Exploring Applied Behavior Analysis Lake Charles LA

By Joseph Sanders


When working with children, play therapy is only one of a number of therapies available. For example, there are a number of therapists working in the area of Applied Behavior Analysis Lake Charles LA whom focus on children. In addition, there are a number of clinics such as Milestones and Sprouts which offer a combination of these therapies to children in the area.

ABA is a scientific application used to understand different types of behavioral patterns. Whereas, it is also a therapy used to change or improve specific negative behaviors. In the simplest terms, ABA is a process used to change an environment in order to change a behavior.

More specifically, ABA is defined as being the science of behavior which has a history extending back to the beginning of the 20th century. The practice is based on the theory of behaviorism which promotes the ideology that as long as behavior is the primary focus, the situation can improve. As such, scientists and behaviorists familiar with ABA are still studying the practice as a method of identifying and comprehending the laws of different behaviors.

A number of studies have proved that behavioral issues are a product of environment and circumstance. While most often psychologist administer this type of treatment, there are some therapists working in the area. In either case, the treatment has proven effective in controlling negative behavior while calming emotional responses such as anger, sadness and fear.

ABA has been acknowledged as a valid form of therapy for quite some time. During this time, the practice has been used for everything from rehabilitation, safety intervention, brain injuries, dementia and substance abuse to training parents on how to deal with difficult children. While this is the case, the first practical applications of ABA were used to treat children with intellectual disabilities and autism, a practice which has now gained recognition in the broader field of psychology.

In some cases, the therapy has been used in teaching children how to break down difficult tasks into small easy to complete steps while focusing on the individual motivations and interest of the child. In doing so most therapists create an environment of reinforcement in which learning is fun rather than being scary or discouraging. After which, most children begin to improve when it comes to school and home work, thus getting better grades on report cards.

In fact, ABA therapies are the only treatment for children displaying signs of autism spectrum disorder backed by over forty years of research with supporting evidence of substantial long-lasting improvement. Most often, treatment plans are designed using research assessments and scientific evidence. After which, the therapist often introduces goals and targets which are then developed and tracked on an ongoing basis.

Ultimately, a number of research studies have shown that children with autism whom have participated in these programs have shown improvement in social skills, adaptive behavioral patterns and cognitive abilities. Research has also shown that children receiving intensive therapy in this area of 35 or more hours per week, over a period of two years, improved significantly when it came to social acceptance, engagement and interactions.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment