BEHAVIOR (ABA) THERAPY

ABA therapy is a scientific method. It is based on evidence and helps people with autism. ABA teaches skills to improve and manage behaviors. While people of all ages can benefit from ABA therapy, it is especially helpful for young children with autism. ABA therapy lets kids acquire skills they will use for the rest of their lives. Through ABA therapy, children with autism can learn to communicate and interact with others. They develop skills that help them become more independent. It stands out for its structured and data-driven methodology. Additionally, ABA’s versatility allows for adaptation across various settings such as homes, schools, and clinics.

ABA therapy aims at improving cognitive abilities through therapeutic processes that are individualized for every child. It makes it easier to develop executive functions, attention, self-regulation, and other cognitive skills, helping children cope with difficulties and succeed in the educational setting..Full-time ABA or ABA that is provided between 20 and 40 hours per week is likely to be most effective. Not only does full-time ABA offer more learning opportunities, but it also provides the opportunity for a trained professional to monitor the child’s behaviors and skills so that immediate intervention can take place as needed to help them move toward their treatment goals. Full-time ABA can feel overwhelming, but it often resembles a preschool setting and is designed to fit naturally into a child’s daily routine. Activities include playtime, snack time, and practicing everyday skills like brushing teeth or putting on shoes. ABA also helps build social, communication, and self-care skills through fun, structured interactions with peers and caregivers.

How therapy works

ABA Therapy works through a process of positive reinforcement, which rewards behaviors you want your child to learn so he/she can grow and meet his/her full potential. Positive reinforcement means something of value is given after completing a task or demonstrating a skill. Over time, this reward is faded out so that the child learns to continue the new skill even without receiving the reward.

Goals of ABA Therapy

There are several primary goals of ABA Therapy for children on the autism spectrum.
They include:
1. Enhance communication and language skills
2. Improve age-appropriate and social skills
3. Improve various skills needed for success in school
4. Decrease incidents of inappropriate behaviors

Key takeaways of ABA Therapy:

● Analyzes how & why behaviors are learned
● Uses positive reinforcement to promote appropriate behaviors
● Helps children build communicative, play, visual, self-help, and social skills
● Helps reduce inappropriate behaviors
● Applicable to each child’s unique needs & challenges