ABA Data Collection: Step Four of the Turn Autism Around Approach

Free Workshop

Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays

Collecting data for the sake of collecting data is a waste of your time. That’s why in the fourth step of the Turn Autism Around approach, I share a variety of ways to collect data, and then I show you how to use that data to analyze and understand how to help a child. In my newest book Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism, I give you many examples of how to use ABA data collection so that you can see what’s most effective for your child.

Michelle C. knew that she needed to take a language sample before she took my course and after my course so that she had baseline data to work with to measure her daughter’s success. I recommend three simple ways to collect language data:

  • Set a timer and count every single word or sound in that time interval.
  • Collect a language sample with a video.
  • Take a video of you engaging with your child at a table or on the floor.

If you’re a busy parent and don’t want to get into a ton of data, I suggest that you try the calendar system. We use a calendar to keep track of Lucas’s self-injurious behavior, the correlation between his headaches and allergy shots, and to track medication changes. You can also track ABC data (antecedent, behavior & consequence) either on a calendar or on paper so that you can begin to put together a picture of why certain behaviors are triggered.

Don’t be overwhelmed. In my book, I’ll teach you the steps you need to take to collect easy data and get a good summary of the child’s behavior and progress. I provide examples and forms so that you can see how other parents and professionals use this data to analyze whether a child’s therapy, medication, or circumstances need to be adjusted. And you’ll be able to assess more clearly when a child is succeeding and thriving.

You’ll Learn

  • How to collect data so that it can be graphed and presented to insurance companies or providers.
  • The three ways to collect a language sample so that you have a baseline to compare the child’s progress against.
  • Why you need to be more specific in your data collection than simply writing “had a tantrum”.
  • I use a clicker counter only to count words, smiles, and pro-social behavior because it reinforces positive actions.

Resources

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Ready to Start Turning Autism (or Signs of Autism) Around?
Ready to Start Turning Autism
(or Signs of Autism) Around?

Get started with Dr. Mary Barbera’s proven strategies and take the next step toward real progress today.