COVERAGE = RECOVERY : Strategy for Change

Monday, January 28, 2013

Strategy for Change

Our campaign is taking shape. We're gearing up for a busy 2013, and we want you to participate.

We have three complementing strategies. First, we're going to focus on persuading Governor McDonnell to send the ABA treatment regulations back to the Board of Medicine for revision, this time making sure that it incorporates the advice of the ABA working group. We're also working to convince the Board of Medicine that their regulations, despite good intentions, fall short.

We're also reaching out to the media. We're spreading the word across Virginia, targeting news outlets that are influential in size or location.

And, we're excited to announce an outreach campaign. We're planning a summer series of open houses, picnics, and informational seminars across the Commonwealth. More details on that to come in March.

Join us--we're volunteers, and we'd love to work with you!

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What is A-B-A?

Behavior analysis focuses on the principles that explain how learning takes place. Positive reinforcement is one such principle. When a behavior is followed by some sort of reward, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. Through decades of research, the field of behavior analysis has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the use of these techniques and principles to bring about meaningful and positive change in behavior.

As mentioned, behavior analysts began working with young children with autism and related disorders in the 1960s. Early techniques often involved adults directing most of the instruction. Some allowed the child to take the lead. Since that time, a wide variety of ABA techniques have been developed for building useful skills in learners with autism – from toddlers through adulthood.

These techniques can be used in structured situations such as a classroom lesson as well as in "everyday" situations such as family dinnertime or the neighborhood playground. Some ABA therapy sessions involve one-on-one interaction between the behavior analyst and the participant. Group instruction can likewise prove useful.

Our Campaign

We're working to expand access to applied behavior analytical treatment to young kids with autism because it's safe and effective--we know from a growing body of research that it works. (This is for academic purposes only.)