In recent years the benefits of applied behavioral analysis therapy have proven to be ideal for helping individuals with autism spectrum disorder to improve a wide range of skills. ABA therapy uses a data-driven approach to track changes in behavior over time. While also finding the best therapeutic approach that is customized for each patient and their family/support system. One of the more powerful tools in an ABA therapist’s toolbox [...]
If you ask any marketing maven, they’ll tell you that the power of perception is more powerful than reality. This is due in part to the way we human beings assign a perceived value to things in a way that matters strongly to us. Yet might not carry the same perceived value for others. It’s a fundamental component of the human psyche that runs deep throughout our species. So, it [...]
Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy is often thought of as the gold standard for treating individuals with autism spectrum disorders. It’s therapeutic approaches and treatments have proven successful at every level for helping people with ASD to achieve greater personal milestones. One of the most successful, and commonly used approaches in ABA therapy is known as pivotal response therapy (PRT). This is a naturalistic intervention model that uses ABA’s data-driven [...]
It’s estimated that somewhere around 20% of the US population will experience some form of depression in their lives. Though this concerning statistic jumps up to 60% for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, where mood disorders such as depression tend to be more common. Especially in individuals with developmental disabilities. At the same time, a lot of children with ASD have communication deficiencies which can make it hard for them [...]
Discrete Trial Teaching is a facet of applied behavioral analysis therapy that is used by therapists, physicians, educators, and caregivers to help modify behavior in children with mood disorders. It tends to factor heavily in many autism spectrum disorder treatment strategies Sometimes referred to as Discrete Trial Instruction, DTT’s science-based data-driven approach has proven to be an effective way to help children learn new skills. At the same time, it’s [...]
A lot of parents of autistic children wonder if there might be some sort of connection between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and bedwetting. Especially since many autistic children have sleep disorders or sleeping issues with falling asleep and staying asleep. Many children with ASD also experience night terrors, and trouble waking up in the morning or maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Some autistic children even develop sleep apnea. So, when [...]
Naturalistic Teaching is one of ABA therapy’s core techniques for helping individuals with autism spectrum disorder and similar mood disorders to learn new skills and healthy socialization habits. It has specific approaches in classrooms as well as in clinical settings to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder to live their best possible life. The approach behind naturalistic teaching emphasizes contextual learning. It is often used as an alternative to discrete [...]
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy has grown to be seen by most industry experts as the gold standard for treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and addressing other behavioral issues. ABA therapists along with a wide range of advocacy groups have worked tirelessly with state and federal legislators in support of autism insurance reform. This has helped make ABA services easily accessible to families who have children with autism spectrum disorder. [...]
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have some degree of difficulty with speech and the use of language. The American Speech Language and Hearing Association defines a speech sound disorder as a general difficulty with perception, motor production, or phonological representation of speech sounds. Most children with ASD have some sort of speech therapist included in their support team. Improving speech and the use of language often leads to [...]
Self-injury isn’t a defining characteristic of autism spectrum disorder. Though many people with ASD engage in some form of self-injury behavior as a co-morbidity of the condition. Being able to identify the underlying disorder(s) contributing to the risk for self-injury behavior is a critical step in treatment and prevention. This often includes helping the individual to learn better communication and coping skills. What Is Self-Injury Behavior? There are actually many [...]
The CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network estimates that roughly 1 in 44 children, which is 2.3% of children in the United States have some degree of autism spectrum disorder. Though there are different levels of autism based on the type and severity of symptoms. It’s even common for children to have different severity of symptoms within each level, which makes every form of autism just a little [...]
Applied behavior analysis uses a data-driven approach to help individuals adjust their behavior away from negative outcomes to new positive behaviors. One of the most effective tools used by ABA therapists is called “Pivotal Response Training (PRT). What is Pivotal Response Therapy? This approach is designed to encourage children with autism, and others to monitor their behaviors and change them over time. PRT therapy often uses play to help the [...]
Thinking that your child may be different then the rest of the kids you know, and may have some special needs can be scary, stressful and difficult to handle. You’ve heard so much talk about Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but you’re just not sure if this is in fact what the issue is. How do you find out, who do you turn to, how do you get the answers and [...]
In an initial investigation, Lahm (1996) examined software features used in commercially available programs for their effect on engagement, affect, and choice. Data from 48 alternating treatment design studies suggest that children with disabilities, including autism, prefer programs with higher interaction requirements, animation, sound, and voice features. They show more positive affect and engage more frequently with computer programs that use preferred features and actively choose between programs based on [...]
Children who display recurring patterns of anger, defiance and uncooperative behavior toward authority are sometimes classified as having Oppositional Defiant Disorder or ODD. While several factors can contribute to ODD, for most children, the condition is treatable with psychotherapy, parental management training, and consistency. Understanding Oppositional Defiant Disorder Clinicians often group the signs of oppositional defiant disorder into three categories anger with irritability, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness. These are patterns [...]
Discipline is a natural part of raising most children. It helps them understand healthy boundaries, encourages communication, and reels them in toward behaviors that lead toward more healthy habits in adult life. Though disciplining a child with autism can be challenging territory. Your child might not understand how or why their behavior was wrong, and they might not fully grasp the consequences in a way that leads toward positive improved [...]
Cooking is a great way to connect, bond, interact, connect, and teach important life skills to any child. Though it can be especially beneficial to cook with a child with autism. In general, cooking encourages children to try new things, as they’ve invested in the process and want to experience something they created. It can even help your child to want to expand their cooking skills and take more personal [...]
Speech & Language Pathologists (SLP) play a critical role in assessing and treating individuals with speech, language, voice, and verbal fluency disorders. This includes a lot of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other conditions that cause speech and verbal processing problems. Their diagnostic and treatment process employs a wide range of different skills. This includes things like helping patients to understand and answer “Wh” questions such as Why, [...]
Oral stimulation is often an outlet for young children and children with autism. Though not everything is safe to be put into the mouth. If your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or your child is young and being evaluated for ASD, providing them with the right sensory chew toys lends toward safety as well as the oral stimulation that they need. Why Some Children With ASD Benefit from Chew [...]
Echolalia is a condition where the patient exhibits echoes and repeats sounds, phrases, or sentences. This is a condition that often manifests in children with an autism spectrum disorder. It might come in the form of common phrases used by family members, or even television shows. Though they become increasingly repetitive over time. It's also worth noting that there are different forms of echolalia. How and when they occur can [...]
