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Friday, June 28, 2013

What is Applied Behavior Analysis?

The discovery that your child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder can be wholly overwhelming, leaving you with many unanswered questions. Perspectives Corporation’s Autism Center of Excellence helps to answer those questions, providing the tools you need to make important decisions regarding your child or loved one by developing and implementing highly effective, family-centric Autism treatment programs utilizing an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodology.

So what is Applied Behavior Analysis?

Behavior analysis is a scientifically validated approach to understanding behavior and how it is affected by the environment. On a practical level, one application of behavior analysis is the principle of positive reinforcement; when a behavior is followed by reward, that behavior is more likely to be repeated. ABA uses such principles and techniques to bring about meaningful and positive change in behavior, and can foster basic skills such as looking, listening and imitating, as well as complex skills such as reading and conversing.

Since the 1960s, therapists have been using Applied Behavior Analysis to help children with autism and related developmental disorders live happy and productive lives. Today, ABA is widely recognized as a safe and effective treatment for autism, and has been endorsed by a number of state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association.

In 2011, Rhode Island became the 27th State in the Union, and the 6th State in New England, to enact an autism insurance reform law, allowing families to access insurance coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) including pharmacy, psychology and psychiatric care as eligible benefits.

For more information on Perspectives' home-based and center-based autism services, please visit www.perspectivescorporation.com/autism