There are many different strategies and techniques to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) learn to interact with others and acquire new skills that may help them talk, play, participate in school, and care for their needs.
Children with ASD are affected by many factors that will shape their future. Overall, the long-term outcomes of children with ASD have been improving.
Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN) now has a tool kit to help parents work with their children's applied behavior analysts. Although the tool kit was developed with children and teens in mind, it also contains helpful information for those wanting to better understand and support applied behavior analysis therapy (ABA) for an adult with autism.
Behavior analysis is a scientifically validated approach to understanding behavior and how it is affected by the environment. 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.
In general, the sooner an ASD is identified, the sooner appropriate intervention programs can begin. While it is believed that children make significant developmental gains with early and intense intervention, some children may make slow progress depending on their intelligence, the severity of their ASD symptoms, and whether or not they have associated medical problems such as seizures or significant behavioral disorders.
Children with intelligence in the typical range and milder symptoms of ASD are more likely to complete academic programs at school and have greater success in community employment as adults.
The goal of all parents, whether their child is typical or has a disability, is to help their child reach his full potential with the help of all available resources.
Join Dr. Susan Levy as she explains the variety of treatment options available for addressing kids, teens and adults with ASD.
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ABA Therapy & Exciting New Treatments for Autism
Featuring:
Susan E. Levy, M.D. is a Board certified pediatrician, with certification in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. She is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Acting Chief for the Division of Child Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Her clinical activities include attending physician in Developmental Pediatrics and Founder and Director of the Regional Autism Clinic at CHOP. She is a member of the Center for Autism Research (CAR) of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and is involved in research involving early identification of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), epidemiology of ASD and Complementary and Alternative Medical treatments of ASD. Dr. Levy is active in policy and advocacy on a local, regional and national level. She is a member of the Executive Board for the Council on Children with Disabilities of the AAP and a contributor to the Autism Toolkit.
Susan E Levy, MD, MPH
Susan E. Levy, M.D. is a Board certified pediatrician, with certification in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. She is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Acting Chief for the Division of Child Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Her clinical activities include attending physician in Developmental Pediatrics and Founder and Director of the Regional Autism Clinic at CHOP. She is a member of the Center for Autism Research (CAR) of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and is involved in research involving early identification of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), epidemiology of ASD and Complementary and Alternative Medical treatments of ASD. Dr. Levy is active in policy and advocacy on a local, regional and national level. She is a member of the Executive Board for the Council on Children with Disabilities of the AAP and a contributor to the Autism Toolkit.