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There are several different treatment options for children with autism, one of the most popular and widely-used being ABA, or applied behavior analysis therapy. KGH Autism Services is proud to offer families an ABA treatment option, which we’ve seen help many families navigate the journey of having a loved one with autism. So what is ABA therapy? We’re going to break down what it is, how it works and the benefits of this type of treatment plan. 

What is ABA Therapy: The Origin Story 

So what is ABA therapy? Essentially, it’s a method of teaching certain behaviors through reinforcement techniques. Practitioners use the therapy to treat issues with communication, motor skills and behavioral disorders. The American Psychological Association classifies ABA as “evidence based” because it’s supported by peer-reviewed research. 

Let’s go back to the beginning. The term “applied behavior analysis” was first published in the 1960s and was applied by some of the leading learning theorists & behaviorists of the time. ABA therapy refers to a type of treatment using an in-depth educational process where individuals are taught behavior, one task at a time, using positive reinforcement as a motivator. 

ABA therapy helps encourage desired behaviors (and discourages unwanted behavior) by rewarding the sought after conduct, and vice versa. There are several different methods therapists may use depending on the age of the patient and the behaviors they are trying to teach. So, let’s talk about those different methods and how they work. 

What is ABA Therapy: The Different Methods & How it Works 

So what are the methods used in ABA therapy? Although all types of ABA training share a foundation, there are different approaches to the method. Here are some of the ways ABA therapy works. 

Discrete Trial Training (DTT): DTT refers to the three-step process many therapists use to teach a skill. The three steps include presenting a cue or instruction, the behavior that follows the cue or instruction, and the consequence to that behavior.

Natural Environment Training (NET): NET is a framework to put new skills to use. Natural Environment Training takes what’s been learned and brings it into a natural environment so skills can be practiced and perfected.

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI): EIBI refers to an intensive approach used with children to teach social and communication skills early on. It’s an intensive, targeted approach to meeting the learning needs of the individual child. 

Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI): NDBI uses a play-based and naturalistic approach to teach language, social communication, play, and other early learning skills.  NDBI incorporates the science of learning and developmental science to maximize learning and brain development.  

Most treatment plans are broken up into two different categories: comprehensive and focused. 

1. Comprehensive ABA Therapy is a more in-depth approach to teaching someone many different skills, to be used in a plethora of environments. The practitioner often spends several hours a week with their patient to help form new behaviors and skills, sometimes in several different environments (like at their school and/or home). 

2. Focused ABA Therapy focused therapy is a targeted approach to teaching someone a particular behavior or skill, or helping dealing with a specific situation that they’re having trouble with. Rather than using ABA to form many different skills and habits, it laser-focuses on a particular area of concern. 

What is ABA Therapy: The Benefits of Choosing an ABA Treatment Plan 

Thousands of families and providers (including KGH) have witnessed the benefits of ABA therapy. Studies show that ABA therapy is a successful method of teaching new skills to children with autism.  

More than 20 studies have established that intensive and long-term therapy using ABA principles improves outcomes for many children with autism, according to research cited by Autism Speaks. “Intensive” and “long term” refer to programs that provide 25 to 40 hours a week of therapy for 1 to 3 years. These studies show gains in intellectual functioning, language development, daily living skills and social functioning.

In short, ABA has helped many children living with autism learn new skills and behaviors that help them interact with their world in more productive ways. Benefits of ABA therapy can include: 

• An increased ability, and comfort, in navigating everyday social situations
• A decrease in unwanted behaviors like tantrums and other forms of lashing out (by learning how to manage complicated feelings like anger and anxiety)
• The development of focused, or comprehensive, skills: which can include overall communication tactics, or specific things like going to the bathroom or brushing teeth
• An increase in IQ and improvements to memory
• Improvements to attention and learning 
• May create a template for parents to follow so they can help their child learn at home

At KGH, we specialize in developmental and play-based ABA therapy for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Learn about our comprehensive and focused ABA programs and how they can help your family: KGH ABA programs