ABA Therapy Uses Repetition to Teach Independence

For many outsiders looking at ABA Therapy for theThe child is then asked the same question and
first time, there are a lot of questions.  One of theprompted to respond.  Clues are often given, though
most common questions parents ask is how teachingover time they become vaguer until the child is
a child to repeat an answer that they are given to aexpected to answer without prompting.  This is a
question can teach them anything beyond rotevaluable tool, because it helps not only teach the child
memorization.  While it is true that initial goals of ABAto properly respond to questions and requests, but
Therapy include a great deal of teaching children tobecause it helps providers teach children what types
mimic answers to questions, the therapy is part of aof behavior will get results. 
rewiring process that teaches their brains to produceWhen a question is asked, only appropriate answers
nerve synapses that many brains perform naturally. and behavior will garner any result.  Any inappropriate
As this development occurs, children develop the abilitybehaviors are ignored, teaching children over time that
to think critically and independently, ultimately leading toproper behavior is the only way to gain attention or
skills and functions that help make them virtuallyfavor.  While answering questions helps children to
indistinguishable from their peers.learn new things, this aspect of ABA Therapy also
Many critics of ABA Training have seen the therapyteaches fundamentals of behavior and of giving
only a few times and formed an opinion.  The fact isimportance to human interaction over other stimuli,
that ABA Therapy is the only treatment approved bythings that other children learn much differently.
most health insurance companies for children with anIn conclusion, repetition is truly a fundamental part of
Autism Spectrum Disorder.  The reason for this isABA Training, but it is not in an effort to teach rote
that it simply works.  For decades, ABA Therapy hasmemorization.  Only through repetition can thinking
been preparing children with varying degrees of ASDpatterns within the brain adapt and change themselves,
for school, work, and other social situations.  While it isand only through repetition can these children be taught
most effective when introduced during toddler andthe basic fundamentals of behavior and social
preschool years, a majority of people with an ASDinteraction.  While to outsiders this repetition may
can see a significant improvement with ABA Trainingmake little sense, for parents who have seen it teach
at any age.their children to think independently, the value of this
Repetition plays a strong part in ABA Therapy.  Aaspect of ABA Therapy is remarkably obvious.
child is asked a question and provided the answer.