ABA is the only clinically proven therapy for autism and is endorsed by organizations such as Autism Speaks, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Autism Society of America. Its overall goal is to enhance life skills, introduce alternatives to unwanted behaviors, focus and build on personal strengths, and develop better social and communication skills. To do this, A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) collaborates with families to create a customized treatment plan, addressing various developmental areas such as communication, social-emotional adjustment, adaptive behaviors, fine motor skills, and cognition.

Research shows that ABA leads to gains in communication, social and daily living skills, and many other areas. One study showed that after ABA therapy, 90% of children substantially improved and 47% of them were able to function as well as other students in traditional classroom settings. And this is just one study that’s been done on the topic. There are more than 550 studies published in scientific journals that show the success of ABA therapy and that number gets bigger every year.

There is no cure for autism, nor has it ever been our intention to find one. At Hometeam, we value neurodiversity and the individual personalities and characteristics of each child we serve. ABA is an evidence-based treatment for autism, but our services are not meant to mask autism. Rather, they are intended to help our kids build communication, social and foundational skills so they can lead more independent and fulfilling lives.

Although we help people of different ages and diagnoses, Hometeam specializes in children with autism. But, it’s not only them who benefit from ABA therapy; it’s beneficial for the entire family!

Tailored to each kid’s unique goals, we use ABA to target areas like communication, social skills, and daily living skills. Parents can expect to see a reduction in maladaptive behaviors and find that their kids engage in more meaningful interactions with their peers, are able to manage their emotions better, and learn skills to overcome day-to-day challenges.

ABA is not solely effective for individuals on the spectrum. It can help manage lifestyle challenges for children and adults with autism or other mental and physical health conditions. Other conditions it can treat include anxiety, anger issues, dementia and substance abuse. The principles and strategies used in ABA can be implemented for a range of individuals of varying ages and skill levels, as well as across many environments … even for some companies who put it into practice with their employees! That being said, insurance companies typically require a formal autism diagnosis in an individual under the age of 22 in order to cover the costs of ABA therapy.