A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a child can be overwhelming, stressful, and confusing for families. Many families are left wondering where they can find more answers and worried about what their next steps should be. Early intervention through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a great place to start. If given a chance, early intervention through ABA therapy has the potential to:
Enhance Overall Development
A child diagnosed with ASD often encounters delays in hitting their communication, social, emotional, physical, and cognitive milestones. But is simply calling these occurrences “developmental delays” a distortion of what is actually occurring? In the article “Autism and Developmental Delays: Are missed milestones the traits of a spectrum disorder?” on verywellhealth.com, Lisa Jo Rudy (2023) states, “Most autistic children reach some of their developmental milestones on time or early—sometimes extraordinarily so. Others may be late, lose ground over time, or not develop at all.”
Whether your child is experiencing a delay or excelling through their milestones, ABA therapy is a head start for them in reaching their goals. Early intervention treatment plans align nicely with your child’s milestones, oftentimes using these developmental points as goals for your child to work towards.
Enhance Communication Skills
Many children diagnosed with ASD have difficulty in appropriately communicating their wants and needs to others. With early intervention through ABA therapy, we work with your child to help them find new and effective ways of communicating their needs. We also provide an environment that encourages structured peer interaction, where your child can learn to understand others better.
Enhance Social Skills
Social interaction is often a deficit skill for children diagnosed with ASD. This lack of interaction with others can often negatively affect their ability to make new friends, leaving these children isolated. Within an organized and nurturing environment, we provide children with various opportunities to interact with their peers. This continuous social interaction leads to increased social skills and confidence.
Enhance Independent Life Skills
The ability to perform the basic skills needed to live a more independent life is essential for children diagnosed with ASD and their families. ABA therapy meets this obstacle head-on by offering the Essentials for Living (EFL) curriculum. This program educates children on the life skills necessary for independent living.
Provide Options for Learning Appropriate Behaviors
Navigating through the difficult behaviors that autism presents can be challenging. It can be overwhelming for everyone involved. This is another reason early intervention through ABA therapy is a viable choice for your child. We address these difficult behaviors directly, offering your child the option of learning an alternative—more appropriate—behavior that meets their needs. This helps to strengthen their interaction with others.
Enhance Self-Regulation and Coping Skills
Children diagnosed with ASD can also often have difficulties in how they experience their emotions and being able to communicate how they are feeling to others. As we meet the difficult behaviors that present with autism head-on, we effectively instruct your child in new and better ways to deal with their emotions through self-regulation and coping skills.
Establish a Foundation for Academic Success
The struggle in the classroom for a child diagnosed with ASD can be difficult to overcome. With early intervention through ABA therapy, your child gains the skills needed to succeed academically. We work one-on-one with your child to assist them in building communication and social skills that will help them navigate through school life more smoothly.
Enhance Family Dynamics
The challenges that autism presents can take a toll on your family. We are here to help support your family through the most difficult times. With early intervention through ABA therapy, we stand with you, equipping you with the tools and resources you need to better understand your child. Once properly supplied with the knowledge and materials needed, you are then more capable of supporting your child. The skills your child will gain through ABA therapy can relieve some of the stress in the household and can improve relationships between not only you and your child but your child and their siblings as well.
Enhances Quality of Life
The skills and behaviors your child gains through ABA therapy are with them for life. After completing ABA therapy, your child is armed with the ability to communicate and socialize with others. They have learned basic life skills and how to cope with difficult situations. Through the benefits of ABA therapy, your child will enjoy a better quality of life.
Check out this article on the Autism Speaks website for more information on the benefits of early intervention: CLICK HERE.
