Effect of Applied Behavioral Intervention on Social Communication Skills among Children with Autism

Abstract

Early and personalized applied behavioral analysis (ABA) leads to greater progress in social and communicative development. The earlier the intervention, the more significant the improvements in a child's ability to navigate their social environment.  The main aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of ABA on social communication skills in autistic children, as well as the roles of gender, age, and family. The study also focuses on the implementation of ABA, the need for trained professionals, the high costs of therapy, and the significance of a collaborative approach among various specialists. The population of the present study consists of 7 to 12-year-old children with Autism enrolled at an Autism center. To obtain a baseline score, a social check list consisting of conversational, non-conversational, and compliments skills is conducted. Clinicians filled the social communications skills checklist. After obtaining the baseline score and implementing the intervention, the check list was filled out again, and the paired samples t-test was used to compare the mean score of the pre- and post-check lists. Children with Autism were introduced to ABA utilizing the reinforcement and discrete trail learning strategies. The mean comparison of this study highlights the significant mean difference upon conversational skills (p<.001). It is found that the children's conversational abilities improved by post-intervention (M=15.13) as compared to pre-intervention (M=10.00) and non- conversational skills are significantly enhanced by post-intervention (M=9.63) as compared to pre-intervention (M=5.93). Moreover, a significant improvement is seen in compliment skills after intervention (M=9.06) in comparison with pre-intervention (M=5.06). In addition, the study found no significant gender, age, or family system differences. Overall, the approach used in this research combined with consistent data capture and analysis ensures that the therapy is responsive and effective.