It is natural to wonder about the different therapies available to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for your child. While there are many different therapies used to treat people with autism, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is considered the gold standard. With high rates of success in helping those on the autism spectrum, it is no wonder it is the most common therapy available.
ABA therapy has shown great success in helping children with autism to achieve more independence, improve communication, and reduce negative behaviors. In fact, ABA is one of the only therapies for autism that is affirmed by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the US Surgeon General.
How Does ABA Work?
Together with the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child, our team of doctors and therapists at Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting will create a treatment plan for your child with specific goals which will be broken down into measurable steps. In this way, our expertly trained staff can monitor your child’s progress and assess if your child is ready to move to the next step or needs additional help to meet a specific goal.
Using different methods of ABA therapy using positive reinforcement and exposure to different scenarios and environments, the primary care team will monitor, screen, and evaluate your child’s progress. This continuous monitoring of their progress allows the therapy team to see which approaches are succeeding with your child and which approaches are not. Together with you, they will make changes to ensure continued success.
Parents of our patients have shared how ABA therapy has effectively reduced disruptive behaviors including tantrums, aggression, inappropriate behavior, and self-injury. Not only are negative behaviors addressed, but your child will have a team focused on increasing social skills, improving communication, and building everyday life skills that will be necessary as they get older. The improvements can be subtle, but often are incredibly easy to see. You will be so proud of all the hard work your little one will accomplish.
How Much ABA Therapy is Needed?
Repetition is the key for a child with ASD to learn and demonstrate new skills. Whether it be a full-time 40-hour per week program or an after-school program, the amount of therapy needed to be effective will depend on your child’s needs. Keep in mind, that as your child progresses, the amount of therapy needed will change and adapt. That is one of the reasons ABA therapy evaluations are such a big part of ABA therapy.
Is ABA a cure for autism?
No, there is not currently a cure for autism spectrum disorder. However, the significant effects of ASD can be minimized through consistent ABA therapy.
Dr. Solandy Forte and the team at Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting believe that teaching your child does not end when they walk out of our doors. You will be a big part of your child’s development and his/her main supporter. As such, you will always know and understand what is happening and we will communicate to you the progress your child is making. Great communication is at the heart of our patient and family-centered care.
