AFLS and ABA
What is AFLS?
AFLS stands for Assessment of Functional Living Skills and was created by Dr. James Partington and Dr. Michael Mueller. Today, we will dive a little deeper into one of the many assessments used at SOAR. AFLS helps identify which basic living skills a client already has and where skill deficits lie. AFLS targets six domains: basic skills, home skills, community participation skills, school skills, independent living skills, and vocational skills. In addition, this assessment can be used with children ages two and up! As a result, when your child acquires skills in each of these domains, it allows them to gain a life-changing level of autonomy.
So you may ask now, “What do goals from AFLS look like in ABA?”
Goals in aba
AFLS provides your child with a well-rounded repertoire of skills that allows them to navigate their world safely and exhibit behaviors that help them thrive. For example, goals under the essential skills category can include anything from grooming skills to health and safety awareness. Tasks such as brushing teeth are broken down into smaller steps using task analyses and shaping. In addition, the safety category could include identifying the difference between a ‘stranger’ and an ‘acquaintance.’ Following the assessment, your BCBA will design the most appropriate method to teach the target skills and ensure your child is successful. There are a variety of environments that require different responses and behaviors; this can be confusing and frustrating! Meanwhile, AFLS ensures that your child knows how to respond in the home, classroom, community, and workplace! Having these skills improves the quality of life and promotes increased positive interactions.
be involved in programming
At SOAR, we celebrate and require collaboration to provide comprehensive services. Collaboration means more than comparing notes between therapists. The collaboration includes parents and caregivers and is significant in the child’s life! Communicate with your BCBA and RBT about areas that your child struggles. Meanwhile, the world is highly chaotic, and problematic behaviors will arise in different environments. Please reach out to your BCBA if you would like to know what assessments they’ve used and if you would like to fill out the AFLS questionnaire with your child. AFLS provides a comprehensive view of how your child operates and builds a solid foundation for the future.
Is AFLS suitable for my child?
The AFLS assessment is used with children as young as two years old up to adulthood. There are basic skills taught without having verbal behavior as a base. On the other hand, there are also more complex skills that require verbal behavior. No matter your child’s skill level, teaching methods will be designed based on your child’s needs. For instance, one child learns a skill more efficiently by using visuals and pointing to the correct response. In addition, another child will verbally describe the right answer. If you’re unsure if AFLS is suitable for your child, reach out to your BCBA! Here is a supplemental article describing a few of the assessments we use at SOAR. In conclusion, I hope this helps you decide which review is suitable for your child.
For more blog posts by SOAR Behavior Services, visit soarbehaviorwa.com/family-resources.
