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Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an ever-expanding field of study of behavior and how environments impact behavior. ABA therapy can be a life-changing method of treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), because this method focuses on the importance of the function of behavior as a part of creating positive behaviors. The goal of ABA therapy is providing children …

Whether or not you understand the concept of a ‘theory of mind,’ it is one of the most important components of communication and social interactions. Having a ‘theory of mind’ means being able to understand that you have unique beliefs and thoughts and that other people also possess a set of beliefs and thoughts that differ from your own. This …

There are many different assessment tools used in applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, which might feel overwhelming at times. One of the reasons that there are so many diagnostic tools is to ensure that each child on the autism spectrum is properly diagnosed and treated. Since every child is unique and has individual needs, it isn’t realistic to use one diagnostic …

It’s raining cats and dogs. It will cost you an arm and a leg. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. There’s no use crying over spilled milk.   Many of us learned these idioms growing up and recognize that they are not intended to be taken literally. Children with autism spectrum disorder on the other hand, may …

It can be difficult to navigate the world of autism spectrum disorder, as there is so much information to learn, and the resources seem to be ever-expanding. Recently, social communication disorder (SCD) was added to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic & Statistics Manual-5) and individuals who experience this disorder may exhibit many features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Due to the many …

We all know that there are countless benefits to daily exercise routines. When you think of treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy might be the first method that comes to mind, but there are also other methods that can be used to supplement ABA therapy, including exercise. Keep in mind exercise doesn’t replace …

For years, people have studied the benefits of yoga for both children and adults. It seems that there are countless ways that yoga improves both emotional, mental, and physical health, so it is no surprise that yoga has become increasingly popular. As we’ve continued to learn about the benefits of this practice, we’ve also found that yoga can be beneficial …

At some point in our lives, we have all witnessed a child having an emotional breakdown. Whether it is your child, a child you babysit, a family member’s child, or a child you work with, they all have temper tantrums and become frustrated. Most typically developing children are able to express what it is that is causing them to become upset. However, …

Every child on the autism spectrum has a unique way of learning and processing information. This is one of the most interesting (as well as challenging) aspects of developing an applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy treatment plan. In order to fit the abilities and needs of all children, many different methods of ABA therapy have been developed in recent years. One …

There are many ways to assess the ability level of children with a diagnosis of autism, so how do you know which one is the right one for your child? While the professional providing treatment for your child will likely guide you through the process, it can also be helpful to know a bit about each assessment. One assessment that …