ma, bcba - hurshbin

Binal ShahMA, BCBA

FAQs about Autism, ABA & Hurshbin

What is Autism spectrum Disorder?

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and communication , learning age appropriate skills in various other areas of development.

What are red flagged symptoms of ASD ?

• Inconsistency in initiating and maintaining eye contact.

• Inconsistency in Performance of various activities

• Repetitive Behavior , Play or Thoughts

• Usually in self, unless he/she is willing to interact

• Restricted in age appropriate learning

• Fixation with environment, routine, habits, way of conduct

• Inconsistent in hearing and using Speech and Language

My child does few things and doesn't do few others ,How to confirm that this is Autism?

• There is no scan or lab reports which can justify the condition or diagnosis.

• Child’s developmental history and behaviors are tracked on standardisedscale to make a diagnosis.

• A diagnosis by an experienced professional can be considered very reliable.

• Many children do not receive a final diagnosis until they are much older.

• Probability of child having Autism helps parents to plan intervention as soon as possible.

• You can ignore diagnosis and focus on Prognosis!

What age can red flagged Behaviors be justified as ASD symptoms?

• Behaviors usually come in notice as early as 1.2 or earlier than that. You do not require diagnosis at this age but awareness of symptoms being atypical is enough for parents to start required learning and training from the Professional.

• Early Intervention and appropriate training can help children overcome symptoms and learning to happen till much extent.

What are the causes of Autism?

There are possibilities.

• having an immediate family member with autism

• genetic mutations

• fragile X syndrome and other genetic disorders

• being born to older parents

• low birth weight

• metabolic imbalances

• exposure to heavy metals and environmental toxins


• A history of viral infections fetal exposure to the medications valproicacid (Depakene) or thalidomide (Thalomid)

• According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), both genetics and environment may determine whether a person develops autism.

• Multiple sources, old and newTrusted Source, have concluded that the disorder isn’t caused by vaccines, however.


• A controversial 1998 study proposed a link between autism and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, that study has been debunked by other research and was eventually retracted in 2010Trusted Source.

Is anxiety evident in Autism?

Anxiety on the Spectrum!

• Anxiety is the most common co-occurring disorder in people with autism spectrum disorders. It is understandable since their nervous systems have to work so hard just to "fit in" with our world. The constant stress on the nervous system due to all the sensory, cognitive, social and emotional vulnerabilities they experience naturally leaves them very prone to anxiety. Their nervous systems are on “high alert” leaving them anxious and on guard. It is important to help the child feel "safe and accepted", and to minimize the amount of stress in their lives.


• For many children on the spectrum anxiety is a daily experience. Anxiety is one of the most common conditions associated with autism/aspergers. Their nervous systems are so fragile that simple day to day processing and regulating our world is very taxing for them.


• What comes natural for us is hard work for them. Much chaos and confusion naturally results in anxiety. Studies have shown that even in a resting state, their nervous systems are on high alert with greater levels of stress chemicals, as compared to neurotypical (NT) people. Since the world can be very overwhelming, it makes sense that there would be stronger levels of anxiety for these children due to which they usually comfort themselves irrationally and develop challenging behaviors like obsessive compulsive behavior, oppositional defiance, rigid/inflexible thinking, perseverations, rigid reliance on rituals/routines, compulsive need for sameness, mood swings ,self stimulatory Behaviors as well as a variety of other challenging behaviors.


• These kind of indulgence makes them off from their environment causing hindrance in age appropriate learning.

• Sooner we need to intervene to rationalize their anxiety and help them build socially appropriate behaviors to comfort themselves.

• This is done theraputically and systematically by learned professionals.


• Earlier we start the therapy,easy it is to help them train in desirable Behaviors.More they be in theirselves on their own and uninturuppted , difficult and lengthy the process becomes.

• "Early Intervention is the key"

Will my child be normal?

• Right Intervention at right time with right intensity can certainly help children come long way. They can learn normal*( age appropriate) skills and do required activities.

Do Children having symptoms of ASD grow as similarly as typical kids?

• Yes absolutely. They grow following the same development pattern but need specialised systematic and timely training to learn as naturally as possible and develop age appropriate skills.

Will my child be learning normal school curriculum and attending regular school?

• Learning and attending school are two different goals!

• Though when most age appropriate skills are achieved they can be trained to be adjusted well in mainstream classroom.

• When the lag between age ,grade, expectations of the school and functional skill is major ! attending school and learning in group as well as sitting in classroom may get difficult. Many times whether child will be adjusted in school or no depends on support that school management and staff provides. Though irrespective of support from the school , learning can certainly be targeted to make it happen !

