Treatment plans for this type of autism therapy are created to decrease problem behavior and teach new skills. Our ABA therapy plans are implemented in the home, community settings, and our professional offices by our skilled paraprofessionals under the direct supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). We collect and analyze behavioral data in order to maximize the chance of success. When the child achieves the current behavioral goals, the autism behavioral therapy plan is modified to include new and more advanced goals.

Treatment plans are created to decrease problem behavior and teach new skills. Some behaviors we may work to decrease include tantrums, aggression, self-injurious behavior, stereotypy (i.e., “stimming”), property destruction, noncompliance, and food refusal or selectivity. Some behaviors we may teach or increase include language, academic skills, social interactions, self-help skills, play skills, following directions, staying on task, toileting, eating a variety of foods, as well as skills necessary for the self-control of emotions such as anger and frustration.

ABA is supported by more scientific research than any other treatment for autism. Since the 1960s, hundreds of research studies have proven the effectiveness of ABA in teaching important life skills and reducing problem behavior in children and adults who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The tremendous amount of scientific evidence documenting the benefits of ABA in the treatment of children and adults with autism has led a number of prestigious organizations to endorse the effectiveness of ABA therapy for autism, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Academy of Sciences, and the New York State Department of Health.

ABA is supported by more scientific research than any other treatment for autism. Since the 1960s, hundreds of research studies have proven the effectiveness of ABA in teaching important life skills and reducing problem behavior in children and adults who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The tremendous amount of scientific evidence documenting the benefits of ABA in the treatment of children and adults with autism has led a number of prestigious organizations to endorse the effectiveness of ABA therapy for autism, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Academy of Sciences, and the New York State Department of Health.

TECHNIQUE #1: Decreasing challenging behavior

How do we evaluate challenging behavior?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will conduct a comprehensive behavioral evaluation. This evaluation, known as a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA), is designed to determine exactly why the child is engaging in problem behavior. The BCBA begins by interviewing the parents, caregivers, and professionals who work with the child. If possible, the child also will be interviewed. As part of the behavioral assessment the BCBA will observe the child's behavior and may directly interact with the child.

Why do children with autism display challenging behavior?

1. To get attention (including negative attention
2. To gain access to activities, events, and material things (such as toys, games and electronics)
3. To escape or avoid requests they don't want to follow, or to escape or avoid situations they don’t want to be in

How do we develop a treatment plan?
Once we determine why the problem behavior is occurring, we are able to develop a behavioral treatment plan that is designed to replace the unwanted behavior with desirable and appropriate behavior. Research has shown that this approach can be effective for both children and adults with autism.

Example #1
At ABA Psychological Services, we identify the situations and "triggers" that evoke problem behavior. Rather than trying to decrease unwanted behavior by having the child avoid the "triggers", we teach the child how to engage in appropriate behavior when the "trigger" is presented. For example, if a child tantrums when no one is paying attention, we teach the child how to ask for attention in an appropriate manner.

Example #2
If a child is avoiding or acting out with other children because they lack social skills, we first do a thorough evaluation to determine what specific social skills are lacking. We then teach the child the skills necessary to derive satisfaction from playing cooperatively with others. When avoidance and acting out no longer serve a purpose, we often see these unwanted behaviors diminish or disappear completely.

TECHNIQUE #2: Increasing adaptive behavior and teaching new skills

How do we evaluate adaptive behavior?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will provide an evaluation to determine the child's current level of functioning and skills. The BCBA will interview the parents, caregivers, and professionals who work with the child. If possible, the child also will be interviewed. After these interviews are completed, the BCBA will conduct a detailed evaluation designed to identify deficiencies in the child's skills.

Why does ABA work?
We focus on teaching skills that are necessary for success in life. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been shown to be effective in the teaching of self-care skills, communication skills, social skills, independent living skills, and skills that are required to succeed in the workplace. ABA also has been used to teach children and adults skills that are necessary for the self-control of emotions such as anger.

How do we develop a treatment plan?
Once the goals for behavioral improvement and skills training have been developed, the BCBA will work with a highly qualified paraprofessional to determine the best methods for improving the child's behavior and teaching important skills. The paraprofessional will be responsible for implementing these teaching procedures under the supervision of the BCBA.

How do we monitor the effectiveness and progress of a treatment plan?
In ABA there is a tremendous focus on the progress each child is making in achieving behavioral and skills training goals. Every step of the way, for each and every goal, the child's behavioral progress is recorded, placed on a graph, and analyzed. In this way, the parents and the BCBA can clearly see the child's progress. If the child is not making the expected progress, the BCBA will make changes to the teaching procedures. New and more advanced goals will be developed when the child achieves the current goals.

What is the goal for our team? With all of our children and adults with an autism spectrum disorder, we work to increase social behavior, academic, and language development so that each individual can lead a more constructive and meaningful life. All of our treatment programs for children and adults are precisely tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual.