You’ve seen the symptoms in your child, consulted with your doctor and met with a developmental pediatrician. You received the diagnosis, your child has autism. From the first symptom up until the present, and beyond, you may, and most likely do, feel a mix of emotions. You may be nervous for what this means for your child and his/her future. Will my child have friends or hold a job? This definite diagnosis also provides you with the opportunity to create a path for your child now. Once your child received a diagnosis, allow yourself to feel your emotions; then, create your pathway. The sooner your child receives services, the better the results.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the leading therapy for children with autism. There is a reason for this. ABA works on building a foundation to help your child in the future as well as thrive in the present. The core symptoms of autism are deficits in social skills, behavior and communication. While all children are different and possess their own strengths and weaknesses, these are probably some areas where you have seen your child struggle. The process of ABA therapy includes initial assessments and continued assessments to help determine the needs of your child, and in which areas therapy should focus. Based on the initial assessment, an individualized treatment plan will be created to help your child with the deficits in these areas. It will also include parent training goals to help you, the parent, with behaviors and skill building within the home and community. Within a treatment plan, larger objectives are identified and short term goals are used to reach these objectives. In other words, larger skills are broken down into smaller parts. Your child will work on and master each smaller part before mastering the larger skill or objective.
ABA uses techniques and methodologies that focus on the positive. Let your child feel proud of successes as opposed to bad over incomplete skills or inappropriate behaviors. This feeling of pride is often a large reinforcer for children, including special needs and neurotypical. Your child’s reinforcers, or what they prefer, are assessed as well. Once they are determined, your child will have access to these reinforcers for correct responses or appropriate behaviors. Positive praise is often given throughout treatment to encourage positivity. ABA sets your child up for success.
You will feel all types of emotions once that autism diagnosis is given. It may be a surprise or you might even expect it. Either way, it is not easy. You want to do what’s best for your child, and may not even know what that looks like. The best thing you could do for your child is to start services early. ABA is the leading therapy for children with autism. Enrolling your child an an ABA program will start their journey to reaching their greatest potential, which is always the goal.
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