Improving behaviour in children with autism : applied behaviour analysis vs standard management

Abstract

Overview of the topic: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which is distinguished by two unusual kinds of behaviours: social interaction and difficulty in communication and repetitive behaviours. Even though the child has autism from the day of birth, it may not draw attention until the social demands will exceed the child’s limitations. In this dissertation, the effect of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to improve the child’s behaviour compared to usual management will be investigated. The research question: In children with autism, how does ABA compared to usual management improve the child’s behaviour? PICO elements: The population (P) studied were children with autism. The Intervention (I) observed was ABA. The Comparison (C) was usual management. The final desired Outcome (O) was improving behaviour. Method: The key elements of the PICO question were used as key terms to create alternative terms. These terms were combined by the use of Boolean Operators. Limiters were applied to these terms to narrow more the search results. The combined terms were searched by using Google Scholar and EBSCO. The PRISMA flowchart was used to exclude the articles which were irrelevant to the PICO question. The inclusion / exclusion criteria were used to assess the eligibility of the studies. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool was used to critically appraise the literature. Results: A total of five studies were analysed. These included three meta-analyses and two Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs). All three meta-analyses found a significant improvement in the child’s behaviour attending ABA programmes compared to usual management. Conclusion: A clear conclusion cannot be obtained but from the evidence gathered, it was found out that ABA programme improved the child’s behaviour more than usual management. Nonetheless, more research is needed to answer better the PICO question. Implications and recommendations: Increasing knowledge about ABA amongst the Maltese population, improving the child’s behaviour and decreasing the stigma towards children who have autism. Promoting more knowledge to health care professionals and parents about ABA is needed in Malta. A larger sample must be used for better results in the effectiveness of ABA.