Most parents of a child with autism spectrum disorder are familiar with the concept of Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA therapy. ABA serves to help children with an ASD realize their full potential by serving as an intensive form of therapy based in part on a series of repeated commands and a positive reinforcement system. While science soundly backs the therapy and it is currently the only scientifically proven and recommended therapy for helping children with an ASD achieve levels of functioning comparable to their non-autistic peers, many parents are still unsure just how the therapy works or why there is such a strong need for a positive reinforcement system.
With autistic children, differentiating between different stimuli is difficult and many children do not understand the concept that some stimuli, such as commands or requests from parents and teachers, should be given more importance than other stimuli, such as sights and sounds in the room around them. Reinforcement serves to help children understand that there is benefit to choosing some stimuli over others. Reinforcement does not have to be expensive or unhealthy, in addition to candy and toys, simple things such as a sticker, a walk, or even a gentle rub on the back may be enough reinforcement to foster appropriate responses.
It is also important to note that while positive reinforcement is offered for appropriate responses and answers, negative reinforcement is not doled out for inappropriate behavior or responses. On the contrary, negative behavior is ignored completely, teaching the child that no attention or reinforcement can arise from the behavior and fostering a sense that only good behavior will result in rewards. This helps to teach a child a code of values to which they will adhere for the rest of their lives. While the methodology of teaching children with autism is different than with most children, the values and lessons are much the same.
A reinforcement and reward system helps teach children not only simple responses and skills, but helps them to learn to pay attention and enables them to learn more complex lessons such as basic concepts and rules. This system is the foundation for much of ABA, and is largely responsible for fostering the learning potential that makes intensive ABA such as success. Applied Behavior Analysis can help children reach their full potential, many times allowing them to learn on par with others in their peer group, and early reinforcement is largely responsible for that success.
Garrett Butch is the father of a 6 year old with autism and is the founder of Maximum Potential. MP’s courses in ABA Therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis were developed by 2 PhD BCBAs to empower parents and school systems and to provide effective and affordable training for school systems and parents. Visit MaximumPotentialKids.com to learn more.
