There are hundreds of treatment therapies for autism. However, not all therapies are created equal. One of the most common treatments for autism spectrum disorder is applied behavioral analysis (ABA). For children living with autism, ABA uses behavioral analysis and response to gauge learning progress. This treatment helps parents, doctors, and therapists better understand a child’s development. Greater understanding gives parents peace of mind and tools to help their children learn and grow. ABA benefits may even help some children grow off the spectrum as adults.
If you’re looking for ABA therapy for your child, call EMIT today. Our in-home telehealth ABA therapy programs for children ages 1.5 to 18 serve children across New Jersey. Learn more today by calling us at 844.983.0240.
What Is Applied Behavioral Analysis in Autism Therapy?
ABA therapy uses a reward system. It focuses on positive reinforcement to help children develop language, social, and life skills. ABA therapy ignores unacceptable behaviors and rewards positive behavior. For example, therapists may ignore outbursts and repetitive behaviors while rewarding daily tasks like putting laundry away.
Through tracking and analyzing behavior, parents can understand how their child responds to real-life situations. This treatment can also help parents build a structure at home to prevent anxiety, outburst, and overwhelm. Therapists can assess a child’s responses to this treatment to determine learning strengths and challenges. In addition, they may pair ABA with other programs like life skills training and speech therapy. With time and practice, joint therapy can help children become less anxious and better understand the world around them.
Examples of Applied Behavioral Analysis
ABA uses a range of techniques to encourage specific behavior. This behavioral engineering may include:
- Picture exchange communication-This flashcard system may use physical or digital cards for language learning. Children pair images with words to build vocabulary and language skills.
- Modeling and mirroring-Therapists, parents, and teachers model social behavior and life skills to help children develop routines and understand social norms.
- Reinforcement-Positive reinforcement is at the core of ABA. This treatment bases the rewards on a child’s specific desires.
ABA helps families build routines without complicated systems, making it a simple and ideal treatment. It is easy to understand a follow and adapt to each child’s needs, strengths, and learning.
ABA Benefits
ABA therapy can begin at any age and is effective for any level of the autism spectrum. Regular practice, mirroring, and modeling can enforce healthy habits. Other benefits of ABA include:
- Improved communication
- Learning to express needs, emotions, and desires
- Lower rates of self-harm and destructive behavior
- The better focus at home and school
- Less anxiety and social stress
- A greater understanding of the outside world
Over time, the benefits of ABA increase. The more practice a child has at home and school, the better the effects of ABA therapy. ABA may be ideal for your child’s autism treatment because it is adaptable, easy to use, and pairs well with other therapies. Applied behavioral analysis isn’t just a tool for learning and analysis. It’s a way parents can approach life with a child on the autism spectrum. Using ABA can help relieve parents’ stress and anxiety with helpful tools and information. Tracking their child’s progress can show parents a larger picture of their child’s experience of the world.
Contact EMIT to Start Your Child’s Treatment
Choosing the right therapy program can be challenging. There are a variety of benefits of ABA, though it is not the only treatment available. At EMIT, we provide holistic, individualized ABA therapy for children across New Jersey. Our in-home telehealth therapy can keep up with your busy schedule and help your child establish healthy routines. If you’re ready to begin telehealth and ABA therapy from the comfort of home, call us today at 844.983.0240.
