When I first started ABA with my child, “measurement” sounded complicated. But really, it’s just a way to track what your child is doing so we know what’s working and what’s not.
What It Means
- Measurement is collecting data on your child’s behaviors and skills.
- This data tells us how often a behavior happens, how long it lasts, and under what conditions.
Real-Life Example
- My child had trouble asking for snacks without a tantrum. Instead of guessing if therapy was working, I started counting every time my child asked nicely vs. had a meltdown.
- Over a few weeks, I could see that with certain strategies, the number of tantrums went down and independent requests went up. That’s measurement in action.
Why It’s Important
- Helps us see progress over time
- Shows what strategies are effective
- Makes ABA therapy structured and consistent
- Lets therapists and parents make informed decisions
Types of Measurement
- Frequency (How Often) – How many times a behavior happens.
- Example: My child said “water” instead of crying 10 times today.
- Duration (How Long) – How long a behavior lasts.
- Example: Tantrum lasted 3 minutes instead of 10.
- Latency (How Quickly) – How long it takes your child to start a behavior after a prompt.
- Example: My child asked for snack 5 seconds after I prompted.
Tip from My Experience:
Measurement doesn’t have to be scary or complicated. Even keeping a small notebook or using your phone to track behaviors helps you see real progress and celebrate your child’s wins!
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