Social Skills Groups are coming up soon at the American Behavioral Solutions (ABS) Therapy Centers, so it would be good in this space to share details about them so that everyone is more informed about what they are and how children benefit from participating in them.
A social skills group is a structured setting where individuals, typically children with social communication challenges.

In this space we usually discuss elements of importance to our clients, their families and the professionals at American Behavioral Solutions, from the perspective of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Today, and within the ABA universe, we are interested in addressing the issue of two main settings where this therapy is commonly utilized, as well as its specificities.

It's summer time and also time to travel, enjoy, and have fun with our kids. Finding vacation spots that suit everyone can be challenging in all circumstances, and it may be thought that the task is even more complex for families with neurodivergent members. However, from the perspective of many families, vacationing with autistic (or neurodivergent) children can be a rewarding experience with the right preparation and planning.

This June, in celebration of Father’s Day, we have been motivated to reflect on the experience of fathering for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is not a topic on which much information is available, however, some autistic parents have shared their experiences on various platforms, which, at first glance and once again, support the certainty that each individual is unique so that their perception of the parental role is also unique.

Parent involvement is a key factor in a child’s success with Applied Behavior Analysis therapy. While parents receive individual parent training at home, participating in group parent training offers additional benefits that can significantly impact both the child and family. These group sessions go beyond one-on-one instruction, providing a community-driven learning experience that enhances skills, support, and confidence.

A few days ago, I was reading an article about Paula C. Durbin-Westby, a disability rights activist who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. She writes articles on her blog and other media and participates in speaking engagements on autism and disability rights. In 2011, Paula founded Autism Acceptance Day and Month.

Part of our work as ABA providers includes conducting parent training sessions. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) practice highlights the critical role of parent trainings and its profound impact on the success of interventions for individuals with developmental disabilities or behavioral challenges. Part of the body of theoretical and practical knowledge of ABA.

Saying goodbye to a client and family we have worked with for a long time can be difficult. Often, our clients are very young, and we see them grow and develop thanks to our work as ABA providers. Other natural variables such as the client's initiation into school may influence the reduction of therapy hours, as well as events such as moving out of the service area or many other circumstances that determine the termination of services.

This post can be seen as a continuation of the one we did exactly one year ago, in which we talked about how to make Christmas a happy time for everyone. In particular, we described ways to ensure a merry season for those families whose members have special needs. The goal remains the same: to contribute to the happiness of our clients but this time, we bring therapeutic elements from the perspective of Applied Behavior Analysis.