In years past, we did not have access to the type of autism care and treatment that we have today. In addition to reliable therapies and interventions, we now have the benefit of technological advances that help Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) better engage, teach, and monitor the progress of the children with which they work.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most promising advances that can help individuals with autism gain further independence and ensure more positive outcomes. Because Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is considered the gold standard of autism treatment and intervention, we’ll begin by exploring what it is and how it works. Then, we’ll look at how technological advances help BCBAs who specialize in ABA therapy perform their jobs more efficiently.
What is ABA Therapy?
ABA therapy is a method of intervention primarily for people with autism. It is a type of behavioral therapy that uses positive reinforcement (and other evidence-based approaches) to help reinforce desired behaviors until an individual naturally chooses that behavior instead of less desirable ones.
ABA therapy is most successful when it is presented early in a child’s diagnosis of autism. Early intervention is key to building a successful foundation for a child’s entire life. Early intervention with ABA therapy can help children develop essential skills, give them independence, and help them learn to engage in social situations.
There are many methods used in ABA therapy, and new technological advancements are making it even easier for BCBAs to help children with autism connect, learn, and work on new skills.
New Technology
In the ever-evolving field of technology, new innovations in ABA therapy are making it possible for BCBAs to offer incredibly personalized interventions. These innovations also make it possible for data collection that is faster, more streamlined, and highly accurate.
One very promising advancement is the use of virtual reality headsets and games. In these environments, it is possible for children and individuals with autism to play out real-life scenarios and respond to them, without ever suffering any negative consequences.
This provides a safe and comfortable environment for individuals with autism to learn and shape their social skills without feeling pressure, stress, or anxiety.
Augmentative Communication
Assistive technology is useful for people with autism who have varied speech abilities.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a type of assistive technology that can help people with autism of all ages by enabling expression of thought, engaging in conversation, and promoting independence.
According to recent research, children who receive behavioral intervention paired with a speech-generating device learn to say more words more quickly than those who did not use the speech-generating device.
Apple is rightly lauded for its commitment to accessibility with recent software updates. The iPad’s intuitive interface allows people with autism to easily open apps with a single touch, organize apps into folders, and return to the home screen with a single button.
There are also many apps available for iOS that can help children with autism learn life skills and communication like First Then Visual Schedule, ABC App, and Proloquo2Go. Apple also integrated features to support cognitive accessibility such as reducing sensory stimulation like dimming the display for flashing lights or pausing animated images.
Collaboration With Other Therapists
It is not uncommon for a child with autism to have multiple therapists and providers in addition to their BCBA.
Some ABA therapy centers may offer in-house speech therapists, primary educators, and/or occupational therapists. Otherwise, these different therapists may need to collaborate with a child’s ABA therapy center to help ensure goals and skills are being developed across each discipline.
Being able to collaborate and develop a global plan of advancement and intervention for a child can help support positive outcomes and ensure that a child does not feel overwhelmed.
Culturally Responsive Therapy
The movement towards more inclusive education in school systems is now being adopted into ABA therapy. Engaging a child in therapy that is culturally tailored to them makes the ABA therapy experience more inclusive, and ultimately more familiar and engaging to the child.
Cultural inclusivity also makes it easier for BCBAs and parents to collaborate, ensuring that skills that are being worked on during therapy sessions are easy to translate to home use.
Transition Services
Because ABA therapy is primarily used for children (especially children who are preschool-aged) there may be a need for continued support throughout adolescence and adulthood.
ABA therapy can be beneficial for adolescents and adults, and providing opportunities for children in ABA therapy to transition to BCBAs who work with older children and adults can help ensure that skills that are still in progress can continue being honed and developed as they grow and develop.
Future Research
Neurodiversity describes the way different people’s brains interpret and process information. Future research into how neurodivergent brains work can help us understand how best to adjust therapy and resources to meet their needs, and can also help us identify their particular skills and strengths.
Continued focus on individuality and personalized approaches will allow more individuals with autism to flourish.
Brad Zelinger is the founder and CEO of Stride Autism Centers.
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