The team at Autism Early Intervention Clinics uses the basic principles and strategies of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other strategies associated with problems specific to the fields of speech-language pathology and occupational therapy.

For language delays, ABA therapy involves:

• language training based on B.F. Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior to teach all the different functions (meanings) of words in a consistent manner, and

• an emphasis on teaching the child to ask for things that he wants using vocals, American Sign Language (ASL) or a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

For deficits in academic, self-help and social skills, ABA therapy involves:

• breaking skills into smaller parts,

• teaching one sub-skill at the time,

• repeated practice until mastery,

• use of prompting and prompt fading techniques as necessary (errorless learning), and

• frequent use of positive reinforcement (rewards).

For the reduction of problem behaviors, ABA therapy involves:

• an analysis of the situation in which the problem behavior occurs,

• an analysis of the consequences that maintain the behavior, and

• implementation of a program to reduce the frequency of the problem behavior and to teach appropriate replacement behaviors.

For ABA therapy to succeed, all members of the child’s circle of support (parents, teachers and therapists) will have to be trained in the proper and consistent implementation of the different intervention programs.

Autism Early Intervention Clinics is now accepting children and adolescents for treatment. Call (727) 576-7600 today for more information or to schedule your appointment.