1) ABA is an acronym for Applied Behavior Analysis. ABA is the application of behavioral principles to solve problems of social significance. Behavior, goals, and treatments are defined objectively and specifically. This allows reliable data to be collected.

ABA treatments and strategies are individualized. Each individual's behavior is analyzed and modified according to their specific needs and abilities. There is no treatment or strategy that will work with every person; therefore, instructors tailor treatment approaches and teaching strategies so that they are effective for that individual.

ABA is effective. Over 40 years of research demonstrates that the techniques of applied behavior analysis are effective in creating and sustaining meaningful changes in the behavior of individuals. These techniques have been used to teach new classes of behavior (as in verbal and nonverbal communication, self-help skills, etc.), to reduce or eliminate classes of behavior (problem behavior such as self-injury, aggression, etc.), and to modify existing classes of behavior to better suit the individual's environment. One of the most powerful and meaningful conclusions to be drawn from applied research in behavior analysis is that these techniques are extremely effective across clinical diagnoses, level of functioning, race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

2) The TEACCH Program

• Adjusts to the child
• Teaches new skills in a one-to-one setting
• Uses a visually-based approach
• Organizes the task visually
• Uses strengths and interests
• Makes concepts visual and concrete
• Generates skills outside of the classroom
• Systematizes change
• Provides ample physical structure:
  1. To provide clear and meaningful boundaries
  2. To minimize distractions
  3. To add meaning and context to the area or environment
• Uses visual schedules to show the child which activities will occur and in what sequence
• Uses work systems to build independence, enables the student to generalize skills into other environments, and to answer four questions:
  1. How much work?
  2. What work?
  3. When is the work finished?
  4. What happens next?

3) The Verbal Behavior Approach

• a treatment approach for children with autism and other developmental disabilities based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Reliance on the literature of Applied Behavior Analysis to determine treatment and teaching methods
• Use of B.F. Skinner’s Classification of Language with initial emphasis Upon Teaching Expressive Language and Manding (Requesting)
• Reliance on the ABLLS assessment and curriculum to determine sequence of teaching skills
• Use of stimulus control transfer procedures to teach across the classes of verbal behavior leading to the development of an increasingly complex verbal repertoire, e.g. conversation

4) Touch Math

• a multisensory teaching approach that bridges manipulation and memorization
• uses all senses while learning numbers on paper by seeing, saying, touching, and hearing numbers as they get the right answers

5) Social Stories

• based on information by Carol Gray
• designed to teach social understanding over rote compliance
• the stories describe rather than direct. For instance, the story may describe a situation, skill, or concept in terms of relevant social cues, perspectives, and common responses

6) Handwriting Without Tears

• the work is very repetitious
• the individual is allowed to prepare for the work ahead of time
• the material is hands-on and visual in nature
• multisensory techniques accompany the program

7) Kaufman Method for Teaching Speech Praxis

• a program used for individuals with limited or no speech output
• has been proven effective to teach children an easy way of saying words until they have increased their motor-speech coordination
• facilitates consonant production, sound and word combinations

8) Laureate Learning Systems

• Computer program which helps children with autism to learn:
  • Cause and Effect
  • Turn Taking
  • Early Vocabulary
  • Syntax
  • Cognitive Concepts
  • Auditory Processing
  • Reading