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