ABA Therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an evidence-based therapy and science of changing behavior. ABA therapy has many years of research and evidence behind it. Behavior analysis focuses on the principles that explain how learning takes place. Positive reinforcement is one such principle. When a behavior is followed by some sort of reward, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. Through decades of research, the field of behavior analysis has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the use of these techniques and principles to bring about meaningful and positive change in behavior.
As mentioned, behavior analysts began working with young children with autism and related disorders in the 1960s. A wide variety of ABA techniques have been developed for building useful skills in learners with autism – from toddlers through adulthood.
These techniques can be used in structured situations such as a classroom lesson as well as in "everyday" situations such as family dinnertime or the neighborhood playground.

How Does ABA Benefit Those with Autism?

Today, ABA is widely recognized as a safe and effective treatment for autism. It has been endorsed by a number of Researchers, Scientists and Medical Doctors, including the U.S. Surgeon General and the New York State Department of Health. Over the last decade, the world has seen a particularly dramatic increase in the use of ABA therapy to help people with autism to live happy and to have productive lives. In particular, ABA principles and techniques can foster basic skills such as looking, listening and imitating, as well as complex skills such as reading, conversing and understanding another person’s perspective.

For more information about behavior analysis and ABA you can go through the following sources:
i. Association of Professional Behavior Analysts
ii. Association for Behavior Analysis International
iii. Behavior Analyst Certification Board