It is evidence-based, a treatment approach that would allow an autistic child to acquire some skills for life, enhance his ability to communicate more effectively, and even enhance social interaction. Such an approach has been widely accepted as one of the most efficient interventions that suit the needs of a child. It is basically the structured and personalized manner in which whatever need would be addressed. Positive reinforcement, breaking of tasks into steps, and encouragement of desirable behaviors while minimizing undesirable behaviors have been the priorities in ABA therapy.

This article discusses some of the advantages of ABA therapy on children with autism with regard to behavioral management, communication skills, social interactions, and independence.

1. Improves Communication Skills

Communication is the most major problem most of the children who have autism. There are some who cannot talk, while on the other hand, there are those who cannot hear anything said; and there are some who are not even able to say anything that is going on in them. ABA bridges such gaps in the usage of skills like VBT which lets one use words in constructing languages so that a person may let out what their desire is.

• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): It allows non-verbal children to communicate through pictures.
• Functional Communication Training (FCT): The student is trained to respond in an alternative and acceptable manner rather than the target problem behavior.

Dividing communication into several small steps and rewarding them for progress, ABA therapy enables a child to address himself and others.

2. Enhances Social Skills

Social interaction becomes really difficult for the child with autism, especially in cases where such a child cannot interact well with other individuals. ABA treatment can really help out such a child by teaching him some very basic social behaviors, such as

• Eye contact
• Turning during conversation
• Body language and expressions on his face
• Team games

Structured play, role-playing, and interaction with peers teach them to develop meaningful relationships and get along well in social situations. All these skills enhance the relationship among the family members, their teachers, as well as their peers.

3. Positive behavior and fewer challenging behaviors

The most common treatment of behavioral difficulties is called ABA therapy. Most children classified with the condition of autism present with behaviors associated with repetition, aggression, and sometimes self-injury. Of the three major applications of a therapist in ABA, these are:

• Positive reinforcement: The reinforcement of behavior that is desirable and would allow its repetition.
• Behavioral interventions: Follow-up on the functions of awkward behaviors to permit their reduction through intervention.
• Replacement behaviors: Educate the child on how to use proper replacement behaviors over awkward behaviors.

ABA therapy gives a child reward for positive behavior and teaches a child how to cope with emotions and behavior.

4. Encourages Independence and Daily Living Skills

Children suffering from autism need to be given independence as they grow and develop. ABA therapy promotes daily living skills that children learn including;

• Dressing up
• Tooth brushing
• Using the bathroom
• Eating with utensils
• From their daily routine

These social skills give confidence and independence to the child; he will easily settle at school and at home.

5. Fosters School Readiness and Academic Achievement

Preparations of a child to be in a school environment: It allows, within ABA, the development of basic academic and classroom-centred behaviors such as:

• Obey
• Complete task independently
• Following an assigned task by him
• Doing an activity in learning

Most of children on ABA are coming up with remarkable improvement in responding to class environment by being on set routines’ timetables in maintaining their routines as well as engaging in different activities that involve learning. This gives general academic performance; they can easily adopt school.

6. Personalized/Tailor-made Approach

All children who are diagnosed autistic have different strengths and weaknesses. The treatment offered by the ABA therapy is very customized since every child has a uniquely created plan meant to suit their specific need. After conducting the assessment, identifying areas of deficit, the therapist applies a very individualized strategy in helping such children grow.

The flexibility exhibited in ABA therapy makes it fit for varied applications:

• Home
• School programs
• Clinics sessions
• Community locations

This flexibility will ensure that children get all the support they require in areas in which they feel comfortable.

7. Prepares Parents and Carers

ABC therapy is a two-way street that benefits not only the child but also teaches parents and carers the skills and techniques required to care for his or her growth. Parenting training is done on:

• Positive reinforcement of behaviors at home
• Effective management of challenging behaviors
• Be socialized in effective communication
• Cultivate reading and working in solitude

Evidently equipped with these tendencies, ABA therapy ensures successful development and growth of a child in the scope of team contribution.

Conclusion

Baumgartner and Patel said that children with autism treated under ABA therapy will improve in terms of communication and their social skills at the same time boosting autonomy among the children, hence helping them curb such problem behaviors. Being an evidence-based practice coupled with suitable made-to-fit techniques, ABA therapy trains the child on surviving life daily.

Early intervention with consistency establishes a base for helping parents and caregivers develop the skills of their child, which is directly related to the quality of life that his or her child might enjoy. This can establish a strong base for significant long-term success and independence not only at home or school but in the community, as well.