Dear Ms. Barton,
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) impacts individuals and their quality of life regardless of socioeconomic status. The Aquilinis are one of the wealthiest families in Canada; however, as you point out in your article their son, Christian, is impacted by autism. We enjoyed reading about Christian’s successes and challenges throughout his life. At the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT), we support treatments backed by scientific evidence of effectiveness, such as applied behaviour analysis (ABA), which can have a significant impact on an individual’s development, increasing the likelihood of a successful transition into adulthood. We were delighted to learn about the positive impact ABA made in Christian’s life, and to see a strong emphasis being placed on the importance of providing support to young adults with ASD. During this time, an individual is faced with many challenges including aiming for independence, finding employment, and completing an education.
We appreciate the attention the Aquilinis brought to the unfortunate fact that there may be a lack of services and supports being provided to families of children with autism, especially as they approach adulthood. This is a significant concern, and we agree that it needs to be addressed in order to better meet the needs of individuals and their families. The Lifespan section of ASAT’s website provides resources for navigating autism throughout the lifespan — in particular the transition to adulthood.
The potential for leading a successful adult life may be greatly increased when evidence-based treatment begins early, as in early intensive behavioural intervention (EIBI), which utilizes the principles of ABA. Research shows that children who receive EIBI may show moderate to large gains in intellectual functioning. The Aquilinis provided Christian with one of the best starts possible with 40 hours per week of ABA, and we are pleased to see that they credit this therapy for his progress. We would like to point out that this treatment focuses on a system of “reinforcement” rather than “punishment.” Individuals who receive intensive behavioural intervention often make strides in their development that may increase their capacity for future independence and success.
We wholeheartedly agree with Ms. Aquilini that those impacted by ASD can be productive in society, and applaud the fact that Christian has been able to find successful employment. When evidence-based strategies are used to teach vocational skills and social skills, and to support on-the-job coaching, many individuals can be taught to thrive in the work that they do. With increasing numbers of individuals with autism set to become adults, it is crucial that they are taught necessary skills and provided opportunities to practice these skills so that they can contribute to the workforce in areas that are meaningful to them. Applied behaviour analysis can be utilized not only in the early years, but also to teach skills necessary for maintaining successful employment, making the transition to adulthood, and beyond.
Thank you for reporting on the Aquilini family’s experiences, including the fact that early intervention using evidence-based treatments such as applied behaviour analysis can greatly increase quality of life for individuals with ASD throughout their lifespan. We would also add that we hope that some myths about ABA, including the myth that it is centered on punishment, can be dispelled in future reporting by emphasizing that ABA is a science-based treatment backed by an abundance of research, in which practitioners modify behaviors that are socially significant to the client primarily through the use of individualized, client-chosen reinforcement. We are excited about the Aquilini family’s commitment to helping individuals with ASD reach their full potential, and appreciate your awareness-promoting coverage of their related initiatives.
Sincerely,
Sunbul Rai, M.Sc., BCBA and Renee Wozniak, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
