Early intervention for young children with autism: Continuum-based behavioral models

Over the last three decades, instructional methods derived from applied beh avior analysis (ABA) have shown considerable promise for many young childre n with autism. The ABA approach establishes a priori that assessment and in tervention methods must be based on generally accepted rules of scientific evidence. On one hand, the approach has produced a rich resource of concept ually consistent and scientifically validated techniques that can be applie d in various combinations across many different contexts. On the other hand , this diversity has resulted in some confusion regarding the precise chara cteristics of ABA. In this article, the authors first describe many of the common programmatic and methodologic elements that form the foundation of t he approach. A summary of the scope of the behavioral research is provided including greater detail on six studies that demonstrated large-scale inter ventions. Finally, the authors describe components of program models that s hare common elements of the ABA approach and use a broad continuum of tradi tional behavioral techniques. Some specific myths about the approach are si multaneously addressed.