Older generations of parents pushed children to attend college, land a good job, and become homeowners, among other aspirations. Modern parents mostly want the same things for their kids, but today’s moms and dads are placing greater emphasis on seeing their children thrive and be happy since that’s imperative to lifelong success.
According to a recent survey from the Pew Recent Center, 88 percent of parents want their children to attain financial stability and job satisfaction once they become adults. The poll also shows that 40 percent of parents are worried that their children may be struggling with anxiety or depression, and being unable to cope with these challenges may prevent a child from reaching their full potential.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to ensure that your little one can achieve their life goals. Providing them with consistent love and care and ensuring they get the help they need through therapies like Applied Behavior Analysis can bring about positive changes in their mood and behavior. Here’s how ABA can create foundations for lifelong prosperity and happiness in your children.
ABA Can Help to Ease Depression
ABA is a holistic way to treat depression in children and young adults since it doesn’t require the use of medication or other types of treatment. When a child is depressed, keep in mind that they’re not merely sad– it’s much, much more than that. Depression makes feelings of sadness interfere with your child’s ability to form and maintain relationships, as well as their ability to enjoy activities that they used to love.
Some signs your child may be depressed include being constantly tired, isolating themselves from friends, or refusing to participate in after-school clubs, sports, or other social activities that used to bring them happiness. Depression is prevalent in children, and in 2020, about 2.4 million kids were diagnosed with this condition.
ABA therapy can help your child reengage with their life instead of withdrawing from it, which can make depression worse. Your child will be given a schedule of activities and taught to participate mindfully. If a particular activity makes them feel bad, they may ask to come up with other activities they feel connected to or genuinely want to do. Meanwhile, if an activity makes them feel good, they’ll be encouraged to participate, which helps reinforce good patterns and weaken avoidant behaviors.
Managing depression through ABA therapy can help kids feel better and get back to enjoying what they love to do. It also teaches them how to manage their emotions through various coping skills, allowing your child to face life challenges as they grow.
ABA Fosters Independence
Being an adult requires you to have essential life skills and be independent. Independence is crucial for financial stability, personal growth, creativity, and success, which is why kids need to learn how to do things on their own. Some children may have a more difficult time being independent if they heavily rely on parents and teachers to complete daily tasks. This is why ABA therapy is often recommended to children with autism, as it can teach them a variety of skills.
For instance, for a child learning to wash their face on their own, an ABA clinician may provide an illustrated guide showing them every step of the process. The first picture will show them how to turn on the tap, and the next will show them how to put cleanser on their palm, and so on, until they’re done washing their face. For teenagers, the therapy may include practising daily activities, such as buying items from a convenience store or ordering food at a fast food chain. Teaching these skills to children with autism fosters independence and makes them more confident over time.
ABA therapy can create foundations for lifelong success in children. Be certain to consult an experienced ABA practitioner, like the ones at stridecenters.com, to help your child reach their full potential.
Brad Zelinger is the Founder and CEO of Stride Autism Centers