What are available treatment options?

• No Vaccine, Procedures ,Surgery or Medications are proven to be successful in working on persons temperament to change his/her Behavior pattern.

• There is absolutely no other solution than theraputic training.Thereare medication to support the intervention. They are prescribed by Developmental Pediatrician or Pediatric Neurologist or Psychiatrist if needed.


• Physiotherapist to help children achieve their optimal physical development and movement in conditions that are likely to affect physical growth in children.

• Occupational therapy helps in developing physical strength, motor coordination and stamina building in functional activities.

• Sensory Integration helps children to overcome sensory challenges and age appropriate learning to takes place.


• Speech therapy for Vocal Sound articulation, Language and Communication enhancement.

• Special education in achieving skills to learn age appropriate academics.

• Professionals in each field have their areas of expertise whose knowledge and skills are required as per the concerns and priority.

• Above are primary therapy approaches.


• There are many other trending approaches to treat* children on autism for which parents are requested to learn and see researches before putting them on implementation

• Few of these treatments are still on research, others are unproven while many are already proven life threating.

What is ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) ?

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the approach . ABA is the science of Behaviors to be changed and efficient learning.It refers to a set of principles that focus behavior change, how learning takes place. The term behavior refers to actions needed to do age appropriate activities.

• It is most researched approach and has proven techniques of to use while training functional skills to ensure growth in required areas of development .


• It's the science every therapist can learn to make their training and intervention effective and result driven.

• ABA therapist are those who has innately learned these principles and apply them in their training of functional skills to get results as timely as possible to fasten the process of learning and achieve age appropriate goals as early as possible.

• These principles should not be choice rather they should be essential learn and be part of all the training programs to make them effective.


• It's an additional cerificate offered by Board of applied Behavior Analysis ( Colorado-USA) to professionals who undergo required learning and skill training to be Certified as BCBABoard Certified Behavior Analysis.

What is Verbal Behavior (VB)Therapy?

• It is application of ABA principles in area of speech, language and communication.

• Verbal Behavior Training works on developing skills under verbal operands for systematic language acquisition.

• Functional Analysis of Individual's speech and language to modify them in desired way is the supreme and most efficient practice to build required language and communication skills.

How to choose one therapy over other?

• None of the mentioned area of training be it sensory Integration , motor coordination , speech and language or academics can be ignored as per age and priority.

• Rather all these mentioned areas and skills under them should be part of one Intervention plan to make Intervention program wholesome , concrete and practical to follow as well as replicate consistently to achieve targeted goals efficiently.

• ABA does beautiful work in embiding all the therapies together using most scientific and researched approach to make whole intervention program effective and result driven.

Myths and Facts about ABA

Myth 1:

• ABA is only for children with ASD.

• Research has shown ABA to be effective in teaching skills across all domains to typically developing children, as well as children diagnosed with developmental disabilities other than autism.

• Specifically, ABA behavior management techniques have been proven effective in reducing inappropriate behaviors and increasing appropriate behaviors among typically developing children and children with other diagnoses.


Myth 2:

• ABA is only for low functioning children.

• ABA strategies are used to teach skills in low functioning or younger kids very well but It has also been effectively used to address academic delays as well as behavior problems across all functioning levels.

• ABA is used to teach higher functioning children skills such as reciprocal conversation, commenting to peers, perspective taking, and play skills. ABA is also effective in modifying the academic curriculum by teaching small steps through discrete trials.


Myth 3

• ABA only uses aversive techniques for behaviors.

• There are set positive behavior developing Behavior modification techniques which are effective making aversive techniques less obligatory most of the time.

• Techniques are selected after measuring and justifying risk and benefit ratio. All required consents from parents/ gaurdian before employing punishment procedure is mandatory and never underestimated.


Myth 4• ABA is robotic and teaches only one way to respond.• ABA strategies are employed to train kids in all the skills which they are not

learned by self during naturally occurring opportunities.• When taught initially yes the uniformity is maintained in instructions as

well as expected responses. Once children achieve skill to respond in fixed way, variation in both instructions as well as responses is the key of training to target generalization across stimuli, people, and settings is systematically.

• The ultimate goal of all training procedures is response generalisation !


Myth 5

• ABA only addresses behavior issues and fails to address cognitive, emotional, learning and social issues.

• ABA not only addresses behavior concerns, but also recognises the need to address all types of issues a child may face. Programs are implemented to build cognitive skills, teach emotional recognition, and social skills, along with many other skills needed to function in daily living.


Myth 6

• ABA is only sitting at a table running drills.

