The Application Of Applied Behaviour Analysis, In The Treatment Of ASD
Applied Behaviour Analysis, ABA, refers to the application of behaviour patterns and learning to Behaviour support for children. Through ABA, scientists study and track a child’s behaviour and create a treatment program based on the studied behaviour to reinforce the good behaviours and shun the bad habits. ABA is a continuous process, which involves constant measurements and improvement. There are several reports, reviews, and research papers that show the effectiveness of ABA in behaviour support for children with autism spectrum, ASD. Support Children's Positive Behaviour with ABA Therapists use different treatments, including occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychology or a combination of the three to
treat ASD. A body of research shows the efficacy of the treatment when used for ASD. According to a 2007 clinical report published by the American Academy of Paediatrics, the application of the ABA in
behaviour
support for children
and the treatment of ASD is not new. According to this report, autistic children who receive intense ABA treatment will show significant improvements in IQ, academic performance, and adaptive and social behaviour. The MIND Institute published a review of the ASD treatment approaches in 2008. The review found the use of the Lovaas technique in ASD treatment to be well established and effective in enhancing intellectual performance for children with ASD. In 2009, a review of measures taken to support children's positive behaviour for children aged six years or younger focused on five studies with literature on ABA. This study found that, with intense ABA treatment from a trained therapist, ABA enhances global functioning for pre-school children or younger. Another report from 2009 review studies published between 1987 and 2007 on behaviour support for children. This report created detailed descriptive, effect size, and meta-analyses for the studies on early intensive behavioural intervention, EIBI. EIBI uses the Lovaas technique to support children's positive behaviour, IQ, and enhance receptive and expressive language. However, the papers did not show how EIBI compares to other treatment programs of its type, which they say is a limitation of the studies. Another study on EIBI from 2009 concluded that the treatment method significantly improves intelligence and moderately enhance adaptive behaviour in children with ASD. In 2011, Vanderbilt University investigators collaborated with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to review studies on
ABA and other such programs used in behaviour support for children with ASD. The group concluded that the use of either the Early Start Denver Model or the UCLA/Lovaas Method was effective in enhancing cognitive performance, language, and adaptive behaviour. The Early Start Denver Model was a creation of the Sally Rogers and Geraldine Dawson.
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