Every child with autism is unique and will need something different from their personalized autism treatment plan. Part of what makes ABA therapy so powerful is the virtually endless ways in which it can be customized for each child with autism. However, there are a few common behaviors and skills that are addressed by many ABA therapy treatment plans.
ABA Therapy Teaches children How to Communicate
Any child is bound to feel upset and frustrated when they feel like no one understands them. Communication is often an even greater struggle for children with autism, which can be heartbreaking for parents. Parents want to provide for their children, but that’s difficult when the child can’t communicate their needs. These barriers can also lead to logistical challenges and household disruptions.
ABA therapy teaches children with autism how to communicate to the best of their ability. A nonverbal child with autism may learn how to use pictures, pointing, and other gestures to communicate his needs and desires. A verbal child might start with words and very simple phrases before working up to full sentences. Each child’s ABA treatment plan will be different based on the child’s abilities and development level.
ABA therapy professionals will also work with the child’s family on these important skills. When the family understands and uses the child’s communication tools, they can meet the child’s needs and build a stronger relationship.
ABA Therapy can Mitigate Maladaptive Behaviors
Some children with autism may have concerning or even dangerous behaviors, such as tantrums and meltdowns, aggression, and destruction, among others. At best, these maladaptive behaviors are disruptive. But they can be very frightening for the child’s parents and caregivers, especially if there are other children present. Children with autism may hurt themselves or those around them in worst-case scenarios.
If a child’s behaviors are too disruptive or upsetting to others, they may struggle to integrate in the classroom or other public settings. Additionally, maladaptive behavior in children with autism can be a major contributor to caregiver burnout.
ABA therapy mitigates maladaptive behaviors by starting with the root cause. Using the antecedent-behavior-consequence (ABC) model, ABA therapy professionals can investigate what triggers the behaviors and why they occur. This information can then be used to alter the child’s environment and reduce the prevalence of antecedents that most often lead to maladaptive behaviors. ABA therapy can also use positive reinforcement and other interventions to help children with autism build positive habits that make maladaptive behaviors less common.
ABA therapy empowers children with autism to be more independent
Some children with autism need a lot of hands-on support for daily tasks, such as getting dressed or using the bathroom. This can put a lot of strain on parents and caregivers, especially if they have other children who also need them.
ABA therapy takes a manageable, step-by-step approach to teaching everyday skills to children with autism so they can become more independent. Of course, each child’s potential will be different. For example, some children with autism can learn to use the bathroom entirely on their own. Others will always need a little help, but with ABA therapy, they can handle more steps of the process without hands-on assistance.
Children with autism and their families both benefit when the child learns everyday skills through ABA therapy. ABA therapy can make the child more independent, which can open doors to them in the future. As a result, there’s less demand on the parents, and the whole house can run more smoothly.
ABA therapy can empower children with autism to participate in the classroom.
Classroom success relies on a wide range of social and academic skills, and some children with autism may not be ready for the classroom right away. The bustle and noise can be overwhelming, along with the many new people to greet.
ABA therapy empowers children with autism to integrate into the classroom and engage positively with their peers. With ABA therapy, a child may learn how to sit still in class, write with a pencil, and work on an assignment. Because ABA therapy takes a step-by-step approach, children with autism can learn complex concepts, such as social skills and play, at a manageable pace. ABA therapy can help a child with autism reach his or her fullest potential in the classroom and make a meaningful difference in their education.
ABA therapy can support the development of important skills for children with autism, ranging from everyday to specialized behaviors. To learn more about the behaviors ABA therapy can help improve, get in touch with an Applied ABC team member >
