ABA for Change
Applied Behaviour Analysis & Speech Pathology
Making growth and development fun with evidence based approaches
Adelaide based ABA therapist specialists
ABA Therapy and Speech Therapy
Mobile ABA Therapists – We come to you
Together we will design an individualised therapy program for your child.
Our multidisciplinary team collaborates closely to provide a tailored therapy program teaching skills that are important to your child and family whilst affirming their neurodiversity. Our programs are person-centred, fun and progressive to help your child achieve increased independence and open doors to new opportunities. ABA therapy is highly individualised and tailored to the specific needs and abilities of each child. It typically involves breaking down complex skills into smaller, more manageable steps and teaching those steps through repetition and positive reinforcement.
ABA Therapy and Speech Therapy
Our services
in Adelaide for kids with autism
We create tailored treatment plans to cater for all your child’s developmental, social and behavioural needs, so they have all the tools and resources they need to learn and grow.
ABA Therapy program
ABA Therapy
We offer a range of ABA programs, from Early Intensive Interventions (EIBI) with 20+ hours/week of therapy to smaller and more targeted skill based programs where your child works exclusively with our most senior clinicians twice per week.
Speech Therapy program
Speech Therapy
We offer mobile speech therapy for children with autism and other developmental delays. Our speech therapists have extensive experience providing therapy to autistic children who have difficulties attending traditional speech therapy.
ABA Therapy and Speech Therapy
Supporting the autistic community for more than 10 years!
Alexandra was the very first to pursue and complete her certification as a Behaviour Analyst in South Australia and founded ABA for Change in 2017.
At ABA for Change we have a solid team of senior clinicians working closely together supporting each and every client, each with their own special interests and field of expertise. Alexandra and Kate have worked together since 2013 and shaped ABA for Change into the highly specialised service provider it is today!
ABA Therapy and Speech Therapy
Helping children with Autism learn and thrive with proven early intervention strategies from a multidisciplinary team
Our highly skilled team is committed to using effective and evidence based approaches to teaching your child new skills, building relationships, and promoting independence. With over 10 years experience in providing early intensive intervention programs for children with autism.
Focused skill based teaching
We are excited to also offer focused skill based teaching programs where all therapy is provided by our most senior clinicians for children who engage in some behaviour of concern. Problems of concern often lead to restrictive lifestyles and exclusion and are more common in people with autism. But behaviours of concern are not inevitable!
Behaviours of concern can be reduced and prevented when children are explicitly taught the skills of communication, toleration, and other functional behaviours in the type of challenging situations that have produced problem behaviour in the past. Thanks to Dr Greg Hanley and his team of clinicians, research on how to best support children with behaviours of concern has advanced substantially in just the last few years and socially significant gains can be made using compassionate and person-centred approaches when teaching comes from a place of joy empowering the child.
The ABA for Change intake process
We will send an info pack and make a time for an initial phone consultation.
One of our senior ABA therapists make a home visit for an initial consultation.
First assessments are made and results shared with the family
A 2-3 month startup begins working exclusively with your ABA therapist
Together with the family we set long term goals and the structure of the ongoing program.
About our ABA team in Adelaide
Alexandra Ahlgren
Clinical Director
Alexandra began her career in Applied Behaviour Analysis in 2013 when she commenced employment as an Behaviour Therapist with children with developmental delays. In her role as a Program Supervisor and Clinical Director, she has extensive experience in overseeing ABA programs for clients as young as 18 months and up to young adults.
Kate Smith
Program Supervisor
Kate has been working in the field of ABA since 2013, beginning as a Behaviour Therapist while completing her undergraduate studies in psychology. In 2017 Kate completed her Masters in Applied Behaviour Analysis through Arizona State University, became a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA), and stepped into the role as Program Supervisor (it was a big year!)
Ellonye Keniry
Speech Pathologist
Ellonye completed her Master of Speech Pathology through Flinders University in 2022 and prior to graduating she worked as a speech therapy assistant providing one-on-one therapy for children with limited language, play and social skills, and sensory challenges. To provide the best possible therapy to her clients, Ellonye has pursued and completed a wide range of specialised training in the areas of play, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and sensory regulation.
