If your child has autism or if you know someone with autism, you may have heard of ABA Therapy. But what is ABA Therapy? Well, to put it simply, it’s a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. It helps us understand how a person’s behavior works, how it’s affected by the environment and how learning takes place. ABA treatment for autism increases desired behaviors while decreasing negative ones.
ABA helps to increase language and communication skills, improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics as well as decrease problem behaviors such as tantrums.
Great! So how does ABA treatment for autism work and why is it effective?
- It can be adapted to each individual (because everyone is different)
- Multiple location options – at home, at school, and in the community
- Teaches everyday life skills
- Can be done 1-1 or in a group
ABA treatment for autism involves multiple techniques for understanding and improving behavior.
ABA Therapy focuses on positive reinforcement as one of its main strategies. When a behavior is followed by a reward (something of value or excitement), a child with autism is more likely to repeat that behavior. This encourages positive behavior change over a long period of time.
The therapist will first identify a goal behavior. Each time the individual successfully uses the skill or behavior, they will be rewarded. The reward is usually something meaningful to them, like candy, a toy, watching a movie, going to the playground, and more, depending on their interests. Because each person is different.
This means that good ABA programs will differ from person to person, and each program is individualized.
But who conducts ABA treatment?
A qualified behavior analyst designs and oversees each program, customizing it to each individual.
This all starts with a detailed assessment of the individual’s skills and preferences. They will use this to write specific treatment goals. These goals can include many different areas of skill, such as:
- Communication
- Social skills
- Play and leisure
- Self-care (such as showering and toileting)
- Motor skills
- Academics and learning
Once the goals are set, they will measure progress by collecting data in each therapy session. This helps them to accurately monitor their progress throughout the entire process.
But really. Does ABA treatment for autism actually work?
Yes. ABA is an evidence-based treatment and has a highly successful, proven track record. Studies have shown that 90% of children make substantial gains through ABA Therapy.
If you’re eager to see your child make their own substantial gains, reach out to us at Taskids below.
About Taskids Texas:
As the leading ABA provider in the Dallas and Fort Worth area, we provide individualized treatment plans using a spectrum of scientifically validated therapies. We pride ourselves on our ability to tailor each treatment plan to the individual needs of our patients. We help children and adolescents with Autism and other Developmental Delays reach their goals.
Contact Us to start ABA therapy services