Is ABA Therapy Effective?
If your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you are probably searching for ways to support them as best as possible. And if you have been searching for options, you’ve likely come across applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy.
This science- and evidence-based approach to learning and behavior is considered today as the leading treatment for children on the autism spectrum. It uses positive reinforcement to teach children with ASD skills by breaking down tasks into small individual steps.
It requires repetition over time to succeed, but can result in children making huge gains in communication, social and daily life skills.
As with anything, there are some skeptics out there who wonder whether ABA therapy is effective. The short answer to that question is that yes, it is — and it’s very effective.
Just like ABA therapy itself, that statement is backed by science, facts and statistics.
Read more: Is ABA Therapy Harmful?
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Studies Prove ABA Therapy is Effective
Many studies have been conducted into ABA therapy and whether it’s an effective treatment for children with autism. A overwhelming majority of those studies have proven that it is indeed effective for people on the autism spectrum.
These studies have proven that if a child receives ABA therapy on a consistent basis for anywhere from one to three years, they can show significant improvements in social and intellectual functioning, and language development.
Beyond those studies, the American Psychological Association1 and the U.S. Surgeon General also both recognize ABA therapy as the best practice to treat not only children who have autism, but adults on the autism spectrum, too.
‘Evidence-Based’ is the Key
ABA therapy claims to be evidence-based, but what does that mean? It means that scientific tests have proven that it’s very useful, of high-quality and is very effective at treating children who have ASD.
This evidence has suggested that outcomes can be improved for many children with autism if they receive intensive ABA therapy. In many cases, this involves therapy sessions that total anywhere from 20 to 40 hours per week2 for between one and three years.
What the studies have shown is that if ABA therapy is administered in this way, on this consistent timeframe, it can result in children with ASD showing gains with daily living skills, social functioning, language development and intellectual functioning.
ABA Therapy is Considered the ‘Gold-Standard’
One particular study termed ABA therapy to be the “gold-standard” of treatments for children with autism. It concluded that intensive ABA therapy can result in children improving their behavior, communication and functional status.
It’s most effective when it’s started early, when children are young — as soon after an ASD diagnosis as possible — and when the treatment is administered consistently over a period of time.
While the general time period for ABA therapy is between 12 and 24 months, according to this particular study, the “appropriate amount” of ABA therapy can vary considerably from one child to the next.
Why is ABA Therapy So Effective?
One of the great parts about ABA therapy is that there is no one single answer to that question. In other words, there are many different aspects of ABA therapy that are beneficial, and combined, they make the treatment so effective.
In fact, research has revealed that the treatment has a success rate of higher than 89% in treating children with ASD3.
ABA therapy doesn’t rely on unproven theories; it relies on proven methods of treatment that are based specifically in scientific results.
It’s also not a general approach to treating children with autism. Instead, ABA therapy plans are catered specifically to each individual child, based on their specific strengths and challenges.
ABA therapy is also highly adaptable. As children make progress, or show that they need more help in a certain area, the ABA therapist will work to adjust the ABA therapy treatment plan so that it serves each child best.
A big part of the treatment also includes involving parents, caregivers and other family members into the plan. This helps to reinforce the skills that are learned during sessions after the sessions are over.
In this way, the children are able to apply the lessons they learn to real-world situations, with heavy support from their parents, caregivers and family members.
Trust Blue Gems ABA with Your Child’s Treatment Plan
ABA therapy is the leading treatment for children with autism, and the above are just some of the reasons why this is true. It’s not just theorized that ABA therapy can help children on the autism spectrum; it’s been proven time and again to be successful.
At Blue Gems ABA, we have a team of dedicated and experienced therapists who administer ABA therapy to children on the autism spectrum in clinical and home-based settings. We are committed to helping your child grow and live a happy and fulfilling life.
To learn more, please contact us today.
617-297-7998
617-340-3371
info@bluegemsaba.com
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