Trauma-informed care has become an important focus in ABA. It’s all about assuming and addressing unseen experiences that may leave learners sensitive to their environment. Trauma isn’t limited to huge, life-altering events; it can be a collection of smaller experiences that shape a person’s behavior.
To visualize this, think of a healed bone. Even after it looks fine on the outside, it may remain sensitive or vulnerable to re-injury. Trauma works similarly – we may not see it, but it still impacts the individual. This framework of sensitivity and care is the essence of trauma-informed care. Below, we’ll explore key aspects of integrating this approach within ABA strategies.
What is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care involves adopting a compassionate and holistic mindset when working with learners. It’s about always assuming that trauma might exist, even when we don’t see visible signs. Dr. Gregory Hanley highlights the concept of “trauma-assumed care,” emphasizing that sensitivity should be built into every interaction we have.
What Should You Know About Trauma?
Trauma isn’t always visible. It can manifest in subtle ways, such as withdrawal, avoidance, or a need for control.
It can act as:
- A setting event, meaning it indirectly triggers or influences behavior.
- A function of behavior, explaining why certain actions occur.
As BCBAs, our role is to uncover these potential influences while maintaining sensitivity.
Why Trauma-Informed Care Matters
Trauma-informed care isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy. It’s a philosophy of empathy, patience, and persistence. Here’s why it’s critical in ABA:
- It builds trust, strengthening the foundation for learning and growth.
- It recognizes and respects the dignity of each learner.
- It helps us create experiences that promote healing alongside skill acquisition.
How Does Trauma-Informed Care Relate to ABA?
Behavior doesn’t occur in isolation; it’s shaped by past experiences and current settings. Trauma-informed care aligns with ABA because it encourages us to look beyond the surface and consider the why behind behaviors.
4 Key Principles to Remember in Trauma-Informed ABA
When trauma-informed principles guide ABA, your focus shifts from simply changing behaviors to understanding them deeply. This creates hope, resilience, and ensures interventions are healing – not harmful.
- Start with relationship building (this underpins all success).
- Always ensure the learner’s environment promotes safety and comfort.
- Assume compassion is non-negotiable, no matter the learner’s history.
- Strive for positive experiences at every touchpoint with the learner.
Prioritize Relationship Building
Building strong, trusting relationships with learners is at the heart of trauma-informed care. Without trust, progress in any ABA program becomes much harder to achieve.
How to Support Relationship Building
To truly support relationship-building with learners, it’s important to see the world through their eyes. Imagine what it feels like to be in their shoes and ask yourself some key questions:
- Is the environment created for them calming, or does it add stress?
- Does the task in front of them feel exciting and empowering, or overwhelming and frustrating?
Pay close attention to non-verbal cues, even the smallest ones. Facial expressions, body language, or avoidance behaviors can tell you so much about how a learner is feeling, even when they don’t have the words to say it out loud. For example, if a learner consistently avoids a certain activity, it could signal that something about it causes discomfort. This is your opportunity to pause and re-evaluate.
Validation is key here. When you take the time to show learners that you understand and respect their feelings, you pave the way for trust. Validate the moments when they’re upset or hesitant – a simple, “I see that this feels hard for you” goes a long way in showing empathy and care.
Why Assent Matters
Assent means getting the learner on board with tasks and activities. Whether verbal or non-verbal, it’s all about ensuring the learner is on board with what you’re doing together. Watch for signs of assent – are they engaging willingly? Is their posture open and relaxed? Does their mood seem positive? These cues matter because they reflect the learner’s comfort and willingness to cooperate.
Collaborate with Parents & Caregivers
Trauma-informed care doesn’t only apply to learners. Families and caregivers often bring their own stress, challenges, or even trauma into the equation. Navigating parenting, particularly for children with unique needs, is no small task.
How to Approach Families with a Trauma-Informed Lens
Families are often navigating immense pressures, balancing the needs of their child alongside other responsibilities – and they’re doing the best they can. Approaching them with understanding, not judgment, lays the groundwork for trust and collaboration.
1. Start with empathy
- Recognize that caregivers are under stress and doing their best.
- Avoid being overly critical or dismissive of their emotions.
2. Validate their concerns
For example, if a parent expresses guilt or frustration, acknowledge their feelings rather than brush them off.
3. Communicate with care
- Provide feedback in a constructive, compassionate tone.
- Avoid overwhelming parents by offering support in manageable steps.
4. Collaborate closely
- Invite parents to contribute to goal-setting.
- Listen to their insights – they know their child best.
By engaging families in a collaborative and supportive way, we create a stronger foundation for learners to thrive.
Collaboration is Key
Trauma-informed care thrives when we work together as a team. Caregivers, educators, and other stakeholders bring valuable perspectives and insights that enhance the effectiveness of ABA interventions.
Why Collaboration Matters
Goals are more meaningful and achievable when everyone contributes. That’s why regular communication keeps everyone aligned and helps address challenges early.
3 Steps for Effective Collaboration
Collaboration is the key to creating meaningful and impactful plans that truly support the learner. By bringing together caregivers, teachers, and other team members, you ensure that every perspective is valued.
- Include all stakeholders when designing goals and interventions.
- Ask for input from caregivers and teachers – they are essential partners.
- Regularly check in throughout the process to make necessary adjustments. The goal is to ensure that the plan continues to meet both the learner’s needs and family expectations.
When it comes to working with learners, it’s always a good idea to assume that trauma might be part of their story – even if you don’t see it. Starting every interaction with kindness and compassion goes a long way. Trust is everything, and creating strong relationships lays the groundwork for progress that actually sticks. And don’t forget about assent – whether it’s verbal or nonverbal, it’s key to making sure the learner feels safe, respected, and comfortable with what’s happening.
Families bring their own experiences to the table too, so connecting with them through empathy and honest validation is just as important. When we listen to their insights and work together as a team, we can create plans that are truly tailored to what the learner needs.
This approach doesn’t just align with ABA; it elevates it. Trauma-informed care fosters growth that goes beyond skills. It helps learners hit those big milestones while ensuring their dignity and well-being are front and center. By weaving compassion into every step we take, we’re not just helping kids grow –we’re helping them heal and thrive.