ABA therapy is a highly-effective method for children with autism that targets changing their behavior to appear non-autistic. Instead of attempting to cure the autism, ABA therapy aims to understand why certain behaviors are present in the first place. Reid received ABA therapy between the ages of two and five, and was mainstreamed into kindergarten without the kindergarten staff knowing that he had autism. The therapy involves one-on-one sessions with a trained therapist. Many health professionals recommend this therapy, but it has also been criticized by parents and autism advocates alike.While few people will publicly discuss their own experiences with ABA therapy, there are plenty of apprehensive parents out there. Most people interviewed believe that if they speak out publicly, ABA will attract negative reactions. In fact, one blog post by a parent with an autistic child shut down comments, as many of them were written by ABA therapists defending the therapy. While these comments may be well-meaning, they're largely irrelevant. For more details about ABA therapy, check here.
When it comes to ABA therapy for autism, parents should consider the costs before signing up. It can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $150,000 per year, depending on the level of treatment. In addition, there are other benefits of ABA therapy, such as less expensive sessions. Those who choose ABA therapy for autism typically receive forty hours per week of one-on-one therapy delivered by a certified therapist. During this time, the therapist breaks down the desired behavior into simple steps and rewards the child accordingly. While Norrin didn't speak before, he learned to write letters and words by himself and now communicates through writing.
ABA therapy for autism involves systematic analysis of the basic skills and building upon them. Each session is tailored to the child's strengths and learning style. The therapist will take into account the child's interests, environment, and family history. A plan will be developed for the child that will help him achieve his or her goals. If the child has trouble communicating with others, Kids On The Move therapist will work on this skill and build upon it over time.
During the initial assessment, the therapist will determine the type of ABA therapy that is most effective for the child's particular needs. The therapist will make observations on the child and his or her parents and will then develop a formal therapy plan with concrete treatment goals. Generally, these goals relate to improving communication and decreasing problematic behaviors. The therapist will also design strategies for parents and teachers to integrate into the child's environment. If you want to know more about this topic, then click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_therapies.
Despite the popularity of ABA, the method is not for every child with autism. As with any therapy, ABA has its critics. Some parents and autism advocates consider ABA methods inhumane and/or disrespectful. One of the most controversial ABA methods is "discrete trial training," developed by Dr. Ole Ivar Lovaas in the 1960s. Lovaas' approach used a combination of positive reinforcement and punishment and aversive methods such as electric shocks. This method is no longer considered acceptable.
