If your child has been diagnosed with autism, you’ve probably already begun research into ABA therapy, or received a referral to an ABA therapist. Applied Behavior Therapy, or “ABA” therapy, is considered the primary intervention therapy for children with autism.
Research tells us that the earlier a child with autism is exposed to ABA therapy, the better and more positive outcomes they will experience later in life.
In this article, we’ll cover the many different ways in which ABA therapy is helping children across the globe work on new skills, learn how to communicate effectively, and gain more independence. We’ll also briefly cover what ABA therapy is and why it is so effective for neurodivergent children.
What Is ABA Therapy?
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ABA therapy is a type of therapy that uses positive reinforcement to help children with autism choose positive behaviors continuously. When your child is engaged in ABA therapy, they’ll work with Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who are trained in ABA methodology to help work on new skills, learn how to communicate with others, and understand how to regulate their emotions.
How ABA Therapy Benefits Children With Autism
The benefits of early intervention with ABA therapy have dramatic results. When exposed to ABA therapy early in life stages, preferably by preschool age between 2-6, it can help children lead more successful and fulfilling lives into adulthood. Here’s a small snapshot of how ABA therapy helps children with autism flourish.
Boost Social Skills
It’s common for children with autism to experience difficulty navigating social situations. These issues may also be complicated if a child with autism has a limited vocabulary or is non-verbal.
ABA therapy gives children with autism alternative means of communication that are safe and effective for them. These may include hand gestures, picture exchanges, or devices that can be used to communicate their needs.
ABA therapy also uses tools like playtime, one-on-one therapy sessions, and even virtual reality headsets to practice real life social situations and help children understand how to safely navigate them. This eliminates negative consequences that children may be exposed to in a real life situation, and helps them continue to work on and hone social skills in a setting that is safe and supportive.
Encourage Independence
For children with autism, learning even small tasks can be overwhelming. Simply buttoning a shirt or washing hands may feel complicated. ABA therapy uses methods of breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks that children can easily master. This builds self-confidence and helps children gain independence by being able to accomplish simple tasks on their own.
As children grow, ABA therapy grows along with them, focusing on larger, more complex tasks with the same approach that helps them work on smaller parts of the task in order to reach completion, rather than focusing on the task as a whole.
Support For Parents
A vital part of your child’s ABA therapy depends on your involvement. Your child’s BCBA will work directly with you to ensure that your child’s individualized plan of therapy is effective.
Your child’s BCBA will also work with you so that you can implement the same teaching and therapy tools at home that your child is working on while at their therapy center. This allows your child to connect these tools to real life, and promotes a better outcome overall.
Through your work with your child’s BCBA and their therapy center, you can gain valuable insight into how different approaches make it easier for you to parent your child, which in turn makes it easier for your child to thrive in their at-home environment.
Help With Emotional Regulation
Children, in general, are not known for their ability to control their emotions. For children with autism, emotional regulation can be even more of a challenge. ABA therapy approaches your child’s emotional regulation difficulties through play therapy.
When children become frustrated or angry during play, your child’s BCBA will offer constructive and effective ways to help your child express their feelings in a positive way.
ABA Today For a Bright Tomorrow
ABA therapy is the gold standard of intervention for children with autism. If you have a child with autism, getting them started with an ABA therapy center as early as possible is the best way to ensure a bright future.
Brad Zelinger is the founder and CEO of Stride Autism Centers.
Sources:
Treatment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder|CDC.org
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