If your child has been diagnosed with a spectrum disorder corresponding to autism, your pediatrician could have suggested a therapy called applied behavior evaluation. It is usually called ABA therapy and is meant to assist children on the spectrum develop social and emotional skills. ‌
Applied behavior evaluation is a type of interpersonal therapy through which a baby works individually with a practitioner. The aim of applied behavior evaluation is to enhance social skills through interventions based on learning theory principles.
ABA therapy helps children on the autism spectrum by:
- They increase their social skills corresponding to completing tasks, communicating and learning latest skills
- Implementing maintenance behaviors corresponding to self-control and self-regulation
- Teach them to transfer learned behaviors to latest environments
- Modifying the educational environment to challenge them in specific scenarios
- Reducing negative behaviors corresponding to self-harm
Applied behavior evaluation helps children on the autism spectrum adapt to social scenarios they could not understand.
Positive reinforcement. In ABA therapy, when a baby completes a task appropriately or achieves a goal behavior, there’s a reward. Studies show that when an individual receives something of private value after a behavior, they usually tend to repeat the behavior. Over time, applied behavior evaluation helps teach your child the behaviors you would like.‌
Behavior and consequences. Just nearly as good behavior is rewarded, negative behavior is discouraged. Applied behavior evaluation helps your child make the connection between what happens before and after a behavior.
For example, if the teacher asks your student to scrub up toys, your child will respond in two ways. When they begin cleansing up the toys, the behavior is rewarded (positive consequence). If they yell, throw a tantrum, or refuse, the behavior has negative consequences.‌
Negative behaviors are sometimes triggered by the teacher not responding to your child's negative behavior. Unless your child stops or shows willingness to follow the command, there isn’t a reward.
Over time, your child will make connections between what’s socially acceptable and what shouldn’t be. The goal of applied behavior evaluation is to be certain that the specified behaviors follow your child into the true world. With a greater understanding of social behavior rules, your child might be higher prepared for social situations in school, at events and with family.
When your child first begins ABA therapy, the provider sets behavioral standards. They will consult with you what you would like from therapy to your child and create a treatment plan. Over time, as your child progresses or regresses, latest goals might be set.
Personalized plan. Applied behavior evaluation looks different for every body. Individual goals are set based on the problems your child struggles with most. In individual therapy sessions, the therapist can adapt to your child's needs that day.
Wide application. Applied behavior evaluation is meant to assist with many problems, including:
- depression
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Fears and phobias
- Anger management issues
- Serious concern
ABA therapy will also be helpful for adults with autism and other behavioral disorders.
Proven results. Studies show that children who take part in applied behavior evaluation therapy achieve good results. In a study examining long-term intensive therapy, participants showed progress in:
- Language development
- Intellectual abilities
- Skills for on a regular basis life
- Social skills
Participants on this study attended therapy for 25 to 40 hours per week for between one and three years.‌
Compared to animal training. Applied behavior evaluation can be used to bolster positive behavior in animals and discourage negative behavior. For this reason, some people compare ABA therapy negatively to animal training. Not everyone believes that children must have a reward and consequence system for social behavior.
Forced change. Applied behavior evaluation is meant to vary your child's behavior. Your child may feel like they usually are not being understood during therapy sessions. Some people consider that children mustn’t be modified to higher fit into society, but fairly that changes needs to be made to adapt to people on the spectrum.