Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), when used with children diagnosed with autism, focuses on the core deficits of autism: behavior, communication and socialization. The goal is to provide the tools to help these children gain age appropriate skills in these three arenas. But, we have to remember, that age appropriateness does no meant perfection. Almost all 3 year olds will whine or cry over something small, most 7 year olds engage in disruptive behaviors and many 10 year olds will refuse to follow directions at some point in time. Most 6 year olds are unable to carry a 15 minute back and forth conversation, and this should not be expected. So, while asking and answering questions might be part of a child’s treatment program, there are age appropriate limits.
Repetitive behavior, tantrums and vocal scripting are all common behaviors for children diagnosed with autism. These are behaviors that ABA can and will focus on decreasing and replacing with appropriate behaviors. ABA can help increase appropriate behaviors of following directions, using words to communicate wants and needs, take deep breaths when feeling angry or upset and/or keeping hands to yourself. It will not push a child passed appropriate behaviors,. For example, kids often cry when they fall or when they are told no to something they really want, however, we do not want a child to cry AND hit during this time. It is okay to be sad, in fact, it is encouraged that a child expresses themselves when they feel a certain way. Children should be given this time, and know that it is okay. So, if a child with autism engages in hitting while crying, the behavior we want to replace is the hitting, not necessarily the crying. There may be times that crying would be inappropriate, this depends on the situation.
We want kids to be kids, and enjoy this time. We are not striving to form perfect people, we are striving to help kids live to their greatest potential. Prior to ABA treatment, a Board Certified behavior Analyst (BCBA) creates a treatment plan for a child. Each treatment plan includes long term goals for that child. Again, these are age appropriate skills. For instance, a long term goal may be to sit and wait, with hands down, for up to ten minutes depending on the situation. Once this is mastered, we would not expand on this goal, to waiting for a longer period of time if it is not appropriate for the child's age.
While we want children to fulfill their potential, we do not want to push them passed this. Asking for them to complete or master something that they are not ready for, can actually have a negative impact. This can lead to unwanted behaviors and even not being ready to complete such a skill when it is appropriate. This is why long term goals are created for each child, with their particular skill sets in mind. A good ABA program allows kids to be kids.
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