Autism and other developmental disorders are being diagnosed at a high rate today, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The most recent rate reported by the CDC states that one in every 50 children between the ages of 6 and 17 has an autism spectrum disorder. Many theories have been advanced as to the cause of the rise in the numbers as well as suggested ways to treat children diagnosed with autism, Asperger’s syndrome or a similar disorder. One of the treatment approaches that has had verifiable success is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This type of treatment is a cornerstone of a program that treats Autism in Green Bay, WI.
ABA focuses on developing a very individualized plan for each child, taking into consideration the skills he has developed, the challenges he faces due to his disorder and the things that motivate him to work toward a goal.
Helping a child with a developmental disorder like autism often means giving him the tools he needs to effectively relate to the people in his life such as parents, siblings, teachers and classmates. Communication and social skills are essential tools many autistic children haven’t yet mastered. Therapists and counselors often use ABA to show a child how to make his needs known without resorting to meltdowns or withdrawal because of sensory overload. The technique also helps an autistic child develop the basic skills he needs to learn to care for himself and eventually live on his own when he reaches the proper age.
Research has shown that high-quality therapy programs focused on ABA techniques can help children with autism and Asperger’s syndrome learn, communicate and reason at a much higher level than children who haven’t had the therapy. Children as young as two years old can benefit from ABA therapy in intensive programs that immerse the child in a weekly program for between 25 and 40 hours, designed to last one to three years. A child who undergoes ABA therapy for Autism in Green Bay, WI has a much better chance of developing the important skills he needs to live a quality life.
