Speac

ABA systematically analyses, observes, measures and teaches new behaviour. It has been rigorously evaluated worldwide in a variety of contexts over 30 years. There is overwhelming evidence in the US, Canada and the UK of its effectiveness in teaching children with autism.

 

ABA works by breaking each task down into small steps. For example, brushing your teeth involves many different steps so a ‘tooth brushing programme’ will work on each of these small steps one by one until the child completes the task. Using this method, coupled with positive reinforcement to reward success, children gradually build up a collection of skills from toilet training to playing with their peers.

The US National Institutes of Mental Health reported :

"Among the many methods available for treatment and education of people with autism, applied behavior analysis (ABA) has become widely accepted as an effective treatment. A Report of the US Surgeon General states, “Thirty years of research demonstrated the efficacy of applied behavioral methods in reducing inappropriate behavior and in increasing communication, learning, and appropriate social behavior. (”Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institute of Mental Health, 1999)