#HowToJim: Living with Autism and How ABA Changed Our Lives
As many of you know, James was diagnosed with autism in 2017. This was a tough pill to swallow, but I am so glad that I advocated for his testing and treatment. It was a tough battle, but now I know we are winning.
In my personal social media posts, you may have read the term "applied behavior analysis" or ABA. As defined in the handout ABA 101, applied behavior analysis is a science dedicated to the understanding and improvement of human behavior. To learn more about ABA as a practice, click here.
Instead of going into technical terms, I want to share all the positive effects ABA has had on James and how his world is growing because of it.
James is making new friends. It's no secret that James is quite popular in school. He has had friends at Beekman for many years now. What has changed since he started ABA is his social interaction with others. It's amazing to see him greet friends (old and new) with a smile and a wave. His eye contact has improved and he is known for shaking hands from time to time.
James has increased focus on specific activities. Focus can be a challenge for any child at any age, but with children with autism, it can be a real uphill battle. Like, pushing a boulder up the steep side of Mt. Everest type of battle! However, in two short years, James' focus has vastly improved. He is using items for their intended purpose (i.e. using a remote control to actually control the TV and not to be tossed around), playing with toys with purpose, following verbal prompts like "Time to clean up." or "Time to sit down."
James follows directions more often. Yes, kids can be stubborn or even "hard-headed", but its a little different for kids with autism. Processing directions can be difficult. With ABA, James has been able to process and execute simple directions. Simple tasks, like sitting at the dinner table or putting away his toys, are no longer an issue. We still have a long way to go, but knowing that he is capable and willing to listen is a huge improvement.
This is but a small sample of how ABA has changed our lives for the better. We are so grateful for the team at Gateway Pediatric Therapy for all that they have done for my family and many others!
Thank you all for your support! Look for another blog post in the next week. If you would like to request a specific topic visit the Three Cents Please Facebook Page!
Make it a good weekend and enjoy the holiday!
Sasha 😊
