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Early ABA Therapy Can Make a Significant Difference
Postive reinforcement • May 18, 2021
Early ABA Therapy Can Make a Significant Difference
Studies have shown that Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy at an early age can lead children to an increase in communication skills, language skills, and social skills. In several studies, evidence shows that intense ABA Therapy can improve social skills and focus in a child. These skill improvements can decrease problem behaviors for children with an early diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Increases Helpful Behavior
ABA Therapy
aims to increase helpful behaviors that are beneficial to learning and decrease undesired behaviors that could impact learning. It is an effective treatment used widely in the U.S. for children with ASD and related disorders. Through ABA, we treat behaviors in real-life situations and adapt our techniques to create change where it is needed.
Flexible to Each Individual Child
This treatment program is flexible by using research-based strategies for each individual child since no child is alike. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder have different symptoms, traits, and functioning levels. The program focuses on the child’s personal strengths and weaknesses. According to a study of intensive ABA therapy, within the first year of receiving ABA therapy treatment for 32-39 hours per week, there was a 48 percent success rate in a classroom setting.
Rewards Positive Behavior
ABA therapy can be applied in various settings to help teach the necessary skills of everyday life. This includes each child’s unique and specific needs, which are adjusted over time as their needs change. Communication skills, daily living skills, and social skills are areas of focus. ABA Therapy rewards positive behavior until a task or behavior becomes an unaided skill. Rewards are individualized to each child for effectiveness. For example, playing with a favorite toy, going to the playground, telling them verbal praise, etc. ABA Therapy services in-home or at the center with the same intensive therapy to lead to outstanding outcomes for your child.
It is no secret that Autism Spectrum Disorder can greatly affect a child’s speech and language development. Up to 35% of children with autism are considered minimally verbal. This leaves parents and therapists reaching for tools that will help these children communicate.
Experts agree that the earliest autism can be accurately and formally diagnosed is somewhere between the ages of 18 and 24 months. However, it is possible for signs and symptoms of autism to present sooner. Some parents report seeing suspected signs as early as six months.
Autism—also referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—is a developmental disorder that affects a child’s or adult’s communication and social skills. The fact that
the disorder manifests on a spectrum means that its symptoms vary greatly in their scope and severity. Let’s briefly examine the three levels of autism and how the treatment approaches differ for each.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an evidence-based treatment for autism and other developmental conditions. It has been used for decades to help improve children’s social skills, communication, learning, and overall quality of life
ABA is considered the primary therapy for treating individuals with autism, but all of these therapies have something to offer. No single therapy will work for everyone every time, so treatment plans are varied and highly individualized to meet each child’s needs. Professionals consider the strengths and weaknesses of the child as well as the pros and cons of any particular therapies when creating a treatment plan.
Some people wonder if a person is able to grow out of autism. There are even research studies that suggest that some children have been able to “recover” from their autism diagnosis as they get older.
In 2017, researchers determined that approximately 75% of children with autism are boys and 25% are girls. At the time, some experts were excited to hear that these two numbers were not further apart than they are.
" Considering the intricacies of genetics, it is no small task to answer the question, “Is autism genetic?” Many factors play a role in what we consider genetics. It is true that genes are tucked away in every cell and that these are comparable to a recipe or a blueprint for our bodies. It is also true that external factors can influence these genes to effectively change the data contained within.
When a diagnosis of autism is made for your child, the doctor will likely suggest an evidence-based behavioral treatment such as Applied Behavior Analysis. An ABA specialist will be able to tailor an ABA treatment plan just for your child.
Students with autism have strengths and weaknesses that cause them to learn differently than neurotypical students. Social skills, communication, and executive function skills like focusing and organization tend to be difficult for these students.