During times when staying at home is necessary, families and ABA practitioners can make the most of remote learning opportunities. Telehealth ABA services provide a unique chance to observe how a child interacts with their family and daily environment, helping practitioners tailor interventions for success at home.
Observing and Identifying Key Skills
Once a telehealth session begins, with parental consent, ask the parent to turn off the device screen and mute the audio. Simply watch and listen. Take note of areas where the child may need additional support to engage appropriately with family members. Are they struggling with communication, daily routines, or emotional regulation? Since in-person sessions often focus on structured skill-building, telehealth offers an opportunity to emphasize functional, everyday skills that enhance family interactions.
Every family has unique priorities—some may value shared mealtimes, while others enjoy family game nights. This is the perfect time to identify and teach skills that will help the child become an active and valued participant in these activities.
Aligning Therapy Goals with Family Priorities
With children spending more time at home, parents may have new goals they’d like to focus on. Increased family time can spark motivation to tackle challenging skills such as:
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Independent sleeping routines
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Toilet training
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Self-care and hygiene habits
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Household responsibilities
Many parents previously postponed these lessons for school breaks, but now presents a longer, uninterrupted period for skill development. Revisiting these conversations can encourage families to take advantage of this time to teach essential life skills.
Creating Structure with Daily Schedules
Families may now see the benefits of implementing structured routines to manage daily activities. A well-planned schedule can include:
- Wake-up and morning routines
- Schoolwork or structured learning activities
- Playtime and leisure activities
- Meals and snack breaks
- Telehealth ABA sessions
- Family activities and downtime
A predictable routine helps children feel secure and engaged while reducing behavioral challenges.
Empowering Parents as Behavior Technicians
Encouraging parents to take an active role in ABA sessions strengthens the child’s learning and minimizes regression. Parents can run some or all of the behavior technician-led programs, reinforcing consistency across environments. Additionally, involving siblings in structured activities fosters social engagement and cooperative play.
Teaching Social and Play Skills at Home
Now is the perfect opportunity to enhance sibling interactions. Parents can facilitate social skills practice by encouraging children to:
- Initiate play with a sibling
- Take turns and follow simple game rules
- Engage in structured leisure activities such as board games or card games
Simple games like Slapjack, War, Go Fish, Uno, and Connect Four provide excellent opportunities for turn-taking, strategy, and social engagement in a fun, low-pressure setting.
By leveraging remote sessions effectively, ABA practitioners can support families in making meaningful progress. Encouraging skill-building in natural environments helps children with autism thrive in their daily lives, making them more confident and engaged family members.
