The Benefits of Early Intervention and Full-Time ABA Therapy

Early ABA intervention gives autistic children more time to build social, communication, and life skills. Starting therapy early can support long-term growth, confidence, and independence. 

The Benefits of Early Intervention and Full-Time ABA Therapy

When it comes to ABA therapy and early intervention, almost any therapist you talk to will tell you that the earlier autism is detected, the more effective therapy can be. This is especially true of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy in autism.  

Research has shown that early ABA intervention in autism at a young age is associated with better outcomes in life skills development and helps reduce challenging behaviors that can make it difficult for children with autism to interact with others and learn in traditional ways. 

Starting ABA early supports children in learning new skills, reducing difficult behaviors, and building stronger connections with the people around them. The benefits of early intervention and autism therapy also go far beyond therapy sessions; They carry into family life, friendships, and everyday independence. 

How Do I Know My Child is Autistic?

Some of the early signs of autism can start showing up in babies as young as six months old. And by the time they’re 12–18 months old, those signs can become even more noticeable.  

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children between 18 and 24 months be screened for autism and other developmental differences. If you notice something that concerns you, bringing it up with your child’s doctor is an important first step. Trust your instincts. You know your child best.  

Autism can appear in different ways. Parents often notice changes in three main areas: 

Social Skills

• Avoiding eye contact 
• Not responding to smiles or other facial expressions 
• Making facial expressions that don’t suit the context 
• Struggling to understand other people’s facial expressions 
• Ignoring objects when they’re pointed out 
• Not pointing out objects to others 
• Having difficulty showing empathy 
• Less likely to share things with others 
• Not responding when their name is called 
• Not using toys or other objects during play as expected

Communication Skills

• Not saying single words by 15 months or two-word phrases by 24 months
• Repeating words without understanding their meaning
• Showing little interest in communicating with others
• Losing language or social skills between 15 months and 2 years old.
• Unable to express feelings or thoughts independently
• Not babbling or echoing sounds as an infant

Behavior

• Engages in repetitive behaviors (stimming), such as rocking, spinning, twirling fingers, or flapping hands, to self-regulate
• Walks on toes for extended periods
• Prefers routine and struggles with changes or transitions to new activities
• Can become fixated on a specific object or interest
• Repeats certain activities or actions over and over
• Has heightened or diminished sensitivity to smell, sound, light, texture, or touch

If you see several of these patterns, reaching out for an evaluation can open the door to early support. The sooner intervention begins, the sooner your child can start building skills that make daily life easier and more enjoyable. 

What Is ABA?

ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis, is an autism treatment therapy that helps autistic individuals learn skills in a structured yet positive way. Using encouragement, reinforcement, and step-by-step teaching, ABA meets children where they are and builds on their strengths.  

ABA has been proven effective for people of all ages, but early ABA intervention benefits are especially strong, giving young children the chance to grow in communication, social interaction, self-care, play, and independence.  

Does Early Intervention Work for Autism?

The short answer is yes. Early intervention typically refers to services that begin before preschool, often between birth and approximately three years of age.  

At that age, the brain is super flexible and able to learn a lot more easily than it will be later on. That’s why starting treatment early is so important – it gives your child the best possible chance to make big strides in their development. 

Here are some key reasons why early detection of autism and early intervention with ABA therapy is so important.

Building on Neuroplasticity

The biggest advantage of early intervention when it comes to Autism Spectrum Disorder has to do with something called neuroplasticity. This simply means that the brain can change and adapt based on what it’s experiencing. 

When kids with ASD receive early intervention, there’s a better chance that their brain development will be positively influenced, creating and shaping new neural pathways early on. This can sometimes even prevent challenging behaviors from becoming habits, which can be a big help for both the child and their family. 

Learning and School-Readiness

Another benefit of early intervention is that it can help children with ASD to be better prepared for starting school. When you find the right ABA therapy program, the therapists and staff are committed to caring for your child and helping them grow, from initial basic skills development to school readiness. This is why ABA therapy can help autistic children develop the skills they need to learn effectively in a group or classroom setting, like paying attention to the teacher, following directions, and working cooperatively with peers. 

Communication Skills

ABA is particularly effective in developing communication skills in autistic children. This can include teaching them how to use language to communicate their needs, wants, and thoughts. Depending on the needs of the child and family, different communication styles can be taught, and ABA teams should collaborate with other providers to determine what direction to take.  

Social Skills

ABA can also help children with ASD develop social skills, such as how to make friends, take turns, and engage in conversation. The sooner they learn these, the easier their lives will be in social settings.  

Behavior

Early intervention with ABA can also help reduce challenging behaviors in autistic children. In many instances, it teaches them how to manage their emotions, follow rules, and engage in other appropriate behaviors, including how to ask for space or a break if needed.  

Parenting

Parenting an autistic child is challenging, which makes it important to really understand your child’s unique traits and behaviors. This is especially true when they’re upset or distressed and may not communicate in the same way as other kids. 

ABA teaches new techniques that can help you interact with your child in a more effective way and offer innovative solutions that can make a big difference for both you and your child. ABA therapy for autism is not just about working with your child; it’s about incorporating the family into services and making sure the skills your child learns in therapy can be transferred to the home setting.  

Matching Their Peers

A important study by Dr. Ivar Lovaas showed that almost half of the children who received early intensive ABA Therapy were able to catch up to the average range of their peers in intellectual and educational function.  

Independent Living Skills

It is really important for autistic children to do things independently, just like other children, and early intervention helps your child learn important life skills right from the beginning. 

When you start working on these skills early on, your child is much more likely to become confident and independent as they grow. This can be a big help in dealing with all kinds of challenges that come up in daily life. Think of things from washing their own hands, to toilet training, dressing independently, to packing their own lunch.  

Intervene Early With Lighthouse Autism Center

Lighthouse Fusion ABA therapy is an innovative approach used by the Lighthouse Autism Center to fuse the best practices of ABA and speech therapy into a one-of-a-kind clinical model that delivers better outcomes for children with autism. LAC combines this with various autism resources to help you and your child live a better life. 

By combining evidence-based care with compassion and family support, LAC gives children the best chance to grow, connect, and thrive. Contact us to find out more about how we can help your family.