Behavior analysts help children with autism

The beginning of a new school year can be an exciting time for students. Typically developing students may be nervous on the first day of school, but after riding the bus in a new outfit and finding out their new teacher’s name, anxiety usually turns into excitement.

Students with autism and other developmental disabilities can also have successful back-to-school experiences, but for them a pleasant transition usually requires extensive planning on the part of an educational team and family members.

One of the most important factors for a successful transition is appropriate training for school staff who will work with the student. The child’s educational team should include a board-certified behavior analyst, a professional trained in the principles of applied behavior analysis. (ABA is a methodology that includes teaching in small steps, using positive rewards, prompting, and repetition.) This individual can supervise the child’s educational programming and any behavioral interventions that may be needed.

Read more here: Behavior analysts help children with autism – MassLive.com.