ABA Training Guest Blog: from Special Learning

Early Intervention with ABA

There has never been a more accurate mantra in the field of developmental disability: “Early diagnosis leads to timely intervention…timely intervention leads to better outcome.”  We know that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) demonstrate signs of the disorder even before the age of nine months.  However, the average child with ASD is not diagnosed with the condition until the age of six.  As a result of this delay, there are several years of lost opportunity. This is especially important because the years from birth to three are so crucial in a child’s life. So what’s the best way to implement early intervention strategies?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is considered by many researchers and clinicians to be the most effective evidence-based treatment approach for children with ASD. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, thirty years of research on the ABA approach have shown very positive outcomes when it is used as an early intervention tool for ASD. Studies show about 50% of children with autism who were treated with the ABA approach before the age of four had significant increases in IQ, verbal ability, and social functioning.

ABA teaches communication, social, and motor behaviors in addition to reasoning skills and self-help skills that are useful to promote independent living.  ABA treatment specializes in teaching behaviors to children with ASD who may otherwise not learn on their own as other children would.

The ABA approach can be used by a parent, counselor, or certified behavior analyst EVERYWHERE! It aims to help children with autism lead more independent and socially active lives. Research shows that this positive outcome is more common for children who have received early intervention, when the brain is critically developing during the preschool years.

As a parent or educator working with a child with Autism obtaining the necessary training to implement effective ABA treatment can be difficult juggling a home and work schedule. So, Special Learning is bringing the convenience of online training to you! Our ABA Online Training Program provides comprehensive training in the methods if ABA implementation, so you can start helping your child TODAY! Visit www.special-learning.com/aba_online_training for more information or to register for one of our upcoming courses!

Take the first steps in securing a brighter and more successful live for your child today!