Just how effective is Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) Therapy? Several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of this therapy since it gained popularity via the Lovaas method. The great thing about this therapy is it is so comprehensively tested most insurances cover it for children with Autism. ABA is proven to be extremely beneficial.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) THERAPY?
Jennifer Charles
Here are several sources that state just how crucial ABA is for children with autism:
Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 2011; Vol 23: pp 616–620: Found that behavioral interventions are effective for cognitive abilities, language, adaptive behaviors, social skills and reduced anxiety/aggression.
American Journal on Mental Retardation, 1993; Vol. 97, No. 4: pp 359-372: Children who received ABA were tested again at an older age and were found to have benefited from long-term progress.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1987; Vol. 55, No. 1: pp3-9: 9 out of 19 children attained average functioning after 40 hours a week of ABA.
Pediatrics 2012; Vol. 130; S186: Forty-eight autistic patients received ABA at the age of 2, their IQ and communication improved significantly.
Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism, National Research Council: States; 40 years of testing ABA has shown that it decreases problem behaviors and teaches new skills to those with autism.
American Psychological Association website: “Since medications on their own rarely improve behavior, behavioral interventions are crucial.”
ABA is not an experimental therapy that pokes and prods at your child in hopes of finding a ‘cure’ or something that might help. ABA is a proven method that will help your child with autism reach a level of skills and functioning you may never have thought possible.