Behavior analysts, behavior technicians, and other applied behavior analysis (ABA) professionals are well-versed in pairing with their learners. Pairing is an essential piece to a positive therapeutic relationship. Read on to learn what pairing is, how it’s done, and its benefits.
Pairing is the process of building rapport and establishing a positive therapeutic relationship between a therapist and a learner. While pairing involves specific steps, it is more of a natural process for many therapists as they engage with their learners. Nonetheless, it should be the therapist's first step when working with a new learner.
Even beyond those first sessions, pairing is an ongoing process. Therapists should continuously focus on maintaining rapport with their learners. Allowing the child to lead therapy sessions, with the therapist following their motivation, can strengthen the rapport between the learner and therapist.
Pairing consists of the therapist providing their learner free access to highly preferred items and activities. Through this systematic process, the learner begins to “pair” the therapist with fun and exciting activities. While pairing, the therapist places no expectations on the learner. They don’t target therapy goals, ask questions, or engage in behaviors the learner might consider aversive. Pairing should be enjoyable for both the learner and the therapist.
The pairing process can vary for each learner. Some children are eager to engage with new people. Others are more apprehensive and require more time to become comfortable. As such, there is not a set amount of time that pairing will take for each learner. ABA professionals are well-trained in ensuring a smooth pairing process for all learners to establish a solid therapeutic foundation.
There are many benefits of pairing in ABA and other therapies. One of the significant benefits of pairing is that it helps the learner feel more comfortable and open to learning. When a child trusts their therapist and assents to therapy, they are more likely to participate fully in the learning activities. This, in turn, can lead to a more enriched experience and enhanced progress.
Another benefit of pairing is that it helps establish a positive and safe learning environment. When a child feels safe and secure, they may be more open to trying new things. This is especially important in therapy, where children are often asked to engage in new and sometimes less than preferred activities to develop new skill sets.
Lastly, pairing is vital for the therapist. It helps them better understand the child's unique needs and preferences. By spending time getting to know the child before initiating goals, the therapist can tailor the therapy sessions to better meet the individual’s needs. This can lead to more effective and efficient therapy and a more positive experience for both the child and the therapist.
Pairing is an essential part of ABA therapy. When done right, pairing can lead to improved outcomes and enhance the therapy process. By building a strong relationship between the therapist and the child, pairing helps to create a safe and positive environment for learning and growth.
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References
Lugo, A. M., McArdle, P. E., King, M. L., Lamphere, J. C., Peck, J. A., & Beck, H. J. (2018).
Effects of Presession Pairing on Preference for Therapeutic Conditions and Challenging
Behavior. Behavior analysis in practice, 12(1), 188–193.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-0268-2
Lugo, A. M., King, M. L., Lamphere, J. C., & McArdle, P. E. (2017). Developing procedures to
improve therapist–child rapport in early intervention. Behavior Analysis in Practice,
10(4), 395–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-016-0165-5
