| Are you the parent of a young child with autism? Did | | | | the program athome, and seek reimbursement from |
| you know thatthere is a behavioral treatment for | | | | their school district. Check out ABAcaselaw at |
| autism, called applied behavioralanalysis (ABA)? This | | | | While some states have passed autism specific |
| article will educate you about ABA, so that youcan | | | | private insurancemandates, only three states |
| advocate special education personnel for this effective | | | | specifically require payment for ABA. |
| therapy. | | | | These states are: South Carolina, Texas, and Indiana. |
| Applied behavioral analysis is a well documented and | | | | Florida haspending legislation as of April 24, 2008. |
| effectiveteaching method for many children with | | | | It is critical that the person that designs the program is |
| autism. This method involves 1on 1 instructional sessions | | | | aprofessional in behavior analysis with a masters or |
| and utilizes educational tasks that havebeen developed | | | | doctorate degree. |
| for autism. | | | | This person should also have experience in working |
| This method was designed by O.I. Lovaas. His study in | | | | with children withautism. This person is also responsible |
| 1987, in | | | | for supervising the teacherassistants, training and |
| Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology showed | | | | meeting with them to go over your child'sprogress. |
| "90% of childrensubstantially improved when utilizing | | | | A wonderful book on ABA is "Behavior Intervention for |
| the Lovaas Model of ABA comparedto the control. | | | | Young Children |
| Close to half of the group attained a normal IQ | | | | With Autism" which is edited by Catherine Maurice and |
| andtested with in the normal range on adaptive and | | | | Co edited by |
| social skills." | | | | Gina Green and Stephen C. Luce. |
| Several follow up studies also showed major | | | | There are many organizations that have information |
| improvements in mostchildren with autism, that have | | | | on Autism and |
| received ABA. | | | | Applied Behavioral Analysis. Some of these |
| For ABA to be most effective the child needs to start | | | | organizations are: Defeat |
| as close to age | | | | Autism Now, Cure Autism Now, and Autism Speaks. |
| 3 as possible, or at least by age 5. The ABA program | | | | By understanding what ABA is, how it can be used to |
| needs to be 1 onone for 30-40 hours per week. The | | | | treat childrenwith autism, the positive outcome for |
| child should continue receiving theintense ABA | | | | most children receiving it, youwill be able to advocate |
| program, for at least 3-4 years. The cost is high, | | | | for your own child. It may be a fight withspecial |
| $30-50,000 per year. This is why many parents set up | | | | education personnel, but your child is worth it! |