| If you are the parent of a child who has been recently | | | | is by far the most effective treatment out there for |
| diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, there is a | | | | children with autism spectrum disorder. ABA can help |
| good chance that you have heard the term ABA, or | | | | these kids become more socially active, more |
| Applied Behavior Analysis therapy. ABA is a unique | | | | independent, and more capable. In fact, many kids who |
| form of treatment for autism, and holds the distinction | | | | have undergone rigorous ABA therapy are able to |
| of being the only treatment that is scientifically proven | | | | function in a normal classroom setting after a relatively |
| to work. Using a process of measuring behaviors and | | | | short period of time. This is especially true of children |
| implementing specific teaching procedures, ABA works | | | | who begin ABA during or even before the preschool |
| to help children learn a very comprehensive set of | | | | years, which is when the brain is developing many of |
| skills. ABA works through guiding and positive | | | | the skills required for learning. The new pathways |
| reinforcement and can be quite successful. | | | | developed by ABA can often help autistic children |
| One of the places where autistic children differ greatly | | | | function quite like their non-autistic counterparts. |
| from other children is that they typically do not just pick | | | | At the end of the day, it is up to parents and school |
| up or grasp large concepts, ideas, and behaviors | | | | systems to decide what is right for each child. With |
| simply by observing them. While many children can | | | | that in mind, however, it is important to understand that |
| look up at a gray sky and understand that this means | | | | ABA therapy really does work. When employed both |
| that it will rain soon, an autistic child does not make the | | | | in the home and at school, it can be even more |
| proper connections and understandings for this | | | | effective. ABA therapy teaches social, cognitive, |
| concept to be understood. ABA therapy is designed to | | | | language, motor, self-help, and academic skills. When |
| help teach concepts and ideas in such a way that | | | | you want your child to be able to go to school, learn, |
| teaches the brain how to learn larger concepts. It | | | | and interact with peers as normally as possible, these |
| literally helps kids learn to learn. | | | | skills are absolutely crucial. |
| ABA therapy certainly works, and studies show that it | | | | |