After An Autism Diagnosis: What's Next? Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy's Positive Impact on Children with Autism

Autism is a complex developmental disability that impairs an individual’s ability to communicate and interact with others and causes difficulties in social-emotional development, language comprehension, and behavior regulation. This can have a profound impact on children and their families around the world, making early diagnosis and intervention critical. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based practice that has consistently proven to be successful in treating the symptoms of Autism and can provide hope for children and families.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy's

Autism Prevalence

The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Intervention

Early detection is essential to ensure that individuals with Autism get the support they need to learn and develop. Individuals may not get the interventions needed to reach their full potential without a proper diagnosis. Interventions such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy are proven to be successful in helping children with Autism improve communication, socialization, and behavior skills. Studies have shown that early intervention can significantly improve language skill gains, self-help skills, IQ scores and reduce challenging behaviors.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a highly effective form of therapy that promotes positive behavior and encourages individuals to engage in meaningful activities. ABA Therapy focuses on changing behavior through positive reinforcement and teaching strategies. The goal of ABA is to increase communication, social skills, and academic performance while decreasing problem behaviors. Furthermore, ABA Therapy can be used to teach new skills, provide a sense of self-control, and help individuals with Autism learn how to interact appropriately in various environments. Using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and evidence-based strategies,

Definition and Symptoms of Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. It is a complex disability with symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Common Autism-related behaviors can include difficulty relating to others, impaired communication, avoidance of social interaction, hyperactivity or under-activity in certain situations, and repetitive behaviors.

Understanding Autism and ABA Therapy

ABA Therapy is an evidence-based approach to Autism treatment that uses positive reinforcement and teaching strategies to improve communication, socialization, academic performance, and overall quality of life for individuals with Autism. ABA Therapy works on the principles of operant conditioning, which states that behavior is shaped and maintained by its consequences. Positive reinforcement, such as rewards and praise following desirable behavior, promotes desired behaviors and reduces unwanted behaviors.

How ABA Therapy Works to Improve the Symptoms of Autism

At the core of ABA Therapy is the idea that behavior can be shaped, modified, and maintained through reinforcement. Behaviors are broken down into small, measurable steps, and the individual is rewarded with positive feedback and rewards for completing each step successfully.

ABA Therapy also focuses on teaching new skills, such as communication or social skills, through structured teaching strategies. Structured teaching refers to activities designed to teach an individual how to complete a task or achieve a specific goal. For example, structured teaching procedures may include visual tools, role-playing, verbal prompts, and physical guidance.

The goal of structured teaching is to help the individual learn new skills step-by-step and then generalize those skills to daily life. Using structured teaching procedures, ABA Therapy can help individuals with Autism learn new communication and social skills, such as conversation skills, eye contact, understanding social cues and body language, and responding appropriately to other people. In addition, ABA Therapy can be invaluable for individuals with Autism and their families as they strive to reach the highest level of independence possible.

Decreasing Challenging Behaviors

ABA Therapy is also an effective Autism treatment for decreasing unwanted and challenging behaviors. By pairing rewards with desired behaviors, ABA Therapists can help individuals with Autism understand appropriate, desirable, and expected behaviors in a given situation. In addition, ABA Therapy can help individuals with Autism learn how to manage their emotions, regulate their behavior, and respond appropriately when feeling overwhelmed.

Supporting Academic and Functional Skill Development

ABA Therapy can also help individuals with Autism develop the skills necessary for academic and functional success. Through the use of structured teaching strategies, ABA Therapists can help individuals with Autism learn a variety of academic and functional skills.

These skills include time management, problem-solving, organizational skills, reading strategies, and other academic skills. In addition, ABA Therapy can help individuals with Autism learn life skills, such as shopping and budgeting, preparing meals, grooming, and other daily living skills.

Decreasing Challenging Behaviors

Improving Quality of Life for Children with Autism and their Families

For individuals with Autism, ABA Therapy can be an invaluable tool for helping them reach the highest level of independence possible. By teaching them the skills necessary for success, ABA Therapy can help individuals with Autism achieve their goals and live more meaningful and satisfying lives. In addition, ABA therapy can help families understand Autism better and provide them with the necessary skills to support their loved ones successfully.

It Bears Repeating: ABA Works

Autism treatments such as ABA Therapy have proven to be highly effective in helping individuals with Autism reach their fullest potential and improve their quality of life. It is essential that Autism treatments, such as ABA Therapy, receive increased support and access to make Autism services more widely available and affordable for individuals and their families. With increased Autism support, treatments such as ABA Therapy can continue to positively impact the lives of individuals with Autism and their families.

Good News: The Evidence for ABA Therapy

Since its emergence in the 1960s, ABA Therapy has been studied extensively to evaluate its effectiveness as an Autism treatment. Numerous studies have concluded that ABA Therapy is a highly effective Autism treatment that can positively impact an individual with Autism on multiple levels.

In 2020, the National Autism Center released its National Standards Project, which concluded that “ABA is the most effective autism treatment across age ranges and symptom severity.” This conclusion was based on a review of over 250 peer-reviewed studies, which demonstrated the effectiveness of ABA Therapy in teaching meaningful skills to individuals with Autism based on principles of behavior and learning.

These strategies are structured, systematic, and individualized to meet the unique needs of each individual with Autism. Through the use of positive reinforcement strategies and visual supports, ABA Therapists can help individuals with Autism learn a variety of academic and functional skills.

Conclusion

Autism is a complex disability that affects individuals around the world. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based practice that has consistently proven to be successful in treating the symptoms of Autism and can provide hope for children and families. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential to ensure that individuals with Autism get the support they need to learn and develop. Through ABA Therapy, children with Autism can improve communication, social skills, and overall quality of life. By providing Autism treatment and support, ABA Therapists can help individuals with Autism reach their fullest potential. Let the professionals at Mobile Therapy Centers improve the quality of life for both your child with Autism and your family. Contact us at 800-977-9072 or email asktheteam@mtcus.com. We are waiting to assist you!

References

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2019). Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Autism/

Lemoncelli, A., J. (2016). From Diagnosis to Development: ABA Therapy’s Positive Impact on Children with Autism. Retrieved from https://www.behaviorbabe.com/aba-therapy/

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Autism spectrum disorder – Symptoms and causes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2017). Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics

/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2017). About autism spectrum disorder. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/autism-spectrum

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Elaina Pagliarulo AACOTA/L, AAT Handler

Elaina is a part of our MTC Occupational Therapy Department and received an education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, McHenry County College, and Husson University. She has a strong passion for working with both animals and children. Elaina has always wanted to incorporate both of these passions into her career and is incredibly excited to bring Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) to Mobile Therapy Centers!

MTC's Therapy Dog: Rocky

Rocky is an Australian Mountain Doodle who loves to learn, play, and meet new people. Rocky joined our MTC team when he was just 8 weeks old and has been training to support the clients of MTC from day one. His kind and loving nature makes him the perfect match for Animal-Assisted Therapy, and Rocky can not wait to meet all his new friends through the MTC AAT program!