HRE (Happy, Relaxed, Engaged) is a simple, but vital concept in applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. When seeking ABA Therapy, HRE is where everything should begin, it's the basic foundation of care. This concept helps create the best treatment environment for your child.
ABA therapy is a type of intervention that uses positive reinforcement to teach new skills and reduce problem behaviors. When a child is HRE, they are more likely to be receptive to learning and less likely to engage in problem behaviors.
Okay, but what is HRE?
H= Happy (Ex: Smiling)
R = Relaxed (Ex: Shoulders down)
E = Engaged (Ex: Looking at the person)
Creating an HRE Environment:
There are many things you can do to create an HRE environment for your child, both at home and in therapy sessions. Here are a few tips:
- Follow your child's lead. Pay attention to what your child enjoys and what makes them feel comfortable. Then, provide them with opportunities to engage in those activities.
- Be responsive to your child's needs. When your child is feeling overwhelmed or upset, take a step back and try to figure out what they need.
- Create a positive and supportive environment. Use positive reinforcement and praise to encourage your child's good behavior
HRE looks different for everyone. What may look HRE for one child, may look different for your child.
Our first goal before implementing ABA Therapy is to identify what is HRE for your child. We fundamentally believe that this is where learning should always begin. Everyone deserves to be HRE while learning, especially within ABA Therapy.