ABA for Change

Applied Behaviour Analysis & Speech Pathology

Making growth and development fun with evidence based approaches

Adelaide based ABA therapist specialists

aba for change adelaide south australia aba therapy
aba for change adelaide south australia

ABA Therapy and Speech Therapy

Mobile ABA Therapists – We come to you

We provide ABA programs and speech pathology to children all across Adelaide, using a mobile service model that works with the child in home, in school/preschool, or in the community. ABA for Change provides ABA programs to children who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID) or other developmental delays. We will teach your child the skills they need in the environment where they need them! We know and understand how crucial the early years are when you have a child with ASD, so you can rely onour team to be by your side to ensure your child gets the best possible start in life. We use proven evidence-based techniques to help your child initiate and understand communication, increase participation and manage challenging behaviours.

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 for change adelaide south australia aba therapy

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 adelaide autism
aba therapy adelaide

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

aba for change adelaide south australia

We will send an info pack and make a time for an initial phone consultation.

aba for change adelaide south australia

One of our senior ABA therapists make a home visit for an initial consultation.

aba for change adelaide south australia

First assessments are made and results shared with the family

aba for change adelaide south australia

 A 2-3 month startup begins working exclusively with your ABA therapist

aba for change adelaide south australia

Together with the family we set long term goals and  the structure of the ongoing program.

About our ABA team in Adelaide

applied behavioural analyst alexandra ahlgren

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 Whitehead Applied Behaviour Analyst

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!)

applied behavioural analyst alexandra ahlgren

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?

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.

How many hours of therapy does my child need?

Research has shown that the best outcomes for young children with autism are seen with intensive ABA therapy with up to 30 hours/week of therapy; however recommendations will be individualised once we have met with you and discussed your child’s needs and circumstances in more detail. We are well aware that an intensive early intervention program is a big commitment for families, both in terms of time as well as financial resources, and we do also offer smaller, more targeted ABA programs with fewer hours per week where we can address a skill or behaviour of major significance.

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Will my young child cope with many hours of therapy?

Therapy sessions are fun and structured to meet your child where they are at. Skills are built gradually and systematically to ensure that it’s not overwhelming or too challenging for your child. Our aim is always that your child is happy, relaxed and engaged in sessions, that’s when we see learning happen.

What if my child doesn’t have a diagnosis yet?

We don’t require a referral to work with your child and can still help your child with challenges that they are facing even if there isn’t a formal diagnosis of autism. ABA is based on the principles of learning which apply to all people, not just children with autism. Your child does not need to have a diagnosis of autism to benefit from ABA. Many children with other developmental delays or children who engage in challenging behaviour can benefit from our support in achieving their goals. Contact us to discuss your child’s unique needs and we can assist in determining if we are the right service provider for your child.

How does ABA work?

An ABA program will use a developmental assessment to identify your child’s current skills and skill deficits, and then develop an individualised set of goals . Each goal will be taught by breaking down complex skills into smaller, easy to learn steps that we practice until your child can confidently and independently do them. Once your child can consistently do these easy steps, they are put back together and increased in complexity until your child is able to do the big picture skill independently.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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