ABA Therapy

At a glance

– ABA therapy focusses on learning new skills (such as communication, social skills and even academics), while reducing challenging behaviours.

 

– It is an evidence-based treatment which uses data to measure and bring about positive changes.

 

– ABA therapy is delivered by a trained Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or ABA Therapist, supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA).

What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA is the science of behavior and learning. It is an evidence-based treatment for children with language or developmental delays, autism as well as learning difficulties.

ABA therapy programs can help:

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Improve Language & Communication
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Improve Attention (to help focus and complete tasks)
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Improve Social Skills
Improve Academic Skills (such as reading, writing)
Improve Functional Skills (such as grooming, hygiene)
Decrease Problem Behaviours

Why ABA?

Decades of research has shown that ABA is one of the most effective treatment methods for individuals with developmental delays, including autism. (Source: Autism Speaks). ABA is a versatile treatment that can be used in any setting – at home, school or the community.

The Surgeon General of the United States has stated,
“Thirty years of research has demonstrated the efficacy of applied behavioral methods in reducing inappropriate behavior and in increasing communication, learning, and appropriate social behavior”.

ABA at BE

The ABA department at BE is one of the largest in the UAE with BCBAs, BCaBAs and RBTs serving approximately 190 families in the UAE. All therapists are highly trained and are closely supervised by our BCBAs and BcaBAs with minimum 10+ years’ experience.

ABA Services at BE

Initial evaluation by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) / Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) to understand challenges and recommend services.

Age: 18 months – 16 years

Conducted by: BCBA or BCaBA

Timing: 1 hour

Cost: AED 250 + VAT

Schedule: Mon – Fri | 9 am to 6 pm

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Language, behavior & educational assessment of children using standardized tools (VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R, PEAK). Goals are also recommended in the report to advise on the way forward.

Age: 18 months – 16 years

Conducted by: BCBA or BCaBA

Timing: 3-4 hours

Cost: AED 750 + VAT

Schedule: Mon – Fri | 9 am to 6 pm

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ABA therapy focusing on communication, language, social & academic skills delivered by RBTs at our centres, home or school

Age: 18 months – 16 years

Class size: 1:1 student-teacher ratio

Lead by: Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)/ABA Therapist supervised by a BCBA/BCaBA

Schedule:

  • 5-15 hours per week, based on assessment findings
  • Delivered at the centre, home or school, depending on child’s needs

Cost:

Centre-based services:*

  • 5 hours/week (1 hour per day) – AED 3350 per month + VAT
  • 10 hours/week (2 hours per day) – AED 6300 per month + VAT

Price:

Our fixed monthly fee includes:

  • 1:1 trained behavior therapist
  • Free regular parent training
  • Updating of goals and program for the child every 4-6 weeks
  • Parent meeting and review with BCBA/BCaBA every 4-6 weeks
  • Assistance in finding a trained Learning
  • Support Assistant (LSA) for school, whenever needed
  • Ongoing daily BCBA/BCaBA case management and supervision

*Rates applicable only for centre-based services on a private-pay basis on weekdays. Please contact us for home/school-based, insurance or weekend pricing. Please note that these are only estimated prices, and the centre reserves the right to update the fees from time to time. 

ABA therapy delivered online by our specialist RBTs trained in online delivery, under the close supervision of a BCBA/BCaBA.
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  • Remote support and consultation for families living outside Dubai.
  • We assess your child, provide training to the family/existing therapist and design an individualised program that can be run at your home.
  • Ongoing remote supervision is provided to review progress.
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We provide trained Learning Support Assistants supervised by our BCBA/BCaBAs to support children in a school environment.
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  • 5 classrooms at various skill levels focussing on school readiness, social & academic skills for children aged 2-12 years.
  • 2:1 student-teacher ratio for individualized attention.​
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ABA FAQ's

No! ABA can be used for children starting 16 months all the way upto 18 years. Various assessments and programs can be used which make ABA a “lifespan approach”. There is research that has also pointed to successful use of ABA therapy with adults.

No! ABA therapy is not just used to reduce challenging behaviors, but also to adopt beneficial behaviors, such as developing language, social skills etc. The principles and techniques of ABA can be used to improve basic pre-requisite skills such as eye contact, listening and imitating. It can also help cultivate complex skills, such as reading, writing, conversing and understanding another individual’s perspective!
A few insurance companies cover ABA therapy in the UAE on a reimbursement basis. To start, please check with your insurance provider if they cover behavior therapy or behavioral health services. A psychological or developmental pediatrician’s referral may be required to confirm the necessity of services. We will discuss insurance options with you during our first consultation.
Yes and no. It depends entirely on the child’s needs and challenges that he may be facing. For many children however, Speech and Occupational therapy alone may not be enough, especially if the child has behavioral challenges, issues with eye contact, communication skills or motivation issues. Further, an intensive program such as ABA is necessary to bring a meaningful impact on children with autism. Speech or Occupational therapy programs may provide 1-4 hours of therapy per week as opposed to a minimum of 5-10 hours per week with an ABA program. Rest assured that all our teams at BE work in collaboration in order to provide a comprehensive treatment plan.
Yes! At BE, we practice the verbal behavioral approach, which focusses on teaching language through the word’s function (or purpose), rather than form (structure). The verbal behavior approach is a widely researched area which has been proven to show results in expanding language, vocabulary and even conversational skills when used with children with language or developmental delays.
No! While table-top teaching or Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT) is one approach used in ABA, it is not the defining feature. For example, incidental teaching or “natural environment training” is also an ABA method, where we follow the lead of the child in teaching them. There are so many approaches for effective teaching in ABA, that it is impossible to reduce them all into only 1 method 🙂

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