Behavior Management in Autistic Children is Part of ABA Therapy

In far too many schools today, autistic children are punished or even expelled for behaving differently from other children. Inappropriate behaviors such as hitting or even harming themselves are punished and scolded and children are labeled as being ill-behaved without ever receiving the proper training and treatment necessary.  This does more than create a social stigma around autistic children; it also deprives them of the quality of education that they deserve.  ABA therapy is a proven autism treatment that is used in many schools and can help teach children the behavior skills they need to thrive when in a classroom or real world environment.
ABA therapy utilizes a number of methods for teaching behavior management.  Discrete trial teaching, the most common part of ABA, uses prompts and repetition to teach these skills.  Intensive ABA therapy is proven successful in helping children with varying degrees of autism spectrum disorders to learn the social skills they need to interact appropriately with other people.
One of the biggest flaws in the current approach to inappropriate behavior in autistic children is that scolding or punishing grants attention.  Many autistic children do not differentiate between negative and positive attention, and the punishments serve to foster a sense that the behavior will grant a desired result.  With ABA therapy, inappropriate behaviors and reactions are disregarded, showing the child that there is no benefit or attention to be gained from such actions, while positive reactions and behaviors are reinforced through contact, praise, and rewards.  It can be a simple compliment or pat on the back or even a sticker or time with a cherished toy, but these reinforcements help a child with autism to understand what behaviors will grant a favorable and desired reaction.
In order to prevent autistic children from being denied the same chances as other students, school systems need to implement solid ABA therapy training.  This can help ensure that the child is always taught the same messages and behaviors.  There are many programs available that can be taught inside the school, with all the materials needed to properly implement the course.  ABA offers hope to school systems and students alike.  When you have a student with an autism spectrum disorder, it is your job as an educator to understand and anticipate their needs and to meet them fully.  With the right training and teaching, these students can learn to thrive just as well as any students in your school.

 

Author Description :

Garrett Butch is the father of a 6 year old with autism and is the founder of Maximum Potential. MP's courses in ABA Therapy and ABA Training were developed by 2 PhD BCBAs to empower parents and school systems and to provide effective and affordable training for school systems and parents.