ABA Therapy: The Key to Unlocking Potential

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy is a science-backed, intensive approach to improving social behavior among children with autism. It is the most common therapy for autism in the United States, with the main goals of developing new skills, refining learned skills, and reducing problem behaviors. ABA therapy involves breaking down desirable behaviors into steps and rewarding children as they complete each step.

It is tailored to individual goals to appropriately challenge the child without making them feel discouraged. Some of the skills developed through ABA therapy for autism include social skills, communication, motor skills, self-help skills, daily living skills, and pre-academic skills. ABA therapy is a flexible treatment that involves many techniques for understanding and changing behavior. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach and should be tailored to meet the needs of the individual learner. 

RestoreABA programs involve therapists or registered behavior technicians who work directly with children and adults with autism to practice skills and work toward individual goals. More than 20 studies have established that intensive and long-term therapy using ABA principles improves outcomes for many children with autism. While ABA therapy has been shown to be effective, there is some controversy surrounding its use.

Some parents and autistic self-advocates do not support its use, arguing that it tries to make kids with autism fit neurotypical standards and that autistic kids have different needs. However, ABA therapy has been instrumental in helping children with autism learn skills and lessen problematic behaviors, and it continues to be a widely used and effective intervention.