One percent of the world’s population has Autism Spectrum Disorder, with an estimated rate of one in every 54 children. Over 3.5 million Americans are living with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and the condition has been more prevalent between 2000 and 2010 spiking by up to 119.4%.
In most cases, ASD is diagnosed after the age of four and, in some cases, as early as age two. Most children with ASD have an intellectual disability. Only 25 percent are in the borderline IQ range, while 44 percent have IQ scores that are average or above average.
Finding the right teaching and learning mechanisms is key to providing children who have Autism and other developmental delays with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in the world.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy is one of the systems that are proving invaluable by making the process of learning fun and keeping children engaged longer.
What is ABA Therapy?
ABA Therapy is based on the science and understanding of learning and behavior analysis. Behavior analysis is critical in helping determine;
- How behavior works.
- How Learning takes place
- And how an environment can affect behavior.
ABA Therapy relies on this understanding of how behavior reacts to real situations to enhance practices that are helpful to Learning. At the same time, it decreases actions that are detrimental or can negatively affect Learning.
How ABA Therapy Makes Learning Fun
Children who have Autism and other developmental delays are often hyperactive with short attention spans.
Making learning fun is key in not only helping the children maintain interest longer but also helping muscle development and develop behaviors that encourage learning.
The fun and play aspect of ABA Therapy is in the Natural Environment Training (NET) approach. This approach focuses more on naturalistic, play-based Learning. Children can play independently while being prompted to socialize with others by the instructor. Through play, the child acquires skills that are essential in real-world settings.
To ensure each child benefits the most from the play and fun, ABA Therapy incorporates several guidelines which include:
- Considering each child as unique. Even if the children suffer from the same condition, ABA Therapy encourages treating each child as an individual. This means finding an appropriate motivation for each child.
- Finding the right motivation for the child. Finding the right option can make it easier to get them to complete their worksheet when they know they can play with their favorite toys after completing the task.
- Keeping it natural. ABA Therapy is not limited to a table. It takes place anywhere and anytime. While skill-building might start at a table, the Learning quickly spills over to the natural environment where the child is more comfortable. It also happens that a natural environment presents numerous learning opportunities for the child.
- Most ABA Therapy lessons will start in a familiar setting, using everyday objects. Once the basics are mastered, the lessons are extended to other situations. This not only brings an aspect of fun to learning but also prepares the student for life experiences with tools and knowledge they can use and apply.
How ABA Therapy Uses Positive Reinforcement to Encourage Learning
Positive reinforcement is a vital tool in teaching children who have Autism. It encourages the students to promote behaviors that result in a pleasant stimulus or motivation. Rewarding the behavior increases the chances of the same behavior recurring.
This method is applied to various positive reinforcement contexts, to reward and encourage good behavior.
There are various types of positive reinforcements in the ABA Therapy system. Each of them is designed for different students and different settings, allowing Learning and rewarding to take place as the lesson continues.
Instructors and guardians can use a blend of reinforcers depending on the situation and the lesson in question.
- Natural and direct reinforcement. This is the most basic type of reinforcement. It results directly from appropriate behavior. For instance, if the child acts appropriately in group activities, they get more invitations in the future. It’s crucial to provide the student with the right reinforcement. If the child shows an interest in participating, the best reinforcement is to provide that child with an opportunity.
- Social reinforcement. Most social reinforcements require mediation by a teacher, a facilitator, parents, or even peers. Social reinforcement calls for praise and approval for appropriate behavior. Comments like “Good job!” “You did really well,” or written approvals and expressions like smiling, clapping, or nodding your head are all effective social reinforcers.
- Activity reinforcement. Activity reinforcers are very effective. They allow the student to participate in their favorite activities like games or computers, which has a powerful effect not only on their behavior but also on their development. Allowing the student to choose a classmate to participate in the activity also encourages social reinforcement.
- Token reinforcement. Tokens like points or stars are awarded for appropriate behavior. The tokens might have little value, but they can be exchanged for something of value.
- Tangible enforcement. For appropriate behavior, the student can be rewarded with physical items like toys, stickers, trophies, awards, or edibles. It’s imperative to choose the right reinforcement for your child because it is a powerful motivator for the child.
Not all students will respond to all types of positive reinforcements in the same way. It’s important to observe the student and evaluate so you can select an effective reinforcement.
Wrapping Things Up
Other than playtime, fun, and positive reinforcement, there are other facets of ABA Therapy that are crucial; data collection. While the therapy is extremely beneficial, it’s vital to understand that it only works as it is supposed to when it is customized for the individual child.
Getting in touch with Pediatric Therapy Clinic can provide the child with a second layer that provides professional support to accelerate mobility and socialization skills for your child. Contact us today.