What is Naturalistic Environment Teaching?
Naturalistic environment teaching, or NET, is a client-focused teaching tool in which the client’s interest and enjoyed activities are at the forefront of the ABA session. This flexible and client-led teaching model enables clients to learn new skills and behaviors within a familiar environment, allowing them to engage with what makes them happiest. For example, while targeting a client’s language development, activities such as playtime with peers and requesting a change of toys become opportunities for modeling and implementing new language skills. Because of its flexible nature, NET can be performed in any familiar setting where a client feels safe.
What is the Benefit of NET?
- Generalization of Skills:
Going beyond learning skills at a table with flashcards, NET allows clients the opportunity to learn the skills within the environments that they are most likely to experience in their lives. Because of this generalization to the client’s environment, the skills are more likely to be used and maintained.
- Increased Motivation:
The amount of motivation and engagement within the therapy is increased due to the client’s having agency in choosing toys and activities that they already enjoy.
- Rapport Building:
By performing the session within an environment that is familiar and enjoyable to the client, the relationship between the behavior staff and the client grows.
Here at Northwest ABA, we prioritize the learning and skill acquisition of our clients while ensuring they have fun doing so! NET allows us this opportunity to have both learning and client-focused enjoyment occur at the same time.