ABA

ABA intervention for autism is a highly structured, scientific approach that teaches communication, play, self-care, academic and social living skills, and can reduce problematic behaviors. There are plenty of research studies showing that ABA improves outcomes for children with autism.

The good thing about ABA intervention is that it is both effective and safe. The not-so-good is that it can be both labor-intensive and costly. 

Common Types of ABA Therapy include: verbal Behavior therapy (VBT), District Trial teaching (DTT), Natural Environment Training (NET), Pivotal Response therapy (PRT), early Start Denver Model (ESDM), Functional Communication Training (FCT).

The Association For Science in Autism  Treatment: "Many studies show that ABA is effective in increasing behaviors and teaching new skills (National Autism Center [NAC], 2015; Wong et al., 2014, 2015). In addition, many studies demonstrate that ABA is effective in reducing problem behavior (NAC, 2015). A number of studies also indicate that, when implemented intensively (more than 20 hours per week) and early in life (beginning prior to the age of 4 years), ABA may produce large gains in development and reductions in the need for special services (Reichow, 2012) ... ABA is an effective intervention for many individuals with autism spectrum disorders. ABA interventions should be supervised by qualified behavior analysts.".

The United States Surgeon General (1999) concluded, “Thirty years of research demonstrated the efficacy of applied behavioral methods in reducing inappropriate behavior and in increasing communication, learning and appropriate social behavior.”