Frequently asked questions about ABA therapy
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What is the success rate of ABA therapy?
What skills can be developed through ABA therapy?
How long does ABA therapy take?
How many hours of therapy does my child need?
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Will my young child cope with many hours of therapy?
What if my child doesn’t have a diagnosis yet?
How does ABA work?
What will my child’s therapy team look like?
A Program Supervisor at ABA for Change:
- Is a Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) or has a Masters degree in ABA
- Completes assessment and re-assessment of your child’s skills
- Compiles assessment reports and progress reports to summarise your child’s current skills and progress across time
- Designs and implements skill building programs and behaviour support plans
- Oversees the overall progression and the progression of each skill, and makes the necessary changes to ensure continual development
- Trains and provides ongoing supervision to your therapists
- Provides ongoing parent training
- Consults with your child’s other support teams e.g. Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, childcare, kindergarten or school.
- Conducts monthly team meetings with all team members to ensure optimal progress and discuss challenges or concerns
- Helps prepare for NDIS reviews
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What is the success rate of ABA therapy?
Research has consistently shown that ABA can be effective in improving communication, social skills, academic performance, and daily living skills in individuals with ASD. It can also be effective in reducing problem behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, and tantrums. Intensive ABA Programs have been shown to be associated with the most dramatic improvements in prognosis for children with ASD.
What skills can be developed through ABA therapy?
Skills across all developmental domains can successfully be addressed including communication, language, social skills, personal independence, cognition, etc. Research has shown ABA programs are effective in teaching a wide range of skills to people across their lifespan and to reduce behaviours that present a barrier to building safe and positive relationships to people in their lives.
How long does ABA therapy take?
Many of our young clients have intensive programs for 2-3 years and we then facilitate a smooth and seamless transition with a gradual decrease in therapy hours often in combination with hours dedicated to transition into school.
Is ABA therapy effective for kids with autism
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy has been widely used for many years as an effective intervention for children with autism. ABA therapy focuses on understanding and modifying behaviors by using evidence-based strategies and principles of learning theory. Here are some reasons why ABA therapy can be effective for children with autism:
- Targeted Intervention: ABA therapy offers individualized treatment plans based on the specific needs and goals of each child. It involves the assessment of a child’s behavior to identify areas of improvement and develop interventions accordingly. The therapy targets a wide range of skills, including communication, social interaction, self-care, academic skills, and adaptive behaviors.
- Data-Driven Approach: ABA therapy utilizes data collection and analysis to monitor progress and make data-driven decisions. By tracking behavior and measuring changes over time, therapists can determine the effectiveness of interventions, make adjustments as needed, and ensure progress is being made.
- Positive Reinforcement: ABA therapy emphasizes the use of positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors. By reinforcing positive behaviors, such as appropriate social interactions or communication skills, ABA therapists can increase the likelihood of those behaviors recurring. This helps children develop and generalize new skills across different environments and situations.
- Behavior Reduction: ABA therapy also focuses on reducing challenging behaviors that interfere with learning and daily functioning. Through functional behavior assessments, therapists identify the underlying reasons for challenging behaviors and develop strategies to address them effectively. ABA therapy provides alternative behaviors and teaches coping skills to replace problem behaviors.
- Generalization of Skills: ABA therapy aims to help children generalize their skills to various settings and situations. Therapists work on teaching skills in different environments, with different people, and across various activities, ensuring that learned behaviors are transferable and functional in the child’s everyday life.
- Parent Involvement and Training: ABA therapy typically involves active participation from parents or caregivers. Parents are provided with training and guidance on implementing ABA strategies and techniques in daily routines, promoting consistency and generalization of skills beyond therapy sessions.
While ABA therapy has demonstrated effectiveness for many children with autism, it is essential to note that each child is unique, and different interventions may work better for some individuals than others. It is crucial to consider the child’s individual needs, preferences, and the qualifications and experience of the ABA therapist when making decisions about therapy options.