• ABA therapists do run some programs while sitting on a table with the child. However many programs are also run while sitting on the floor and being around in the room with the child.

• Manier times training sessions are conducted at places like house, schools, parks etc.


Myth 7

• ABA is a subject which is taught in all the psychological ,Speech and physical training courses , it is good enough to train kids using these principles.

• Absolutely No.

• It's a science which is lengthy and extensive to learn as well as practice.


• ABA professionals under go intensive training program inclusive of theory as well as practicum. They undergo years of training and pass " The Big Exam" to call themselves as ABA Consultants to practice their skills independently.

• They are also obliged to take certain hours of Continuous Education Units to keep themselves updated with all new researches and work in field which others wouldn't.


• Everyone can use ABA principles but under mentoring of those who are certified from Behavior Analyst Certification Board(BACB-USA).


Myth 8

• Behavior Therapy , ABA , Behavior Modification Therapy all are different ?

• No, they all are same and use ABA principles in their training.

• None other countries than USA has the board to Certify candidates as Behavior Therapist / ABA Therapist.

• Person to be called as Behavior / ABA Therapist ,they need to be certified from BACB or should be working under supervision of BCBA only.

How long the treatment will be needed?

• There is no one answer to this question.

• It depends on the age at which the right Intervention starts!

• Here the race is with the age of the child.Later the intervention , Larger the lag between age and functionality, more skills to address which gets more difficult and lengthy.

• Sooner the right Intervention starts earlier the results are seen and child starts learning age appropriate skills.

How to select Therapy/ Therapist?

Learn about :

• Qualification/ Credentials of the Therapist

• Additional Learning Certifications

• Approach they Believe in

• Training Protocols they Follow

• Intervention Plan on Paper

• Data & Documentation System

How to select Therapy/ Therapist?

Learn about :

• Evaluation System

• Communication System

• Team

• Enthusiasm

How many hours of therapy is needed?

• 4-6 hours of therapy everyday is essential.

• Having very few ABA therapist in India. We divide theraputic hours into intensive skill development hours and Support work from which we recommend minimum 1.5 hours of intensive therapy and 6 - 8 hours of additional support work.

• Intensive therapy is conducted at the center from ABA trained therapist while parents / care takers / Shadows are trained to carry out support at home and other interactive settings.

How can we say that therapy is going well?

• When we are progressing on our penned down plan and slowly slowlytrying to match skills with the expectations of child's age.

• Training should try to cover the lag between age and functionality of the child to be called as appropriate.

Can a Parent be Therapist?

• Absolutely yes.

• All parents have to be therapist for their kids. Though they can implement intervention effectively, whether they would do it or no is questionable!

• Parents have many other roles to play other than being therapist which makes them exhausted and overwhelmed.

• Certainly parents are worried about their future, many times they are yet into the guilt or in Denial mode.

Can a Parent be Therapist?

• Once training is given by therapist, soon the progress begins to be noticeable which itself becomes motivating to parents to think rationally without going into the trap of their own anxieties. Parental anxiety and Expectations hinders the consistency and efficacy of the training, making process lengthy and delayed most of the time.

• Parents can certainly do training once they make up their mind but only under guidance and supervision of trained professionals.

• " Reading and Seeing videos are not enough, Trial and Error kills important years of children's life making development delayed "

What is " HurshBin Child Development and Behavior (ABA) Services?

• We are ABA service provider since 2016.Founder of HurshBin, Ms. Binal Shah has graduation and Post graduation degrees in education and psychology. She has learned Oral Placement Therapy till level 2 and is credited with BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) from BACB- USA.

• Our team of Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapists, Educators, Sports trainers, extensively study and apply ABA principles in their training procedures to make them effective and result oriented.

How to start intervention with HurshBin?

• Assessment --Plan—Intervention

• Individual's Training

• Parent's Training

• Teacher's Training

• Shadow's Training

• Caretaker's Training

How to start intervention with HurshBin?

• Our skill development program includes assessment and intervention in following 9 areas for 60+ skills through 900+ planned tasks.

How to start intervention with HurshBin?• Attention and Cooperation

• Sensory Integration and Motor Coordination

• Speech Language and Communicatio

• Play and Lesiur

• Social Interaction and Group Behavior

• Activities of Functional Living

• Academic Readiness

• Emotional Regulation

• Vocational Independence

Training locations?

• Clounine hospital, Malad West.

• Surya Hospital, Santacruz West.

• Home BasedTraining

• School Based Training

How to know more about ABA?

• Visit :www.hurshbin.com

Contact :- 8169985469- [email protected] [email protected]

ma, bcba - hurshbin

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