Louisiana Association for Behavior Analysis

"Autism" is a diagnostic term included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision Edition (DSM-IV-TR) used to describe individuals with impaired social interactions and communication,  and who possess repetitive, stereotypical behaviors, interests or activities.   

Applied Behavior Analysis has been endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General, the National Institute of Health, the New York State Department of Mental Health, and many other states, including Louisiana, as an effective evidence-based treatment for Autism and many other pervasive developmental disorders.

A qualified professional, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) should be contacted when seeking ABA Services.  Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA's) working in the field of autism intervention conduct skills assessments, functional assessments and functional analysis to tailor an intervention plan to meet the needs of an individual client. Skills assessments assist in pinpointing areas in which a client may have skill deficits so that instructional strategies can be developed to teach those skills. Functional assessments and analysis assist in determining why problematic behaviors are occuring so that behavior reduction strategies can be implemented specific to the problem behavior.  To find a Board Certified Behavior Analyst click this link and then click "certificant registry". For guidelines in selecting a BCBA to direct an intervention for persons with Autism see http://www.bacb.com/consum_frame.html

Beware of frauds, there is currently no "cure" for autism and refrain from using thearapies that offer no research evidence.  The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) provides a review of the available research evidence for autism treatments. Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT)