5 Ways To Help Your Child Generalize Skills At Home
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based intervention method used the treat children on the autism spectrum by teaching skills and targeting and modifying problematic behavior. ABA uses a plethora of teaching strategies that can be tailored to each client to build new skills. One such strategy is Generalization; which is the ability to use a skill in a new environment and/or under different conditions than the one first taught. Generalization is a great way to ensure a learner truly understands the objective of the skill being taught which in turn leads to skill mastery in a shorter period of time. Generalization also helps with skill maintenance as they are using that skill in new environments, with new people, and under new circumstances. If your child attends an ABA center, home is an awesome ‘new’ setting for practicing a skill for generalization. We have put together five ways you can help your child generalize skills at home.
1. Know your child’s IEP
The best way to help your child is by knowing what skills they are currently working on. Collaborate with your child’s therapist or teacher to develop treatment goals for your child and request copies of their IEP in order to become familiar with the implementation procedure to ensure accuracy and consistency.
2. Get involved
In order to help your child generalize new skills, you have to get involved. Once have their target goals from the IEP, ensure you have all the materials needed to implement and work on the skill. Teaching a new skill requires time and patience, especially for more complex skills so keep this in mind when deciding to get involved as you’ll be in it for the long haul.
3. Stick to the plan
Always follow the program procedure to the T! Any deviation may confuse your child and slow progress. If you have concerns or have teaching ideas that can aid with implementation, discuss them with your child’s team prior to altering the program to ensure everyone is on board with the change. Remember, consistency is key when teaching and generalizing new skills.
4. Reinforce!!
As soon as your child performs the skill correctly, give up all the goodies immediately to reinforce the behavior. Reinforcement is needed to increase the likelihood of your child performing the behavior again in the future.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice
Practice the skill often to ensure they master and maintain it. Remember the aim of generalization is to be able to use the skill in different environments and conditions and with new people so practice every chance you get.
Using these five tips with put you and your child on the right track to a better learning experience and to generalize new skills accurately and efficiently.