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29 December 2012

When Treated With Applied Behavior Analysis California Patients Build Healthy Actions

By Doris Madden


When participating in applied behavior analysis California parents can play an active role in their children's learning and development. Young children listen far more attentively to their parents than they do to strangers. The combined effort of the therapist and parents is far more efficient than the results a therapist can produce alone.

The more actively parents participate in their children's therapy, the more results the therapist can achieve. Parents are at a unique advantage over the psychologist because they can constantly observe their child's positive and negative behaviors. The information about this behavior is crucial to sessions because therapists tailor treatment specifically towards the specific patient involved. Professionals who are more aware of their patient's development can more adequately adapt treatment to the circumstances.

ABA is a learning technique that has been validated by science. It is an approach based on the way behavior evolves according to environment. The influences of physical or social interactions are able to change behavior both positively and negatively. Therapy focuses on offering incentives for positive actions and punishers for negative ones.

One of the principles involved in ABA is the influence of reinforcement on learning. Behaviors that are rewarded are more likely to be repeated, whilst negative behaviors that are punished are less likely to be repeated. Some analysts use a directed approach in which the therapist takes the active role. Other therapists allow the child to guide the sessions.

ABA techniques are traditionally used for children with autism and other learning disorders, but they are also effective for teenagers and adults. Originally, techniques were guided by parents, but today, it's more common for therapists to work together with parents and to guide one on one sessions with the patient.

Parents can play an active role in treatment by turning ordinary daily events into learning opportunities. Parents can reinforce positive behaviors during family dinner and play times. It's also possible to have group sessions.

ABA is well endorsed and widely accepted as effective and safe. It can teach simple skills including listening and communicating, and more comprehensive skills such as recognizing the perspectives of others. Children who are treated with ABA tend to have better communication skills, more rewarding relationships and improved academic abilities.

There are many kinds of ABA methods, and research shows that using a wide combination of many techniques is particularly effective. The technique can be used to treat children younger than four. Programs developed for this age group are known as early intervention sessions.

Intensive programs are more effective, so children who receive between 25 and 40 hours of weekly therapy show better outcomes. Generally, it is recommended that intensive therapy is conducted for a minimum of one year.

Sessions can be conducted in a structured way, in which every day situations are replicated. Unstructured situations are equally efficient, and parents can play an important role in such learning. Patients are placed in circumstances that are typical for their age group, and intervention from the therapist is used to produce consequences that mold behavior. ABA is effective for most autism patients but some children are resistant to treatment. When participating in applied behavior analysis parents will reduce family stress.




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