Behavioral Treatment for Children with Autism

Abstract

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder representing a heterogeneous group of individuals with similar symptomatologies and multiple biologic etiologies. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined.  Government statistics suggest the prevalence rate of Autism is increasing, around 10-17 percent annually.   Autism costs the nation over $35 billion per year, a figure that is expected to increase significantly in the next decade.  In efforts to remedy this devastating epidemic, many treatments and interventions are being developed.  Among these interventions, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is probably the best-known and best-researched treatment available for autism spectrum disorders.  This article will very briefly describe the ABA behavioral treatment process for children with autism, and review several key studies on its effectiveness.  Due to the complexity of ABA principles, techniques, and their application, this article is not intended to be a detailed or definitive explanation on the subject.