Autism Spectrum Disorder ( Asd ) - 2111 Words

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental and neurological condition that affects individuals in the areas of social communication and social interaction, and it is also characterized by the presence of repetitive behaviors and language difficulties. Other characteristics include delays in reasoning and self help skills (Smith, 2011) p. 1037). Individuals with ASD vary widely in level of intelligence and may also exhibit other co-existing conditions such as intellectual disability, depression, and phobias (Nozomi, 2009). The disorder begins in early childhood, but is usually not diagnosed prior to the age of two to five years old or when a child enters school. In 2013, the Center for Disease Control reported that there was a major†¦show more content†¦The purpose of this research assignment is to give an explanation of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), provide information about the two major categories of behavioral intervention approaches that utilize ABA, structured and naturalistic, and discuss available research regarding them. Also addressed is information about specific (ABA) treatments or models that have been used. Many of them do provide positive benefits and have been considered to be highly successful by many professionals, parents, and support groups. Lovaas’s contribution to the field is also included because he was a pioneer of ABA intervention for children with ASD, although he was not the only individual in the field of psychology that contributed to the study of the disorder (Matson Neal, 2009). According to Smith â€Å"Applied behavior analysis is a discipline of research and practice within the helping professions. ABA interventions are implemented in many settings, with many different clinical and nonclinical populations.† (Smith, 2011, p. 1037). It is believed that ABA has become a very important intervention strategy because it is science based and involves data collection with the use of direct observation. It also includes the use of operant conditioning, a term devised by B.F. Skinner to describe a method of changing behavior through the use