Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects the way people communicate and interact with others. Children with autism often have behavior problems, including not being able to play with other kids, having tantrums, and not being able to follow directions.
Autism behavior therapy helps children manage their behaviors so they can learn better social skills. The methods are different for each person, but most forms of behavioral therapy include rewards and consequences. Many children with autism also need help managing their emotions, as well as sensory integration. In this article, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about autism behavior therapy and whether it works or not.
What is Autism Behavioral Therapy?
Autism behavioral therapy is a treatment program that aims to improve symptoms of autism by focusing on encouraging desirable behaviors and discouraging undesirable ones.
The specific techniques used in autism behavioral therapy are often referred to as applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABA uses the principles of operant conditioning — the idea that pleasant consequences after a behavior increase the likelihood that behavior will be repeated, while unpleasant consequences decrease the likelihood of repetition.
Many people may associate this with the positive and negative reinforcement found in training animals, but it also includes rewarding positive behaviors, ignoring negative behaviors (extinction), and punishing negative behaviors. These techniques are all evidence-based, meaning they have been shown through scientific research to be effective at improving behaviors.
The goal of ABA is to provide structured teaching strategies that support positive changes in behavior. When used in an educational setting, applied behavior analysis is sometimes referred to as applied behavioral interventions (ABI). This can be done with one person or a group, depending on the needs of those being treated. While ABA has been extensively studied and found effective for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it can also be used to address concerns related to other developmental disabilities.
Behavioral Therapy Methods
Rewards and consequences — such as a star chart or sticker system — are common in behavioral therapy for autism. In reward-based therapy, kids are rewarded for good behavior and positive interactions. Consequences let kids know that certain behaviors aren’t allowed. Behavioral plans should include rewards and consequences that work for each child, depending on their age and needs.
In one form of behavioral therapy, therapists use positive reinforcement to encourage the development of positive behaviors. They do this by rewarding a child for good behavior (such as giving verbal praise or allowing him to play with a favorite toy for a few minutes). They ignore or redirect negative behaviors such as self-injury or tantrums.
In the second form of behavioral therapy – applied behavior analysis (ABA) – therapists use positive reinforcement to increase desired behaviors and reduce unwanted behaviors. For example, they might reward a child with verbal praise each time he makes eye contact with another person. Over time, the therapist will reward only instances of prolonged eye contact. Eventually, the goal is that the child will make eye contact without being rewarded for it.
Another method of autism behavioral therapy is early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI). EIBI is based on ABA techniques, but it is more intensive than typical ABA strategies. This type of therapy has been shown to be effective in children with ASD who are 2 years old or younger.
Therapists work one-on-one with children to increase communication skills and decrease challenging behaviors such as aggression toward others or self-injury.
Benefits of Autism Behavioral Therapy
Autism behavioral therapy is often the first line of defense against some of the symptoms linked to autism. The truth is that there are many benefits to this type of therapy. It’s important to understand these benefits so that you can make the most informed decision about how to treat your child’s condition.
- Treats symptoms
One of the most significant benefits of autism behavioral therapy is that it treats one or more autism symptoms. For instance, if a child has problems with communication, this type of therapy might help the child learn how to interact with other people. It may also help the child learn how to pick up on social cues and behave appropriately in different settings.
- It may treat other issues
In addition to treating some of the symptoms associated with autism, this type of therapy may also treat other issues. For example, it can help a child deal with obsessive-compulsive behaviors and self-injurious behaviors such as biting self or others and hitting self or others. It may also address problems related to anxiety, phobias, and depression.
- Improvements in behaviors
One big advantage of autism behavioral therapy is improvements in behavior. The first benefit is improved social and communication skills. For example, children who have speech delay may begin talking at their expected age with the help of this type of therapy. Other benefits include reduced self-injury, reduced destructive behavior, and improved learning abilities.
- Reduced parent stress
Another benefit of autism behavioral therapy is reduced parent stress. For instance, parents whose children engage in self-injury may experience less stress if their child’s behavior improves with the help of this type of intervention. Parents who use this type of therapy will also experience less stress when their child displays fewer problem behaviors.
- Increased independence for autistic children
Autism behavioral therapy can help improve your child’s independence. With this type of intervention, your child may be able to perform more daily tasks independently, such as getting dressed or feeding themselves. Autistic children who receive this type of treatment may also learn how to interact with other children and improve their social skills.
Takeaway
For many children, autism behavior therapy is the key to helping them develop and learn. While it doesn’t “cure” autism, it can help children with ASD lead a more productive and independent life.
Most experts agree that a combination of therapies works best for most children with autism. However, not all therapies are effective for every child with ASD. Parents who are considering autism behavior therapy should talk with their doctor about which approach is best for their child.
