Question 1

My child is 2 years old but hasn't started talking. Should I be worried?

Accepted Answer

Generally, children start babbling around 4-6 months old, can say a few words around 12-18 months, and can string 2 words together to ask simple questions (e.g. "Where daddy?") or make requests (e.g. "More cookie") by 18-30 months. However, it is important to keep in mind that every child develops at a different speed. More information on language development milestones is available on Child Assessment Service website. If you have any concerns, you may wish to consult a professional.

Question 2

My child does not look at people. Should I be worried?

Accepted Answer

Abnormal eye contact is associated with many things, including shyness, neuroticism, anxiety, fear, and autism. It may not warrant any concern if presented alone, but keep an eye out for other warning signs, including odd and repetitive behaviors, slow or no development of language, etc. If there is a serious cause for concern, it is often better to start intervening early. Consult a professional when in doubt.

Question 3

My child has not been diagnosed, but I notice that he is delayed in certain areas compared to his peers. Can I enroll him in ABA training without a diagnosis?"

Accepted Answer

Certainly. ABA has been demonstrated to be effective on many groups -- children with various special needs, typically developing children, and even adults! You do not need to have a diagnosis to enroll in ABA training, and you definitely do not need a diagnosis to benefit from it. If you are worried about your child's progress, book a free consultation to chat with us.

Question 4

My child has frequent temper tantrums. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

Temper tantrums (and many other problematic behaviors such as hitting, biting, and screaming) serve a function for the child. To reduce these behaviors, we teach the child apporpriate behaviors that can achieve the same function.
 
Regarding what you can do, more information would be needed to answer this question, including what the behavior looks like, how intense or frequent it happens, when it usually occurs, what function does it serve for the child, and the child's ability. If you would like to know more, book a free consultation to chat with us.

Question 5

What is the difference between ABA and ST and OT?

Accepted Answer

ABA focuses on behaviors-- we can teach a wide array of behaviors, as well as reduce problematic behaviors.
 
Like speech therapy (ST) and occupational therapy (OT), ABA teaches language and gross and fine motor skills. In addition to those areas, we also focus on learning readiness skills that enable children to benefit from other classes. These skills include sitting for longer periods of time, being motivated to learn, compliance to instructions, look at and imitating teachers, and much more. Without these skills, it would be difficult for children to learn efficiently from other classes.
 
ABA also emphasizes on teaching play skills, social skills, and behavior management (e.g. dealing with aggression, tantrums, etc.), all of which is vital in helping a child adapt and thrive in different environemnts (e.g. home, school, etc.). ABA would be suitable for children who need special training across multiple areas of development. 
 
On the other hand, ST and OT are more specialized within their areas of expertise. For example, ST implements oral motor exercises to improve articulation or stuttering; while OT is better equipped with advanced training for motor-related skills.

Question 6

How many sessions does my child need? Why does ABA need to be so intensive?

Accepted Answer

Consistency in the child's environment and expectations demanded from him/her are crucial for the success of ABA interventions. Therefore, the more time spent in ABA training, the faster he/she will improve. In general, we recommend children to attend at least 3 sessions per week; however, each child may have different needs. To find out the best choice for your child, please contact us directly for a free consultation session.