ABA / VB

ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. VB (Verbal Behavior) is a modern extension that places particular focus on building language and communication. The goal is to sustainably improve the quality of life of the child and the family by removing barriers and specifically fostering abilities.

1. What does ABA/VB achieve?

• Strengthening communication: The child learns to actively express wishes, instead of screaming or acting out of frustration.
• Structured exercises for everyday life: Complex sequences (e.g. getting dressed, washing hands) are broken down into small individual steps. This way, the child learns without being overwhelmed, until the entire sequence is confidently mastered.
• Pre-academic skills: In short, intensive practice sessions, basic skills such as concentration, following instructions, and hand-eye coordination are trained. This forms the foundation for school learning.
• Social interaction: The child learns, in a playful way, to wait, to play together, and to socially interact with others.

2. Ways of implementation: finding the right path

There are two different paths, and the best fit depends on your situation:

• Institutional path (therapist/centre): The child works intensively with specialists in a specialised facility. Advantage: high professionalism and relief for the parents during therapy time.
• Parent coaching (empowerment): A supervisor coaches the parents to make use of learning moments in completely normal everyday life themselves. Advantage: the child learns directly where life happens (at the dinner table, while playing). This strengthens the bond and is more cost-efficient.

3. Our direct help

Over the course of several years, we were intensively trained by certified ABA coaches in how to work with our daughter. We are very happy to pass on the ABA fundamentals we learned, along with valuable, practice-tested tips for everyday life.

Please note, however, that we offer this support as experienced parents and not as therapists. Due to limited time resources and the lack of formal therapeutic training, we unfortunately cannot take on ongoing, individually progressive ABA supervision or therapy.

4. Addresses of specialised therapists

To make your search easier, we share a few links through which you can find suitable therapists:

• Autism-specific support measures – autismus schweiz
• ABA Switzerland – private practitioners
• ABA Switzerland – registry