Ethical ABA Assent Practice in New Hampshire
Respectful, assent-based ABA therapy that honors your child's autonomy, preferences, and right to participate voluntarily in their treatment journey.
What is Assent-Based ABA Therapy?
Prioritizing ethical practice and child autonomy
Assent-based ABA therapy represents an ethical evolution in applied behavior analysis, emphasizing the child's ongoing agreement and voluntary participation in treatment. According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Ethics Code, practitioners must respect client dignity and obtain ongoing assent throughout treatment.
Our BCBA-supervised assent practice in Concord, Manchester, and Nashua goes beyond parental consent to continuously honor each child's preferences, comfort level, and right to refuse or pause activities. This approach builds trust, reduces therapy-related stress, and creates more meaningful, sustainable outcomes by ensuring children are active, willing participants in their own growth.
Key Benefits
How this program supports your child's growth
Increased child engagement and cooperation
Reduced stress and anxiety during therapy sessions
Empowered decision-making and autonomy
Stronger therapeutic relationships
Enhanced learning outcomes through voluntary participation
Improved generalization of skills
Greater respect for child preferences and boundaries
More ethical and compassionate treatment approach
Core Principles
Respect for Autonomy
Honoring each child's right to participate in decisions about their own therapy, fostering self-determination and dignity.
Active Engagement
Continuously checking for willingness to participate, ensuring therapy remains a collaborative and consensual process.
Ethical Practice
Following ethical guidelines that prioritize the child's comfort, safety, and psychological well-being throughout treatment.
Positive Rapport
Building trust through respectful interactions that acknowledge and respond to the child's preferences and communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is assent in ABA therapy?
Assent in ABA therapy means continuously seeking and respecting a child's willingness to participate in treatment activities. Unlike consent (which is given by parents/guardians), assent acknowledges the child's ongoing agreement and right to refuse or pause activities, promoting ethical and respectful practice.
How is assent-based ABA different from traditional ABA?
Assent-based ABA prioritizes the child's voluntary participation and preferences throughout therapy. Therapists continuously check for willingness, offer choices, respect refusals, and adjust activities based on the child's comfort level. This creates a more collaborative, respectful relationship compared to approaches that may prioritize compliance over consent.
Does assent-based ABA work as effectively as traditional methods?
Research shows that assent-based approaches often lead to better outcomes because children are more engaged, motivated, and cooperative when they feel respected and autonomous. Voluntary participation reduces stress, builds stronger therapeutic relationships, and enhances learning and skill generalization.
How do you teach assent to nonverbal children?
We honor all forms of communication including body language, facial expressions, vocalizations, and behavior. Our BCBAs teach alternative communication methods and carefully observe each child's unique ways of expressing preferences, ensuring that assent practices are accessible to all children regardless of verbal ability.
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