Developing social skills and improving communication abilities are important goals of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. ABA therapy is highly effective in teaching social and communication skills to children with autism by using a variety of interventions.

Here are some ways that ABA therapy may help your child develop social skills and improve their communication abilities:

​

Joint attention: ABA therapy teaches joint attention, which is the ability to share attention with another person. This skill is the foundation for social interaction and communication.

Verbal behavior: ABA therapy targets verbal behavior by teaching language and communication skills, such as vocabulary, sentence structure, and social scripts.

Nonverbal communication: ABA therapy targets nonverbal communication, such as body language and facial expressions, to help children understand and interpret social cues.

Play skills: ABA therapy teaches play skills, such as turn-taking and imaginative play, to improve social interaction.

Social skills groups: ABA therapy may involve participation in social skills groups, where children can practice social interaction with peers in a structured environment.

Parent involvement: ABA therapy involves parents in the therapy process to teach them strategies for promoting social interaction and communication at home.

Peer modeling: ABA therapy may involve peer modeling, where the child observes and imitates the social and communication behaviors of typically developing peers.

​

By teaching social and communication skills through a variety of interventions, ABA therapy can be highly effective in improving the overall quality of life for children with autism and their families. ABA therapy can help children with autism develop the skills they need to form relationships, communicate effectively, and engage in social activities.