Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Not a single therapeutic technique can make it through in any therapy field without having its own list of pros and cons. Every process and approach has certain benefits that make its use purposeful to the cause while also presenting a list of potential pitfalls for all involved. Those with autism are much the same, if not more so than others, as no perfect diagnosis or treatment has been proven in the medical community. One such treatment is Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, which is discussed below.

With Applied Behavior Analysis the belief and the idea is that an individual with autism will respond better to behavior being rewarded than if the behavior was ignored altogether. In other words, every time the individual with autism responds to the therapist in an acceptable or desired manner they are rewarded with something that is of value to them. Instead of ignoring the desired behavior the professional has rewarded the acceptable response, hoping that at some point the behavior will become part of daily life.

The difficulty and criticism for such a technique is that some individuals with autism won’t respond well to the process because it is not in their nature to do so. The child may become too strained or stressed resulting in more negative behaviors, which outweigh the power rewards give for the acceptable behavior. Also, the therapy can take up an extensive amount of time that cuts into family interaction, finances and may stress the individual with autism.

Finding the perfect solution for all children with autism is an unattainable goal. Some may find tremendous success and results with one form of therapy while others may find no real discernable results with the exact same process. Trying different therapies or processes is one way to decide which is the right one for you or your loved one.

Entry Filed under: Treatment Types