Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Verbal Behavior Is Enhanced By ABA Therapy

When it comes to autism spectrum disorder, the list of possible symptoms is enormous. Different forms of the disorder can present in a variety of ways, and for many children, they present with problems in verbal communication. Some children simply do not start speaking within the accepted time frame, and some never learn to communicate verbally on their own at all. ABA therapy is designed to help teach verbal behavior and can make a world of difference for children with autism spectrum disorder. It is also the most commonly approved treatment for autism in schools and with state insurance companies.

There is a very good reason why most insurers only recognize ABA therapy as an acceptable treatment for autism, and that is because there are decades of studies and evidence that the treatment not only helps children learn, but offers them continued benefit for the rest of their lives. Many children who receive ABA therapy at an early age are able to exhibit verbal behavior skills that they carry with them into adulthood and that they are able to use not only in school, but in their careers as well.

Verbal behavior, like other behaviors, is taught through discrete trial teaching. With ABA therapy, behaviors are taught by breaking them down into their most basic steps. Each step is taught until it can be mimicked without prompting until behaviors and concepts have been learned. The treatment offers more than just rote memorization, however, as it is also shown to help create new pathways in the brain that help children learn new skills on their own. ABA therapy also works to eliminate offering attention for negative behaviors by ignoring them and instead offering verbal or physical rewards for positive and appropriate verbal or physical behaviors.

Verbal difficulties are incredibly common for children with autism spectrum disorder, but ABA therapy can offer significant help. Many children who receive early intervention with ABA therapy can learn to communicate on the same level as their peers, and many eventually move on to traditional classrooms with very little difficulty. The earlier a child receives ABA, the more beneficial it can be, and studies show that a combination of both home and school based therapy can be the most effective. With DVD courses available for both parents and educators, it can be easy to provide consistent training, greatly improving verbal behavior for any child with autism spectrum disorder.

Garrett Butch is the father of a 6 year old with autism and the founder of Maximum Potential Group.

Maximum Potential has developed courses that train parents and school systems how to work with children with autism.

http://www.maximumpotentialkids.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Garrett_Butch



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