Autism Therapy: comprehensive application of behavior analysis to schooling (CABAS)

definition of comprehensive application of behavior analysis to schooling (CABAS): The CABAS® systems approach is a learner-driven and system-wide application of evidence-based behavioral therapy to all of the people involved in educating children with autism (students, parents, teachers, supervisors, and administrators). CABAS® covers all parts of the curriculum and works to include children with autism in the general education program.

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Six Reports of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder following Intensive Behavioral Intervention Using the Preschool Inventory of Repertoires for Kindergarten (PIRK®)
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, by McGarrell, M., Healy O., Leader G., O'Connor J., and Kenny N., published in 2009, summarized Jul 28, 2009

Six children with autism successfully transitioned into mainstream school after intensive applied behavior analysis (ABA).

The children in this study received intensive ABA therapy beginning at 3-6 years of age. They attended a school that was using the Comprehensive Application of Behavior Analysis to Schooling (CABAS®) system. They were evaluated using Preschol Inventory of Repertoires for Kindergarten (PIRK®) to determine what skills they needed to learn. A wide range of skills were tested. They received therapy for up to 3 years. All six children improved. They rose from 0-30% achievement for several skills to 60-100% achievement. The authors believe that PIRK® can be a useful tool for finding out which skills need to be targeted for intensive ABA therapy.


Three Years of Intensive Applied Behavior Analysis: A Case Study
Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention, by Healy, O., OConnor J., Leader G., and Kenny N., published in 2008, summarized Jul 3, 2009

The Comprehensive Application of Behavior Analysis to Schooling (CABAS®) applied behavioral analysis (ABA) system may be helpful for children with autism.

The CABAS early intervention program is a school-wide system for using ABA methods. It applies ABA methods to help the whole child. This case study describes one girl who started intensive ABA therapy in a CABAS system at the age of 2 years 10 months of age. Her communication and socialization skills were at the level of a 1 year-old. The intensive therapy methods were evidence-based, using recent methods that were reported to be potentially helpful. Researchers tested her progress over a 3-year period. When she started, she had a low IQ and had trouble learning. After 3 years of intensive ABA therapy in a CABAS® system, her cognitive and communication skills were average for her age group. She was still behind for her age in social skills. She was able to move into a mainstream classroom.


Brief Report: Relative Effectiveness of Different Home-Based Behavioral Approaches to Early Teaching Intervention
J Autism Dev Disord, by Reed, P., Osborne LA, and Corness M., published in 2007, summarized Feb 25, 2008

Home based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy may work just as well as clinic-based ABA therapy.

The purpose of this study was to look to see whether home-based ABA-like therapies worked as well as clinic-based ABA therapy. The study looked at children aged 2.6-4 years who had severe autism. Children who received 30 hours per week of ABA therapy improved more than children who received 12 hours per week of ABA therapy. In some cases, though, the difference between the 30 hours per week programs and the 12 hours per week programs was not large. CABAS therapy (complete application of behavior analysis to schools) worked best of all.


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    • Synonyms for comprehensive application of behavior analysis to schooling (CABAS) include: CABAS, CABAS®, Comprehensive Application of Behavior Analysis to Schooling
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