Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a data driven, science based therapy that studies the behavior of others and how the environment affects their behavior, using the principles of reinforcement to teach and increase the likelihood of appropriate skills and behaviors, and decrease maladaptive behaviors. It has been proven to be the most effective therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder, improving communication, social skills, independent functional living skills, play skills, and coping skills. Brookside offers quality evidence based care using ABA for children 12 months to 21 years of age and their families, with a focus on improvements in communication, social interaction, independent play, and adaptive functioning.
ABA THERAPY
Signs and symptoms
General symptoms
Does not respond to their name by 12 months of age
Does not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) by 14 months
Does not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll) by 18 months
Avoids eye contact and wants to be alone
Has trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
Has delayed speech and language skills
Repeats words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
Gives unrelated answers to questions
Gets upset by small changes
Flap their hands, rock their body, or spins in circles
Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel
Communication
Delayed speech and language skills
Repeats words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
Reverses pronouns (e.g., says "you" instead of "I")
Gives unrelated answers to questions
Does not typically point or respond to pointing
Uses few or no gestures (e.g., does not wave goodbye)
Talks in a flat or sing song like voice
Decreased pretend play skills (e.g., does not pretend to "feed" a doll)
Decreased understanding of jokes/ sarcasm
Social skills
Decreased response to their name by 12 months of age
Avoids eye contact
Prefers to play alone
Does not typically share interests with others
Primarily interacts to achieve a desired goal
Has difficulty understanding personal space boundaries
Has difficulty being comforted by others during distress
Has difficulty understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
Interests and behaviors
Does not respond to their name by 12 months of age
Does not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) by 14 months
Does not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll) by 18 months
Avoids eye contact and wants to be alone
Has trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
Has delayed speech and language skills
Repeats words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
Gives unrelated answers to questions
Gets upset by small changes
Flap their hands, rock their body, or spins in circles
Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel