Preferred treatment options for children and individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) vary among doctors and caregivers as clinicians look to determine the safest and most effective way to offer children with autism support and assistance. The unique presentation of ASD in each individual means it’s imperative to adopt a tailored treatment approach that addresses the individual’s characteristics and needs. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy is the most popular and reliable form of treatment for individuals with ASD because it is revered in its effectiveness and capacity to customize interventions to the needs of each individual receiving treatment.
What is ABA therapy?
ABA therapy is a scientific approach used to understand and implement social and environmental changes in children and individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities to produce meaningful improvements to various behaviors. For the past 50 years, ABA therapy has been determined by doctors, board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) and the American Medical Association (AMA) as the most effective treatment to minimize the challenges associated with ASD and improve the quality of life for those with ASD and other developmental disabilities.
Accelerating Claim Processing: Strategies to Shorten the Life of a Claim
These strategies and practices can significantly shorten the life cycle of claims, leading to quicker resolutions and improved financial outcomes.
Why is ABA therapy the best plan for treatment?
Children and adults with developmental disabilities such as ASD, are unique to one another. No one person is the same. ABA therapy focuses on individualized care that is personalized to each person receiving the therapy, meaning there is no “one size fits all” approach to treatment plans. This allows BCBAs and caregivers to tailor plans, benchmarks and goals specifically to the individual receiving the treatment. BCBAs typically do not provide continuous, hour-by-hour interaction with their clients. As a result, ABA therapy empowers BCBAs to partner with families and caregivers to pinpoint the most effective strategies to be used across all environments. This collaborative approach aims to enhance the lives of both the individuals undergoing treatment and their families.
After assessing their client’s behavior and environment to determine which changes would best benefit the client and their family, BCBAs craft personalized treatment plans with the goal of transitioning their client out of their program and care. ABA therapy offers individuals with ASD the opportunity to learn and practice the necessary skills needed to thrive in an independent life. Those skills include:
- Receptive and expressive communication
- Foundational skills for learning in a natural environment, such as school
- Social interaction
- Coping skills for those who struggle with self-regulation
What Healthcare Can Learn from Costco
The path forward is clear: employers must evaluate their health plan the same way they do their Saturday shopping excursion.
Numerous studies have been published that underscore the benefits of ABA therapy in enhancing social communication and behavioral skills crucial for navigating daily interactions and safety protocols.
ABA therapy offers children the opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment that prioritizes personalized treatment and transparent care. Compassionate clinicians play a major role in improving the quality of life for those with ASD and other developmental disabilities and should be considered as a safe and effective treatment plan for parents and guardians considering therapy programs for their child with autism.
Photo: Flickr user Kathleen Leavitt Cragun
Tiffanie Moore MA, NCSP, BCBA, Chief Clinical Officer of BlueSprig is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst.. Tiffanie has more than 14 years of behavior analytic experience and has provided ABA across various settings, including community, home, clinic, residential, private, and public school. She is especially interested in assessment, equivalence-based instruction, and teaching fluency.
As Chief Clinical Officer at BlueSprig, Tiffanie Moore is responsible for the quality of clinical services, including developing, promoting, facilitating, and evaluating clinical standards and operating procedures. Currently, Tiffanie is also a Member at Large for the Oklahoma Association of Behavior Analysis, where she previously served as President. Tiffanie lives in Ardmore, Oklahoma, where she enjoys advocacy, reading, travel, and spending time with her family and pets
This post appears through the MedCity Influencers program. Anyone can publish their perspective on business and innovation in healthcare on MedCity News through MedCity Influencers. Click here to find out how.