Is ABA therapy actually helpful?

ABA therapy is actually helpful for many autistic children, especially with communication, daily living skills and behaviors that cause harm. Results vary.

ABA has decades of research behind it, and reviews of that research report gains in areas like language and adaptive skills, mostly in early, consistent programs. The evidence is stronger for some goals than others, and many studies are small or short. Children respond differently, so no provider can promise you a particular outcome.

Whether it helps your child comes down to fit. Look for goals that matter to your family, a qualified supervisor, regular data and a team that changes course when something isn’t working. Ask each provider how they’ll show you progress, and what happens if there isn’t any.