Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapy for Autism

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapy for Autism is used for developing and managing behavioural,social-emotional skills, communication, speech-language and many other skills. Before elaborating further we should first discuss what applied behaviour analysis is.

What Is Applied Behaviour Analysis(ABA)

ABA therapy supports expected behaviours and prevents undesirable behaviours. Therapists use tips to enable people to build communication, vocabulary, and other skills. Different types of ABA therapy are there depending on the needs of the patients.

ABA has a scientific technique for enhancing sociable behaviour in children with autism. It has now become the standard therapy for ASD in the world. The main purposes are to design, filter social skills and resolve problems. In ABA therapy the practitioner and child work one-on-one. It is interpersonal therapy.

History of Applied Behaviour Analysis ABA Therapy for Autism

In the 1960s, Dr Ivar Lovaas who was a behavioural psychologist, created Applied Behaviour Analysis(ABA)therapy for autism yet the strategies have developed throughout the long term. Dr Lovaas initially use this applied behaviour analysis (ABA) for autism since he accepted that children with ASD should learn social and conduct abilities. According to Lovaas’ Autism Spectrum Disorder was a bunch of social side effects that should have modification.

In those days, ABA additionally included disciplines for resistance, some of which could be extremely brutal, for instance, the use of electric shocks. In 2020 — the Food and Medication Organization (FDA) restricted electric shock gadgets in revolution treatment.

Rewards replaced most of the punishments in ABA. Like when a kid doesn’t respond to instructions will not get a prize like a most loved food.

Over a long time, specialists made changes to Lovaas’ method. Today, specialists do not focus on curing autism but teach them how to live with it by focusing on strength and learning and polishing new skills.

Benefits Of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapy for Autism

Here are some benefits of ABA therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

There are many pieces of research which show that ABA therapy is useful in supporting children with autism in achieving skills. According to one research, starting ABA at early age enabled children to enhance in IQ and in managing behaviour. It also helped reduce the severity of autism features.

ABA therapy helped many skills it may from simple to complex depending upon the severity of autism. This therapy can use to give rewards for combing hair properly or collecting toys and keeping them in the basket.

ABA therapy for autism teaches parents how to work with children at home, it also helps them to calculate improvement. Like, it can assist parents to introduce how to break down into syllables but not teach the complete words.

ABA therapy has a positive approach which helps autistic children to gain confidence and support for learning skills. It makes autistic children getting the opportunity of learning and adapt behaviours. It helps them for socializing and interacting with people.

Applied behaviour analysis therapist design different goals and plans for every child. Particular goals are selected based on children’s needs.

Kinds of ABA Therapy used for Autism

The ABA curriculum shows the observable progress in a child’s capabilities and skills, including those behaviours which parents would not even think, are achievable. ABA therapy improves skills and acknowledges children’s actual possibilities, and how they can achieve success in life. ABA therapy also enriches functional independence and makes children more empowered.

Therapists may use five different strategies to implement ABA, including:

Discrete trial

Lovaas’s approach includes breaking down tasks into easy tasks having a cue-and-response method and rewarding it if successfully done.

Naturalistic Instruction

This aspect of teaching allows the children with autism to have their particular learning speed throughout the session based on the context of their everyday practices.

Pivotal response

This method enhances stimulation and improves reaction to more cues, social environment frame, and self-regulation.

Token economy

This method either gives you a reward or removes a (reward) token having predefined behaviours. These are reinforcers, equivalent to real currency.

Contingent observation

Specialists use this method in the same age group. When a child shows some unacceptable behaviour, the specialist asks the child to observe the behaviour of other peers performing tasks successfully in the group.

Disadvantages and Controversy of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapy

With the federal appellate ruling, critics say that ABA can be too harsh for autism.

Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy (ABA) for autism has the following disadvantages which were mentioned by its critics.

Focuses on Behaviour Problems

Criticizers of ABA therapy express that therapists concentrate more on stopping the behaviour and they focus less on developing a child’s skills.

Tries the kids to Behave like Normal

The second point they highlighted is that ABA therapy focuses to make autistic children behave like a normal one. Like, asking children to flap their hands are not good as their behaviours do not allow it.

These points made some modifications to ABA therapy. Now, therapists concentrate on modification of the behaviours instead of working on an autistic person’s issues. The purpose is to enable these autistic people to live on their own.

How ABA Therapy Works

ABA therapist will assist to select to plan the child’s ABA therapy including its goals and sessions and its length. The therapist will begin with an assessment to glance at medical history, reports, previous therapies, remedies and medicines.

The therapist will do the observation of the child first and assess your child’s improvement of plans in every session. ABA therapist takes sessions in different settings, including at the child’s home, school, or any other setting. Parents can also get training for learning and teaching to support children in different environments.

The therapist decides the total therapy hours by considering the goals made for the child. The therapist plans 10 to 25 hours for one week as Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy.

Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy (ABA) for autism can be helpful, it can take time to bring improvement in the communication, behaviour and socialization skills of your autistic children in many ways. But before you reach any decision you should consult with your therapist and ask your therapist which therapy is best for your child. They can help you and explain all processes from start to end.