Autism Therapy: intensive ABA therapy

definition of intensive ABA therapy: not yet defined.

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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.


Effectiveness of Intensive Behavioral Intervention in a Large, Community-Based Program
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Perry, A., Cummings A., Geier JD, Freeman NL, Hughes S., LaRose L., Managhan T., Reitzel JA, and Williams J., published in 2008, summarized Dec 5, 2008

Early and intensive applied behavior analysis (ABA) in a community setting may result in a decrease in symptoms of autism.

This study was designed to see if early, intensive ABA therapy could help with the symptoms of autism. The study examined Ontario's Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI) program. The authors found that children left the IBI program with a 12 point IQ gain. The children showed only modest gains in being able to adapt. In total, though, the children showed significant gains in a less-than-ideal setting.


Intensive Behavioral Treatment for Children with Autism: Four-Year Outcome and Predictors
Am J Ment Retard., by Sallows, GO, and Graupner TD, published in 2005, summarized Oct 21, 2006

This article offers strong support for intensive home-based ABA therapy.

The authors found that intensive applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment is effective for children with autism regardless of whether it is managed by parents or clinics. One group of children was assigned to a parent-directed treatment group, in which ABA consultants offered workshop-style training in ABA to the parents and therapists recruited by the parents. Another group of children received ABA therapy in a clinic. Children received either an average of 30 hours of ABA therapy at home or 38 hours of ABA therapy at the clinic. There was no difference between the two groups after four years of intensive ABA therapy. By the age of seven about half of all the children were in regular school classrooms. The authors suggest that the home-based therapy was effective because it was intensive.


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New Autism Therapy Center in Kentucky

May 18, 2009

A new private school for children with autism will be opening in eastern Kentucky, and will offer intensive applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy services. The Highlands Center for Autism, affiliated with the Highlands Regional Medical Center, will be the first school in the state to offer intensive ABA therapy for children with autism. The goal of the school is to help transition children with autism into the regular classroom using interventions that include speech, education, and one-on-one training. Shelli Deskins, school director and psychologist, is thrilled to offer the services, and said that no child would be turned away based on behavioral problems.

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