A treatment with scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness
Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, is a large field within psychology
that focuses on the science of human behavior. It involves
systematically applying interventions based upon the theory of learning
to improve socially significant behaviors. ABA is an objective
discipline, focusing on the reliable measurement and evaluation of
observable behavior. ABA uses methods of analysis that yield convincing,
reproducible, and conceptually sensible demonstrations of how to
accomplish specific behavior changes.
Numerous experts have suggested that interventions using principles
of applied behavior analysis (ABA) are by far the most effective in
treating young children with autism spectrum disorders. For example,
the
clinical guidelines recommend that ABA be included as an essential
element of any intervention program for young children with autism.
concludes that the greatest number of well-documented studies
addressing the treatment of autism have used behavior-analytic
approaches. likewise stresses the effectiveness of ABA in the treatment of autism. strongly endorses ABA as the only treatment modality with scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness.