ABA Therapy & Autism Spectrum Disorder
By: Gretchen Bolander
Updated: December 21, 2012
JOPLIN, MO-- A recent report from the CDC shows that from 2006 to 2008, there was a 20 % increase in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders among young patients. A look at the use of applied behavioral analysis for those with autism.
"Autism is a developmental disorder that affects someone's communication, social skills and behavior. The current thought on autism rates in our country is that one in every 88 children in the US is affected by autism spectrum disorder." Jennifer Kirby is the clinical director for the Bill and Virginia Leffen Center for Autism. She says the autism diagnosis can mean a wide range of challenges - and that Applied Behavioral Analysis, or ABA, is proven to help. "Applied Behavioral Analysis can be used to study the behavior of any living person. It works really well with individuals with autism spectrum disorder."
ABA therapy is tailored to the individual, based specifically on their challenges and skills. An overall goal is broken down into smaller, more manageable steps. "Individuals who have autism don't necessarily learn in the same way s that other children, teens or adults learn so taking a fresh view in how it is they learn is that ABA is so useful for them."
You can find out more about local ABA therapy by calling the Bill and Virginia Leffen Center for Autism at (417) 347-7850.
