Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA THERAPY) is often recommended for persons diagnosed with Autism, ADD, ADHD and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
History of Applied behavior analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy was first developed in the 1970s by Psychologist Ivar Lovaas and Robert Koegel at UCLA. The original approached developed was a technique or sub-set of ABA Therapy called Discrete Trial Training (DTT), which is still used today.
Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is best known for its success in treating individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (e.g., Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities). Treatment in this area is effective across an individual’s lifespan (i.e., childhood, adolescence, adulthood). In young children with developmental disabilities such as ASD, the goal of intensive, comprehensive intervention is to improve cognitive, language, social, and self-help skills. Decades of research have shown that intensive ABA treatment is the most successful approach for children with autism, and it is widely recognized by a number of sources including the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Institute of Mental Health. When applied to older individuals, ABA involves teaching behaviors essential to functioning effectively in the home, school, and community. ABA can also decrease severe problem behaviors that endanger health and safety, and limit educational, residential, or vocational options. Concentration areas within this sub-specialty include: focused intervention, intensive and comprehensive intervention for young children, and treatment of severe behavior problems.