for a quicker graduation from therapy
- Increased consistency across people and settings
- Improved generalization and maintenance of skills
- Decreased parental stress
Making the Most of Parent Training
Parent training is a critical component of ABA therapy. It is beneficial for maximizing outcomes and setting your family up for success. Consider these ideas to make the most out of your parent training experience.
- Ask questions–Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek clarification, and request guidance. They’re there to support you and your family. If your therapist can’t answer your question, they can likely direct you to someone who can!
- Practice outside of therapy sessions–Practicing the skills you’re learning in parent training outside of therapy sessions is vital. Taking the behavior analyst’s feedback and practicing during your day-to-day activities will help you and your child immensely. The more consistently you practice, the more it becomes second nature.
- Maintain open lines of communication–Your supervisor can better help your family when they’re kept in the loop. Fill them in on important updates or changes, and voice your concerns. If you experience barriers, they can help troubleshoot or provide alternative recommendations.
Are you interested in seeking ABA or other therapeutic services for your child? CompleatKidz offers multidisciplinary pediatric services under one roof in clinics across North Carolina. Whether your child needs ABA, OT, PT, speech, or a combination of the four, we’re here to support their individualized needs. Click Contact Us in the upper right-hand corner to learn more about our services, including parent education and training.
References
Bearss, K., Johnson, C., Smith, T., et al. (2015). Effect of parent training vs. parent education on behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 313(15), 1524–1533. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.3150
Dogan, R. K., King, M. L., Fischetti, A. T., Lake, C. M., Mathews, T. L., & Warzak, W. J. (2017). Parent-implemented behavioral skills training of social skills. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50(4), 805–818. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.411
Factor, R. S., Ollendick, T. H., Cooper, L. D., Dunsmore, J. C., Rea, H. M., & Scarpa, A. (2019). All in the Family: A Systematic Review of the Effect of Caregiver-Administered Autism Spectrum Disorder Interventions on Family Functioning and Relationships. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 22(4), 433–457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-019-00297-x
Lerman, D. C., O’Brien, M. J., Neely, L., Call, N. A., Tsami, L., Schieltz, K. M., Berg, W. K., Graber, J., Huang, P., Kopelman, T., & Cooper-Brown, L. J. (2020). Remote Coaching of Caregivers via Telehealth: Challenges and Potential Solutions. Journal of Behavioral Education, 29(2), 195–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-020-09378-2
