If your child is on the autism spectrum, you’ve probably been exposed to a lot of material on symptoms, therapy, best techniques, and so on. It might be especially challenging to filter through material that is contradictory or is not supported by scientific study or expert opinion.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a scientifically supported treatment strategy that promotes independence while also assisting your child’s learning and development in a variety of ways. Having said that, there are some myths regarding ABA that persist today.
In this post, we’ll discuss the most frequent myths and misunderstandings regarding ABA treatment, as well as set the record straight to hopefully alleviate any worries you have about ABA and its advantages.
Science does not support ABA treatment.
ABA therapy is widely regarded as the gold standard in autism treatment. ABA treatment has been studied and recommended as a successful approach of treating children with autism by key healthcare authorities, including the United States Surgeon General.
ABA therapy is only for children with autism.
Although ABA is not an autism-specific therapy, it is one of the most widely used therapies for those on the autistic spectrum. Since ABA treatment reflects how all human brains learn using positive and negative reinforcement, it assists children and adults with or without autism in adopting healthy behaviors. ABA is appropriate for people of all ages and is not limited to children. As a result, prolonged therapy is a reliable strategy to produce long-term favorable benefits.
ABA therapy is a one-size-fits-all approach.
ABA therapy is a treatment that must be individualized in order to be effective. Every child’s ABA therapy treatment plan is going to be different based on the child’s age, abilities, needs, and more.
Autism can be cured with ABA therapy
While ABA therapy does not cure autism, as there is no known cure, it does help manage many of the associated symptoms. It aims to help ASD children and adults cope with their challenges and learn to live more independently.
ABA only deals with behavioral difficulties.
ABA not only targets behavioral difficulties, but also emphasizes the need of addressing all sorts of challenges that a child may experience. Programs are created to improve cognitive skills, educate emotional recognition, and social skills, as well as many other skills required for everyday functioning.
These ABA therapy myths are detrimental and frequently come from a lack of understanding. These may discourage parents from getting treatment for their children.
Regardless of where your child falls on the spectrum, ABA therapy is a great resource. Research shows that ABA can improve social skills, communication abilities, adaptive behavior, and overall well-being and quality of life.
You can’t get rid of autism, but you can help your child enjoy a higher quality of life. We at Nurture Pods want your loved one to thrive, and we work closely with every client to make that happen. Reach out to us if you want to discuss your child’s needs or would like to find out how we can work together.
Written by: Alex Liau
Published on 9 June 2023
