How NET Supports Your Child in the Community

At REACH Behavior and Development Center, we understand the importance of providing comprehensive support for children with developmental challenges. One of the evidence-based approaches we use is Natural Environment Training (NET), which focuses on teaching skills in the settings where they are most likely to occur. In this blog post, we will explore how NET, grounded in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), can effectively support your child in the community.

NET is a form of ABA that emphasizes teaching skills in naturalistic settings, such as the home, school, or community. This approach is particularly beneficial for children with developmental disabilities, as it allows them to learn and practice skills in the environments where they will ultimately need to use them. By incorporating NET into our programs, we aim to help children generalize their skills and navigate real-world situations more effectively.

Recent research has highlighted the effectiveness of NET in supporting children with developmental challenges. For example, a 2020 study by Jones and colleagues demonstrated that NET interventions led to significant improvements in social communication skills among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in naturalistic settings. The researchers found that by targeting social communication skills within the context of the child’s everyday interactions, NET facilitated meaningful and lasting gains.

At REACH, our team utilizes NET to create individualized intervention plans tailored to each child’s unique needs. Whether it’s fostering social skills during playdates, teaching communication strategies at the park, or supporting adaptive behaviors in community outings, our approach is designed to promote skill generalization and independence.

When implementing NET, our practitioners focus on identifying naturally occurring opportunities to teach and reinforce targeted skills. By embedding learning opportunities into the child’s natural routines and activities, we can maximize the relevance and effectiveness of the intervention. This approach not only enhances skill acquisition but also empowers children to apply their newly acquired abilities across various community settings.

In addition to targeting specific skills, NET also emphasizes collaboration with caregivers and community members. By involving parents, teachers, and other individuals in the child’s support network, we can ensure that the child’s progress is supported and reinforced consistently across different environments.

Natural Environment Training, rooted in the principles of ABA, is a powerful tool for supporting your child in the community. Through recent research and our own experience, we have seen the positive impact of NET in promoting skill generalization, independence, and meaningful social interactions.

References:

Jones, E. A., & Carberry, C. (2020). A Naturalistic Environment Teaching Intervention to Improve Social Communication of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(1), 194-207.