How effective is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy?

Just how effective is Applied Behavior 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.

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.

Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy (ABA) is amazing because it isn’t designed to tackle autism by itself.

Sometimes Autism isn’t the only diagnoses that a child on the spectrum is diagnosed with. A child who has autism may also be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Anxiety, Depression and more. There is a 30% chance your child may also have a specific phobia, and a significant number have intellectual disabilities. Autism isn’t as straightforward as some may believe which is why it’s difficult to tackle it with most conventional therapies.  

Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy (ABA) is amazing because it isn’t designed to tackle autism by itself. It is a therapy used in all areas of life, from career, to sports, to businesses and other disorders. When you put your child into an ABA programme, you’re not only providing help with life skills they lack (due to the way their brain functions), but also skills to help with a variety of issues and other disorders.

If you’re concerned your child may have issues outside of autism, such as ADHD, you can ask your DR to refer your child for further testing. Here are some symptoms and behaviors:

ADHD: Aggression, excitable, fidgeting, hyper, impulsive, irritable, no restraint, repetitive words and behaviors, absent-minded, no focus, forgetful, short attention, angry, anxious, bored, excited, mood-swings.

ODD:  Aggressive, antisocial, impulsive, irritable, screams, self-injures, vindictive, argumentative, angry, anxious, depressed, lack of attention.

Anxiety: Tired, restless, sweating, hyperventilates, irritated, racing thoughts, intrusive thoughts, excessive worry, fear, feelings of impending doom, nausea, trembling.

Depression: Apathy, discontent, guilt, hopelessness, not interested in anything, seems bored, mood-swings, tired, insomnia, agitated, cries a lot, no appetite or extreme appetite, slow movements, suicidal thoughts, no concentration, weight gain or loss, repeats thoughts, obsessive thinking.