What is ABA training? This is something developed around the science known as Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA. When someone seeks out ABA training, it is usually as a means of helping someone with Autism to develop more beneficial or effective social behaviors. Autism can often impact the individualís social, cognitive, academic, motor and self-help skills, and the training helps parents and teachers to recognize and change these behavioral issues.
Why is ABA training so commonly connected to Autism? Someone born with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) will have a diversity of possible symptoms and issues to deal with. While some people only display the mildest of symptoms, others have a much more severe Autism, and yet almost all of these people can benefit from working with a teacher or parent who has undergone ABA training.
This is because the strategies and principles developed from ABA will come from observation of the individual within their various learning or living environments, and then an analysis of the issues that may be preventing them from developing a desired behavior is done.
For example, a person with ABA training could observe an Autistic child in their classroom or within thier home. They might then be able to identify the reasons that the child is failing to develop communication skills. They will then use their training to create a precise teaching program for that child, and rely on a huge amount of positive reinforcement to ensure the best outcomes.
Positive reinforcement is a vital part of ABA strategies used for children with ASD. This is because an Autistic child is usually unable to learn by emulating or mimicking those around them. Because of this, the child needs to be taught how to learn to speak or to seek out communication, and this usually requires an alternate approach to copying or imitation. Interestingly enough, many parents and teachers are unaware of the fact that so much is learned through observation and emulation, and that is yet another benefit from ABA training.
Where is this training available? Because one out of every one thousand children will have some form of ASD, there are many resources for training using ABA tactics. When looking for a good program to follow, however, it will be necessary to ensure that there is an emphasis on understanding Autism; learning how to recognize classic behaviors; and then using the skills to change the ineffective ones. The best systems teach people to rely on precise teaching techniques and loads of positive reinforcement.
