Applied Behavior Consulting for Autism, LLC.

No. ABA has been proven effective for all ages.  However, the earlier your child begins therapy the more significant the results can be.  The intensity and consistency of therapy is key to your child's progress.  

It is important to remember that every child is an individual and will acquire skills at their own pace.  ABA helps provide a structure that facilitates skill acquisition by breaking down complex skills into smaller steps.  Every success, small or large, should be celebrated!

Discreet Trial Training (DTT) is only one technique of ABA.  It consists of a series of repetitive learning "trials" in a one-on-one setting.   It is highly structured and used to teach more specific skills.  Motivation is obtained by rewarding certain responses with praise, break time, toys, snacks, and other preferred items.

Other components or techniques of ABA programs include:

Pivotal Response Training, which is less structured than DTT, targets a broad set of skills, is more play-based, and uses DTT as needed.

Incidental Teaching teaches behaviors and concepts throughout the child's day to day experiences.

Fluency Building teaches each element of a complex skill until it is fluent or occurs automatically and builds upon each fluent element until the complex skill is acquired.