When it comes to selecting the best treatment for your child, the CDC lists several treatment options for children diagnosed with ASD in four categories (e.g., behavior and communication approach, Medication, Dietary Approaches). Under behavior and communication approaches, applied behavior analysis (ABA)  is one of the approaches mentioned. But why should you consider ABA out of other treatment options? You might ask. Several reasons make ABA stands out, among others:

• Applied behavior analysis focuses on evidence-based practices: ABA therapists use interventions that have been demonstrated to be effective in studies. As children received early intensive services, it can lead to meaningful changes in behavior and skills for children diagnosed with ASD.

• Various applied settings: ABA is flexible in terms of learning environments. The therapists always adjust to each family’s needs. There are home-based, school-based, and clinic-based services. Different from many services, ABA does not have to take place in an isolated therapy space. As generalization is one of the main goals. ABA therapists encourage various spaces.

• Planning for generalization: As skills child learned should not only be performed in one particular space. For example, we would like the child to ask for attention appropriately not only at home but in school as well. Therefore, ABA helps to generalize the skills by simulate natural environments to make the generalization of skills easier.

• Inclusion of caregivers: Involvement from caregivers is one of the essential aspects that promote successful treatments. Caregivers are often encouraged to participate in the therapeutic processes in terms of learning effective skills in dealing with daily concerns and deciding treatment goals. This involvement often reduces stress at home as traditional parenting techniques are seldomly effective for children diagnosed with ASD.

When deciding treatment options that would be effective and most suitable for your child, it is important to be a critical consumer and ask questions. There are a few questions that help identify viable treatment options:

• What is the treatment that the therapist is going to provide?
• How long has the therapist been providing the particular treatment?
• Has the particular treatment been studied, and has scientific evidence in its favor?
• What are the treatment options besides the one the therapist provides?

Don’t forget Husky ABA Clinic is a wonderful resource for you if you have other questions.