This helps children with speaking, as well as communicating and interacting with others. It can involve non-verbal skills, like making eye contact, taking turns in a conversation, and using and understanding gestures. It might also teach kids to express themselves using picture symbols, sign language, or computers.

To be most effective, speech therapists need to work closely with parents and teachers to practice these skills in daily life.

This type of therapy uses rewards to reinforce positive behaviors and teach new skills. Parents and other caregivers are trained so they can give the autistic child moment-by-moment feedback.

Treatment goals are based on the individual. They might include communication, social skills, personal care, and school work. Studies show children who receive early, intensive ABA can make big, lasting gains.

There are different types of ABA. They include:

• Discrete Trial Training (DTT). This breaks a desired behavior into the simplest steps.
• Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI). This form of ABA is designed for young children, usually under age five.
• Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT). The focus here is on important areas of a child’s development, like self-management and taking charge in social situations.
• Verbal Behavior Intervention (VBI). Improving a child’s verbal skills is the goal.