Does ABA Therapy Include Speech Therapy?

ABA therapy Chicago and speech therapy are 2 common approaches aimed at improving an individual’s language, speech, and communication issues. Although such strategies have differences. They still complement each other as both are aimed at improving a child’s way of life.

ABA therapists and speech-language therapists can, therefore, work together to deliver a more effective therapy plan.

What is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is a common type of treatment that can help improve the communication skills of an individual. Most people think speech therapy is for children only who are suffering from speech disorders that affect pronunciation. However, it also helps children who are struggling with written, as well as spoken English. This also includes language disorders, as well as reading challenges like Dyslexia.

Speech-language pathologists, or therapists, most commonly treat such issues. Initially, they start by first identifying the kind of language or speech problems a child is suffering from. Then design the type of treatment specifically aimed at solving or overcoming those problems.

Apart from speech and language issues, speech therapists also aim to solve problems related to expressive language, social communication, and reading and spelling.

Does ABA Therapy Include Speech Therapy?

During ABA therapy, ABA therapists aim to develop skills in individuals that are socially important and meaningful.  For instance, for a child that is lacking conversational skills, the child’s therapist makes use of behavior analytic principles in order to teach these socially significant behaviors.  For instance, a child is lacking important communication skills and the child’s therapist makes use of behavior analytic principles in order to teach this type of social behavior. It is highly crucial to ensure a child possesses these important behaviors in order to fit in society.

Therefore, ABA therapists work with speech therapists in order to help with the progress of the child. To help them achieve their higher potential.

How ABA Therapy and Speech Therapy Work Together?

ABA therapists and Speech therapy work together and are extremely important to enhance the outcomes and success of a child’s treatment. Both therapists are instrumental members of a child’s treatment with the similar end goal of increasing the child’s expressive and receptive language skills. Both the therapists possess adequate knowledge and experience in order to help a child achieve appropriate speech and language skills.

Moreover, both professional therapists help provide adequate insight on the appropriate targets in each child. And also individualize the aims and objectives based on the current instructional materials or learning opportunities. In addition to that, both therapists make use of the collected data. Which is very helpful in evaluating how the child is performing throughout the whole therapy.

It is important to note that children with Autism, or other disorders, lack numerous nonverbal, functional, and social communication skills. However, a speech-language pathologist or therapist will effortlessly work with a child in order to help a child increase their vocabulary and language skills, and also to express their thoughts. 

But, a challenge most speech therapists face is the child’s communication problems as a result of speech and other motor deficits. In simple words, if a delay in speech is less of a speech problem, but more of a behavioral issue. 

This is because a person’s ability to learn a language is more of a behavioral issue. Thus, an autistic child may not be able to acquire the necessary communication and language skills as they might be acting out during those therapy lessons.  But, if a child is unable to learn such language and speech skills. They might end up frustrated, thus, resulting in abrupt behavioral problems. 

But, whatever the circumstances, ABA therapists and speech therapists must work together in order to come to the most effective solution for a child. 

As a result of both therapists working together, the outcomes will be more effective and desirable. A speech therapist’s strength lies in the ability to understand the child’s anatomy and physiology behind the production of speech. 

Speech therapists

Speech therapists also know the important oral and motor skills needed in a child suffering from various orders, which are also taught in ABA therapies. 

Although ABA therapy focuses more on the verbal behavior of a child. Such as echoic, tact, and so on. Speech therapy can also add to these skills by helping them focus on various aspects such as swallowing. Communication skills, sign language, and so on. 

Thus, the most important element of the partnership between these two therapists is the share of expertise.

Even though the work of a  speech therapist and ABA therapist might overlap when working with a child together, it is still the responsibility of both parties to work proactively and productively together. 

For instance, in case there is new data-based research in the domain of the speech therapist. It is crucial to bring that information to the ABA therapist’s attention as well. Moreover, if either one of the therapists has learned a unique technique of teaching that is designed to help a child learn specifically. It is important to share such methods with each other. 

This act of sharing such information will encourage open communication, and will also result in a  breakthrough or advancement in that child’s therapy.  Remember, the aim of both therapists is to make the lives of both, the child and family members, easy.

Why Collaboration of ABA and Speech Therapy is Important

There are numerous benefits of combining ABA therapy with speech therapy. Children with Autism have numerous needs and also require a spectrum of interventions. Both speech therapists and ABA therapists are part of the professionally trained group that aims to help a child with Autism. Or other disorders, to succeed and achieve their higher potential.

However, consultation and evaluating progress during the whole therapy is also highly crucial, to help aim at and overcome any deficits if present. 

It is crucial for ABA providers to attend speech-language therapy sessions. And for speech therapists to attend ABA therapy of a child. This way, both will learn and evaluate where a child stands in therapy, and where the child needs improvement. 

Thus, having a professional and dedicated team who are on the same page is the key to successful programming.