People are social creatures; we all crave human connection in our lives, and children with autism are no different. They want to have meaningful interactions with their family members and other kids as much as anyone else.
For kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), however, the human connection works differently. ASD can affect a child’s communication skills and how they socially relate to other people. They could:
- Show disinterest in playing, sharing, or talking with others
- Avoid physical contact altogether
- Not look others in the eye
- Not respond when they hear their name
- Not recognize when someone is joking or being sarcastic
- Struggle to deal with their own or other people’s emotions
- Have trouble expressing themselves or staying on topic in conversations
- Feel better when they are alone
As children grow up, social challenges with family and friends can become more confusing and healthy relationships could be harder to maintain.
Can ABA Therapy Help?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children can help alleviate the stress and anxiety often brought on by not knowing how to relate to others, especially during different life stages. ABA can help a person with autism spectrum to better master the language, communication, and social skills they need to connect with others. The philosophy and techniques of ABA enable these children to build confidence in developing better social interactions. As part of the therapy, the children are brought together with their family members to learn how to build meaningful relationships.
That is why it matters when parents, other family members, and caregivers are involved in ABA therapy recommendations. The person with autism receives positive feedback for demonstrating socially appropriate behavior while their family members learn to understand how to handle any behavioral challenges they might face – together.
How Does ABA Therapy Help Create More Connected Families?
ABA therapy helps foster healthy family relationships in the following ways.
- Improves the family bond through better communication.
- ABA therapists focus on strengthening communication skills among all family members.
- Teaches family members how the child with autism communicates. Through customized ABA therapy appointments, parents and other family members can learn and understand:
- How to identify triggers that lead to negative behavior
- How certain environmental factors affect their family’s relationships
- How to support the person with autism in building better coping skills
- What strategies will enable better connections with family
- Helps everyone understand each other’s language.
- A child with autism will improve their ability to express themselves. Instead of escaping through avoidant behaviors, they will learn to establish eye contact and how to effectively convey their thoughts, ideas, and needs to others.
- Parents, other family members, and caregivers who participate in ABA get a better understanding of the diagnosis, how it is likely to affect the person with autism, and strategies to support the process.
With the skills learned through ABA therapy, people with autism are more able to integrate into their communities with less stress and anxiety. Together with their family members, they can enjoy family outings, vacations, and other experiences more often.
Is There Evidence That ABA Works?
ABA therapy is affirmed by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the U.S. Surgeon General as a valid, evidence-based therapy for autism.
What’s more, medical research conducted in 2022 shows that modern approaches to ABA therapy are very successful for most people with autism. In study after study, the evidence establishes that intensive therapy for one to three years that uses ABA principles can improve outcomes.
Free Guide From GBC
An Essential Guide to Autism and ABA
Understand the Ins and Outs of Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy
Our mission at GBC is to inspire and empower families to truly understand the benefits of ABA therapy so they can better relate to one another, and as a result, grow closer. For that, you want to go beyond the online discussions and dive deeper.
We’ve created An Essential Guide to Autism and ABA to explain:
- What Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is
- What Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is
- How ABA therapy can help create more connected families
