| For parents conducting intensive ABA or Applied | | | | smaller sections, such as choosing clothes, putting on |
| Behavior Analysis therapy at home, collecting and | | | | underwear, putting on pants, putting on shirt, putting |
| tracking data can seem like a daunting task. Some | | | | on sock, putting on shoes, putting pajamas in |
| parents feel that they need to keep rigorous data in | | | | hamper, etc. When each step is outlined, it becomes |
| regards to every question to a degree that it | | | | easy to outline which steps were taken without |
| hampers their ability to teach effectively, while some | | | | prompt and which required prompting. This helps to |
| parents feel that they can rely on memory to track | | | | outline trends and areas that need more work. The |
| their child's progress and note both impairments and | | | | same theory can apply for any activity, including |
| improvements. The truth is that data collection is a | | | | things such as shape or color recognition, with notes |
| delicate balance between ensuring that progress is | | | | being taken of shapes or colors recognized alone and |
| properly noted without getting so wrapped up in | | | | those requiring a hint or prompt. It is important to |
| details that the lesson suffers. What follows are | | | | count only the child's first response and to be truthful |
| some basic tips for collecting data. | | | | in your data recording, as counting partial answers |
| It should first be noted that parents are encouraged | | | | can skew data and harm your progress in the long |
| to use data collection sheets. Professionally designed | | | | run. |
| to offer task analysis as well as the creation of easy | | | | In short, data collection can be a relatively simple |
| to read graphs, data collection sheets simplify | | | | process even though it is highly important. While |
| analyzing your child's progress with ABA therapy. For | | | | professional collection sheets are recommended, |
| parents who opt to create their own data records, | | | | many parents find success using their own data |
| however, there are some tips to simplify and | | | | collection methods. Applied Behavior Analysis relies |
| streamline the process. It is recommended to record | | | | heavily on the assessment of the data that is |
| data for separate sections and skills on separate | | | | collected from each lesson, but as long as the proper |
| sheets of paper and to document results only at the | | | | data is recorded and the proper points are stressed |
| end of the lesson. | | | | and worked on, ABA is designed to help your child |
| One tip many parents find helpful is to take a task | | | | function as normally as possible. |
| such as getting dressed and break it down into | | | | |