According to reports by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Research Council, behavior and
communication approaches that help children with ASDs are those that provide structure, direction, and organization
for the child in addition to family participation.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

A notable treatment approach for people with an ASD is called applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABA has become
widely accepted among healthcare professionals and used in many schools and treatment clinics. ABA encourages
positive behaviors and discourages negative behaviors in order to improve a variety of skills. The child’s progress is
tracked and measured.

For example, a teacher might ask a child put his toys away. If the child puts his toys away, the teacher will praise the
child (e.g., “Great job!”). If the child does not put the toys away the teacher might guide the child’s hand or withhold a
reward until the child puts the toys away. The teacher would then record how many times the child put his toys away to
see how well the treatment is working.

ABA methods are used to:

Teach new skills

Increase new positive behaviors

Continue positive behaviors

Cut down on behaviors that interfere with learningThere are different types of ABA. Following are some examples:

Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
DTT is a style of teaching that uses a series of trials to teach each step of a desired behavior or response. Lessons are
broken down into their simplest parts and positive reinforcement is used to reward correct answers and behaviors. Incorrect
answers are ignored.

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI)
This is a type of ABA for very young children with an ASD, usually younger than five, and often younger than three.

Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
PRT aims to increase a child’s motivation to learn, monitor his own behavior, and initiate
communication with others. Positive changes in these behaviors should have widespread effects
on other behaviors.

Verbal Behavior Intervention (VBI)
VBI is a type of ABA that focuses on teaching verbal skills. While today, the main research-based
treatment for ASDs is intensive structured teaching of skills, often called behavioral intervention,
there are many different therapy options available. What works for one child with autism, may not
work with all children with autism. The saying goes, “If you meet a child with autism, then you
have met, ONE child with autism.” It is very important to start this intervention as early as possible
to help your child reach his or her full potential. Acting early can make a real difference in your child’s life.

You don’t have to wait for the autism diagnosis, to start therapies.

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