Does ABA Work for Older Children?

Question: I have a 13-year-old son, and I am late-comer to the field of ABA. Almost everything I read is about preschoolers and recovery. Can ABA help my son? Answered by Bobby Newman, PhD, BCBA Answer: Yes! ABA can certainly help your son to learn new skills and to manage behavior that is interfering with…

Bowel Training

I am a parent of an adolescent with autism who is urine trained but continues to have bowel accidents. What treatment strategies can I use to begin bowel training with him? Answered by Frank Cicero, PhD, BCBA-D Director of Psychological Services Eden II Programs Lingering issues with bowel training are common in individuals with autism, even…

Preparation for Employment

How Can Adolescent Learners with Autism be Prepared for Employment? Answered by Erin Richard, MA, BCBA and Karissa Masuicca, MS Ed, BCBA Alpine Learning Group, Inc., Paramus, New Jersey Preparing adolescents with autism for future employment is important. It is essential to shift the focus of programming from academics to more functional life skills and…

Teaching Safety Skills to Adolescents

I am a Special Education Teacher at the high school level. A young man with autism is transitioning to my caseload from our middle school. Although there is much talk about “safety skills” amongst my colleagues, I would like to target this skill area effectively and comprehensively. Any suggestions? Answered by Shannon Wilkinson, MADS, BCaBA,…

Review of Life Journey Through Autism: A Guide for Transition to Adulthood

  Life journey through autism: A Guide for Transition to Adulthood. Arlington, VA: Organization for Autism Research, Inc. Written by Denise Grosberg, MA, Claremont Graduate University Significant life transitions are often greeted with both excitement and concern. For most caregivers of children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders(ASDs), periods of transition raise significant questions…

ABA for Older Learners

I have an adolescent with autism and want to know how his IEP goals should prepare him for adult life? Is ABA still useful? Answered by Jed Baker, PhD This is such an important question. As an adolescent begins to age out of the educational system, the choices that are made with respect to goal…

Parent-Assisted Social Skills Training to Improve Friendships in Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Laugeson, E. A., Frankel, F., Mogil, C., & Dillon, A. R. (2009). Parent-assisted social skills training to improve friendships in teens with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 39(4), 596-606. Reviewed by Jessica Rothschild Caldwell College Why study this topic? Research focusing on children of typical development has shown that it is…