Have you ever wondered about the differences between getting ABA therapy services in a center versus in your home? Read along as we share some key features about both settings.
Applied Behavior Analysis, also known as ABA, is an approach that can be used with children on the Autism Spectrum to encourage behavior change; it can help children learn daily living activities, learn social skills, and build meaningful relationships. ABA can be practiced anywhere, but the most common therapy settings are center-based and in the child’s home. When deciding which to choose for your child, each environment has their own advantages.
Advantages of Center-Based ABA Therapy
Receiving ABA therapy services in a center-based setting allows for elimination of distractions that would be at home, such as parents, siblings, and all the child’s favorite toys. The advantages of center-based ABA therapy should not be ignored.
- Parents have more flexibility when needing to schedule other everyday tasks when given the opportunity of dropping their child off at a center-based program.
- ABA center-based programs can prepare children for educational settings to establish routines and gain social skills with peers their age.
Advantages of In-Home ABA Therapy
In-home ABA therapy may be more comfortable for the parents and child receiving therapy services. Especially when first starting, some parents may have a difficult time leaving their child in an ABA center for more than a few hours. There are two benefits to in-home ABA therapy that should be considered.
- Receiving in home ABA therapy can be more convenient depending on parent schedules, the number of hours recommended for therapy, and the skills that need to be worked on.
- Having parent interaction during ABA sessions allows parents to receive direct training from therapists. This helps them work on skills outside of therapy – such as potty training or morning routines.
About GBC
At GBC Autism Services, we provide ABA therapy to children with autism in the areas of Chicagoland, Peoria, Normal, Rockford, Springfield, Dekalb, and North-West Indiana. Our services include in-home and clinic-based ABA therapy, early intervention services, school consultations, and social skills groups.
The team at GBC doesn’t only focus on the behaviors that might be seen as weaknesses in children with autism. We accept and appreciate each child’s unique abilities and incorporate them into our programming. In fact, we love to learn about each child’s interests and strengths and only look to help them navigate the world better.
Receive a more in-depth explanation of in-home and center-based ABA therapy on our services page. Feel free to reach out with any questions. We’re always happy to help guide you in your process.
