ABA Therapy In New Mexico

A study of intensive ABA therapy found that, within the first year of receiving ABA therapy treatment for 32-39 hours per week, there was a 48% success rate in a classroom setting.

We're proud to offer autism therapy in the following cities:

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• Greater Albuquerque area
• Los Lunas
• South Valley
• North Valley
• Bernalillo
• Rio Rancho
• Cedro
• Deming
• Roswell
• Santa Fe
• Grants

ABA is a safe, proven, and highly beneficial therapy for removing socially and physically harmful behaviors, including behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder.

A licensed and certified behavior therapist in a clinical setting is specifically trained to apply ABA safely and effectively, as well as to design programs in a way that reduces harmful behaviors in the long term.

However, if a therapist is not properly trained or accustomed to the child, the therapist could unintentionally make target behaviors worse or even lead to the development of new problem behaviors.

A study of intensive ABA therapy found that, within the first year of receiving ABA therapy treatment for 32-39 hours per week, there was a 48% success rate in a classroom setting.

On average, ABA therapy with a board-certified therapist can cost $120/hour. However, insurance providers can help bring the cost lower by thousands of dollars per month, depending on how many hours of ABA therapy is needed.

Don’t lose hope: There are many contributing factors that can influence the overall cost of ABA therapy, including:

• How many hours are required every week (10-20 is usually more than enough)
• The ABA therapist’s experience levels and desired rates
• The severity of autism the child experiences
• Geographic location
• The location of the therapy
• Length of time (in months or years) spent with the therapist

Applied Behavior Analysis is a type of therapy that uses reinforcement strategies to try to improve communication, social, and learning skills in children. Many experts consider ABA to be the “gold-standard” treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental conditions.

There is no cure for autism, but experts agree that ABA therapy is the best way to manage symptoms and develop independence skills. It’s important to know that autism spectrum disorder is a complicated condition that is different in every person.

ABA therapy/training is most effective if the therapy begins when children are younger than 5 years old.

Older children with ASD can also benefit from the therapy, as it helps teach social, verbal, and motor behaviors. Children also learn reasoning skills and are taught how to manage challenging behavior.

A study found that respondents of all ages who were exposed to ABA therapy were 86% more likely to meet the PTSD criteria than respondents who were not exposed to ABA.

Interestingly, adults and children both had increased chances (41 and 130%, respectively) of meeting the PTSD criteria if they were exposed to ABA.

‍Read More: PTSD Statistics and Facts

Various studies have shown evidence that early intervention using ABA leads to improved attention, focus, social and communication skills. Problem behaviors in children diagnosed at an early age with ASD are reduced by ABA.

Pro #1: Research supports ABA as an effective treatment
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‍ABA has been well researched and continues to be found an effective treatment for people diagnosed with autism. Thousands of studies have been published about ABA therapy over the years, and as early as 1972, a review of over 400 studies related to ABA and autism concluded that the therapy showed the most consistent results in patients.And in 1996, another review of over 250 studies was completed and again found ABA to be effective in treating patients with autism.

‍Pro #2: ABA therapists are well-trained
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‍ABA therapists have received extensive and formal training in behavior analysis, and they usually have a masters degree or higher. The majority of ABA programs are well supervised and therapists follow clear treatment guidelines while thoroughly documenting their progress.
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‍Pro #3: Customized and personalized ABA programs
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‍There is not a “typical” ABA program because each patient needs a program that fits their individual needs. After thorough observation and evaluation, your child’s therapist will tailor a program to fit your child’s needs. Therapists work through a variety of skills, including communication and academic, and focus on areas where your child needs specific guidance.

Con #1: Time and cost can be prohibitive

‍Children are usually advised to take as many hours of ABA each week as possible, ideally 40 hours. This amount of therapy is and can be prohibitive because of both the time and cost involved.

The problem is, many school districts don’t have the resources available to provide ABA for that many hours.Therefore, lots of children who are diagnosed with autism who do receive ABA treatment only receive them for a portion of the time suggested.

However, a child doesn’t need 40 hours of therapy for it to be effective. Programs of 20 hours per week (or less) can and are implemented with great results – although they might not be as immediate.
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‍Con #2: Qualified therapists may be hard to find
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‍Although the amount of training the majority of therapists receive is definitely a positive, on the other hand, many states and localities don’t have laws and regulations regarding licensing of ABA professionals.

Therefore, unfortunately, anyone can claim they are an ABA therapist.It’s up to the parents to be aware and to question a therapist’s qualifications, and it’s important to know that there is a Behavior Analyst Certification Board parents can check with to see if a certain therapist has gone through the necessary certification process.