5 Reasons Why ABA Therapy Works

What is Behavior Analysis?

Behavior analysis is the science of how we act.  The fundamental principle is behaviorism, which is intended to improve an outcome by modifying one’s behavior.  Behavior analysis focuses on how behavior is learned and how it can be modified to create different outcomes.  We’ve come to understand the link between behavior with regard to its antecedents and consequences, and how to change behavior patterns to produce desired outcomes.  

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) has been empirically shown to produce positive outcomes across a wide variety of disciplines, not just autism.  However, since early studies included individuals with autism and other intellectual disabilities, applied behavior analysis for these individuals has the largest body of research and evidence supporting its efficacy.  So why does it work?

1. Based in Evidence

ABA therapy is an evidence-based treatment that has many hundreds of studies to support its efficacy for individuals with autism.  A treatment is considered “evidence-based” if it has been repeatedly demonstrated through well-designed, scientific studies to show improvements that are sustained over time.  While the range of outcomes for kids that receive ABA therapy can vary based on several factors, it has shown to be effective in improving daily living skills, communication skills, social / play skills, and reducing challenging behaviors.  

While the range of success may vary, most children demonstrate improvement from their baseline.  This means that most achieve skills above where they started even when extraneous variables are accounted for, showing a relationship between ABA and skill development.

2. Individualized

How ABA is applied to your child depends on the specific characteristics of your child and ideally his input on his program.  The treatment plan, often designed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), is founded on the science of ABA yet adapted to the client.  By constantly monitoring your child’s behavior, the principles of ABA can be applied in a variety of ways.  Treatment is able to be changed quickly if something is not working, or if the clinician believes another approach may work better.  The BCBA constantly reviews the data from the therapy sessions and analyzes it through a process of continuous refinement to produce the best outcomes for your child.  

3. Family Satisfaction

In addition to helping your child achieve favorable clinical outcomes, another goal of ABA is to improve the satisfaction of their family’s lives.  Parenting a child with autism can be extremely difficult.  For example, a child engaging in challenging behaviors can have a detrimental impact on both the child and his family.  ABA uses evidence-based principles to not only decrease challenging behaviors but also increase replacement behaviors.  Part of any ABA program should focus on helping each family spend less time worrying and more time enjoying their family for who they are.

4. Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement increases the future likelihood that an action or behavior will occur.  In order for positive reinforcement to be effective, it needs to be tailored to what is reinforcing for your child.  Unlike punishment based procedures, positive reinforcement helps promote the intended behavior through encouragement and builds confidence within your child.  Great ABA programming focuses on increasing behaviors through individualized positive reinforcement practices.

5. Fun and Engaging

People tend to learn better when they are having fun.  Austitic children are exactly the same.  ABA embeds treatment into play when possible and uses each child’s interests and strengths to build programs that make learning fun.  By taking the principles of behavioral analysis and catering them to each child, the BCBA aims to develop a treatment plan that is engaging and effective.    

References

About Behavior Analysis.  Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Autism and Alternative Treatments: Are They Effective?  Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

The Top 10 Reasons Children With Autism Deserve ABA. National Center for Biotechnology Information 

Galliant White Paper.  Dr. Michelle Kuhn.