Ep. 54: ABA Tools for Tolerance – Haircuts, Doctor Visits & More

The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA Professionals

This week, we’re diving into ABA strategies for building tolerance in real-life situations like haircuts, doctor visits, and dental appointments. Many learners with autism and anxiety struggle with these experiences, and traditional approaches like social stories aren’t always enough. We’ll break down how to desensitize fears, use reinforcement effectively, and teach coping skills to make these essential life skills more manageable.
🔑 Key Takeaways
✅ Meet learners where they are – Start with the smallest step they can tolerate and build up gradually.
✅ Break it down like a task analysis – Even sitting near a hair clipper or stepping into a waiting room is progress.
✅ Use real-life visuals & practice visits – Take pictures, arrange preview visits, and mimic the experience as closely as possible.
✅ Find powerful reinforcers – Whether it’s a favorite toy or a coping strategy, reinforcement helps learners push through discomfort.
✅ Teach coping skills proactively – Don’t just rely on external rewards—help learners self-regulate with breathing techniques, fidgets, or preferred items.
📚 Resources and Ideas
📌 Check out Episode 49 on anxiety!
📌 A couple social stories for young learners that might help: https://abainschool.com/wvvp and https://abainschool.com/13ou
📌 Coping Skills visuals
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