Naturalistic programming for children with ASD and other disabilities is based on the premise that behavioral intervention and immersion in the natural environment are the keys to establishing learning behaviors in young children. The most current research reports that naturalistic intervention is the most beneficial approach when facilitating the development of social skills in children with ASD.

During behavior therapy, one strategy used is self-monitoring of behavior. Self-monitoring is taught using visual cues designed to help manage behavior and prepare the child for transitions. Consistent redirection is used for inappropriate behaviors and an established behavior management program is implemented and used consistently.

The child is taught appropriate ways to deal with frustration, and taught ways to make needs and wants known. Self-control / self-management are important to the program. A child has established self-control when a target behavior occurs in relative absence of external controls. In other words, when a child is able to consistently demonstrate appropriate behavior in a variety of settings without adult support or redirection, self-control has been established.

Naturalistic programming utilizes a variety of techniques to teach the child to monitor his/her own behavior. These may include removal from an activity until more appropriate behavior occurs, or targeting specific activities or objects that are reinforcing to the child and using them to help shape more appropriate behavior. The Learning Spectrum utilizes ABA techniques combined with strategies that promote engagement with the natural environment, generalization, and mastery of skills. The program is based on your child's unique needs. This program is not meant to be a complete educational program, but part of a program designed to enhance classroom performance, OT, speech, etc. The goal of The Learning Spectrum is to help your child reach his or her own full potential through a personal program designed to meet his or her own individualized needs.

Applied behavior analysis is a discipline devoted to the understanding and improvement of human behavior. ABA is the science in which procedures derived from the principles of behavior are systematically applied to improve socially significant behavior to a meaningful degree and to demonstrate experimentally that the procedures employed were responsible for the improvement of behavior (Cooper, Heron & Heward, 1987).

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