Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy focuses on behavior and the thoughts or feelings associated with it. The behavior therapist, behaviorist, looks at learned behaviors and factors in the environment that brings certain behaviors out. They replace bad habits with good ones, modify bad habits, or lessen the bad habits. Behavior therapy has three different components:

1.      Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): ABA was once known as behavior modification. Using data collected from a functional behavior assessment (FBA), the ABA behaviorist creates goals and uses positive reinforcement to modify behavior. Some exercises include: positive reinforcement for useful skills and appropriate social action, no reinforcement for inappropriate behavior, and behavior modification.

 

2.      Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): The behaviorist focuses on thoughts and feelings that bring about behavior. They try to help a person deal with those thoughts and feelings and lessen the behavior. Some exercises include: discussions on coping mechanisms, controlled exploration of fear, journaling, role play, mental distractions, and breathing/ relaxation techniques.

 

3.      Social Learning Theory: The behaviorist uses observation and direct instruction to teach behavior as a cognitive process in a social setting. The person will learn through others modeling and observing natural consequences of behavior. Observations can occur from live observations in everyday life or from symbolic observations from movies, books, or music. Some exercises include: role play, social skills training, and activities in a social settings.

Behavioral therapy has been known to treat people with: phobias, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, sleep disorders, eating disorders, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar, schizophrenia, substance abuse, personality disorders, Sensory Processing disorder, and Autism. It has helped people improve social skills, not inflict self harm, function better in stressful or unfamiliar situations, improve expressions, decrease outbursts, decrease meltdowns, and recognize the need for help or medical intervention. Behavioral therapy is not a cure for a disorder; it is a way to help a person cope.

We have been working with a behaviorist for almost a year on social skills training. She started my son off with one other child his age and did structured social activities with them weekly. After working six months, they increased the social group and added four other boys (around the same age). They continued to work on the same skills in a larger group setting. Here is a list of the skills the boys have worked on thus far:

·         introducing yourself

·         expressing yourself appropriately (being polite)

·         being flexible

·         taking turns

·         making eye contact

·         listening (whole body)

·         recognizing personal space

·         noticing others feelings and responding correctly

·         dealing with conflict properly

Since starting behavioral therapy, we have notice better social skills in my son. He has developed more confidence around others and is now able to voice his concerns when he feels uncomfortable.

If you are interested in behavioral therapy for your child, talk to your child’s pediatrician, family doctor, or therapist.