Why choose Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) ?
The evidence so far is that Applied Behaviour Analysis is the most effective technique for Education of children with Autism.
There are many interventions/treatments/therapies proposed to educate children with ASD and learning difficulties. Often therapies are expensive and time-consuming. If ineffective, these interventions are wasteful, and in some cases, even harmful to the child. Only a few methods have been scientifically proven to produce substantial, long-term benefits. (A brief non-technical review of therapies is given here).
PECS and TEACCH methods, both widely-used in special education for ASD, are sometimes effective. The most authoritative scientific studies show that, by far, the highest recommendation is for a behavioural analysis approach.
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- Comparison of ABA vs Eclectic methods: Howard et al. (2005) Developmental Disabilities 26 359-383.
- Effectiveness of ABA in Children with Autism. Remington et al. (2007) Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (see below)
The scientific case in favour of Applied Behavioural Analysis, and the compelling evidence from schools that have adopted this therapy, led SPEAC to set up its project based on ABA teaching.
For education and health professionals
Remington, B., Hastings, R., Kovshoff, H., degli Espinosa, F., Jahr, E., Brown, T., Alsford,
P., Lemaic, M. and Ward, N. (2007). A field effectiveness study of early intensive
behavioral intervention: Outcomes for children with autism and their parents after
two years. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 112, 418-438.
Smith, T, Groen, A.D & Wynn, J.W. (2000). Randomized Trial of Intensive Early Intervention for Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 105 (4), 269-285
Sallows, G. O. & Graupner, T. D. (2005). Intensive Behavioral Treatment for Children with Autism: Four-Year Outcome and Predictors. American Journal on Mental Retardation,
Howard J S, Sparkman C R, Cohen H G, Green G & Stanislaw H (2005) A comparison of intensive behavior analytic and eclectic treatments for young children with autism. Research in Develpmental Disabilities 26 359-383 Eikeseth, S., Smith, T., Jahr, E. & Eldevik, E. (2002). Intensive Behavioral Treatment at School for 4- to 7-Year-Old Children with Autism: A 1-Year Comparison Controlled Study. Behavior Modification, 26 (1), 49-68.