subject: School Based Aba Therapy Teaches Positive Behaviors [print this page] In many school systems, children with autism spectrum disorder are forced to remain in special needs classrooms until they have reached the age of 18 or until they are no longer enrolled in the school system. In many cases, this is not because the children are not intelligent, but instead because they exhibit behavior patterns that are disruptive to other children and to the learning process. For school systems, and excellent alternative to this arrangement is to implement a quality ABA therapy treatment.
ABA therapy is well known as one of the most successful and world renowned treatments for children with autism spectrum disorder. It uses positive reinforcement, prompting, and other specific techniques to help children learn new ideas and concepts, as well as behaviors. Studies show that children introduced to ABA at a very early age are often able to learn the proper behavior patterns and social skills needed to allow them to integrate fully into a classroom of their peers. ABA also makes it easier for these children to learn academically in a standard classroom setting by literally helping their brains make the connections needed to put together broad concepts and ideas.
What few people seem to understand about children with autism is that their brains work differently. These children are not by any means stupid, and they absolutely do not choose to act in such negative or disruptive ways. ABA therapy teaches them better methods of communicating and helps them to understand what behavior patterns will be recognized and rewarded with attention. The end result is a child who is capable of functioning within a social or academic setting and who is no longer forced to sacrifice the quality of their education due to behavior patterns and issues.
The reason that many school systems simply send autistic children to these special classrooms is that they simply don't have the tools needed to properly treat them. Paying for specialized ABA training for an entire school system can cost a fortune, and the price is something that most districts cannot afford. The good news for these systems, however, is that it is possible to purchase DVD courses that teach ABA and that include all of the materials needed to integrate it into the classroom. With everything that educators need, including access to trained professionals who can provide support, these courses can literally help educators change the lives of many autistic children forever.
