If your child has been diagnosed with autism, it can feel overwhelming for you as a parent.
But you are not alone, autism is much more common than you might think. According to the CDC, about 1 in 54 children in the United States were diagnosed with ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2020 alone.
Finding interventions is important, especially in the early stages of diagnosis. ABA therapy for autism is one of the more effective treatments and comes with a plethora of positive effects.
Keep reading to learn more about ABA therapy and what it can do for you and your child.
What Is ABA Therapy?
ABA is also known as Applied Behavior Analysis and is a type of therapy for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a disorder that affects a person’s developmental processes such as communication and behavior. Those with ASD can have trouble interacting with other people, exhibit repetitive behaviors, or developmental challenges, all of which can make it difficult to function in daily life.
ABA therapy analyzes how learning and behavior work and how these are affected by one’s environment. It is based on the science of behavior and learning.
This type of therapy aims to increase desired behaviors and decrease those behaviors that hinder learning and development. With ABA, a person with autism can improve their language skills, social skills, academics, attention, and focus.
Positive Effects of ABA Therapy
There are many benefits of ABA therapy for both parents and children. Parents gain the tools to empower their children in many different areas of their lives.
It Is Individualized
For any child with special needs, it is important to deliver treatments on an individual basis. Every child is unique, and they will have a different set of needs.
Applied Behavior Analysis provides individualized assessments for your child. A professional can help to evaluate your child and focus on their specific needs to create an appropriate treatment plan.
The Treatment Is Highly Effective
One of the greatest benefits of ABA therapy is that it is one of the most effective interventions for those on the spectrum.
When implemented early, many children can function in a classroom with other children. The treatment should be started early, with high-quality, intensive care. Not only can it be beneficial for your child in an educational environment, but it can help in many other areas of their lives.
Children with ASD are equipped with the tools to thrive in daily life, and parents are given the skills to guide their children in the process.
It Helps Empower Parents
Parenting a child with ASD comes with many different challenges. Parents must navigate child-rearing in a whole new way than those parents of a typically developing child.
It can be intimidating for parents, but ABA therapy helps to empower them. This form of therapy tracks the child’s progress and ensures that parents are well equipped to guide their child through their development.
It Promotes Early Functioning Skills
One of the most positive aspects of ABA therapy is that it helps your child with functioning skills in their early stages of life. For some children, certain processes are second nature and don’t require much thought, but for children with ASD, they need guidance and repetition for daily tasks.
ABA can be very useful in helping your child with the following:
- Going to the bathroom
- Putting on their clothes
- Perfecting fine motor skills like holding a pencil
- Effective communication
- Playing with others
All of these are important to make your child successful and independent. If you are considering enrolling your child in ABA therapy, you can implement these skills at an early age.
It Helps Your Child Make Friends
Children with ASD sometimes find it more difficult to make friends. If they have a hard time sharing or understanding social cues, it can get in the way of connecting with other children.
With ABA therapy, the skills they learn make it possible for them to create friendships. They learn how to communicate, work in a group, and play with others. Many ABA programs encourage group activities for learning, making it a conducive environment for your child to meet other children and cultivate friendships.
It Teaches Independence
Giving a child the tools that they need to lead independent and happy lives is the overall goal of parenting.
To ensure that your child becomes independent in certain areas in life, ABA therapy not only introduces and teaches these skills but maintains them.
Using the bathroom independently and being able to sleep through the night are two of the most important goals that parents of children with ASD strive for. Collecting data over time is one of the most crucial ways to achieve success in these areas. If parents can recognize behavior patterns and encourage the desirable behavior, successful changes are made towards independence in these areas.
It Prepares Your Child for the Real World
All children grow up eventually, and they will lead a life outside of the nest.
The most effective ABA services will help you and your child by preparing them to take on the real world. Many of the skills that they learn in the ABA program in the early functioning stages will be useful in their adult lives.
It might be difficult to think about your child graduating high school, finding employment, or cultivating a romantic relationship. However, these are the realities of life for all children when they grow up, even those with ASD.
The skills and techniques they learn in ABA therapy will equip them for success in navigating the world as adults.
Final Thoughts on ABA Therapy for Autism
ABA therapy is one of the most utilized treatments for those with autism. It helps both parents and children in the developmental journey. The therapy is designed to make children more independent, allow them to make friends, encourage parents, and focus on early functioning with individual treatment.
With so many benefits, it’s no surprise that ABA may be one of the best treatments for children with ASD.
If you are ready for a free consultation, contact us on our website to get your child in an ABA program today!