ABA vs. Social Communication Disorder
Comparative Analysis
Today, the Psychological Board Association finds it difficult to decide whether ABA Therapy is better than Social Awareness Communication or not. Several studies have revealed that the advocates of both therapies consider whether a child has been diagnosed with autism or the does the child seem to exhibit symptoms of autism? According to the DSM-5 field test, many children have been diagnosed with autism when they only have Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder. Some speech-language pathologists consider that it is better to have the children fully tested before diagnosis of autism.
Differences Between ASD and SCD
There are several differences between ASD and SCD (a red flag for some parents who might suspect that their child was misdiagnosed with ASD). Kids with autism have difficulties in social communication and exhibit repetitive or disruptive behaviors. Some repetitive or disruptive behaviors may include flapping, jumping, and rocking. On the other hand, children with SCD display a consistent behavior and use verbal and non-verbal communication cues across different texts. ASD and SCD have verbal and non-verbal communication difficulties thereby making the diagnosis difficult. However, specialists in both fields still maintain that treating a child for a communication disorder is far easier than treating a child with ABA. According to them, if a child is given the opportunity to socialize, it will make a child speak and behave properly.
In ASD, the daily schedule, expectation, or chores will benefit the children in processing information visually. In contrast, SCD uses visual supports for a child’s daily schedule, expectations, and chore chart, etc. to allow the kids process information visually as well. Also, planning controlled play dates can also help a child talk faster than using ASD which only focuses on repeating words day in and day out as a reinforcement technique. It must be noted that reinforcing something consistently frustrates and bothers such children as they do not like eye contact, hugging, or touching. Sensitivity issues are challenging for both the children and the respective associations. SCD believes in making consistent interactions with kids and their peers (whether autistic or not) and endeavoring to bring the children out of isolation. ASD, on the other hand, believes in the sensory as a contributive factor in treating children with different spectrum of ASD. In contrast, ABA firmly believes in understanding the behavior of each child and does not rely solely on dialogue therapy. Along with SCD, there are several ABA methods that are used in helping the children to succeed in today’s world.
Bridging the Gap Between Therapists and Parents
Finally, both parties do agree on bridging the gap between therapists and parents to achieve the best results. As SCD is a new diagnosis, the researchers find it difficult to diagnose the two conditions separately. However, they believe in their new modifications funded by private companies such as Autism Speaks. The scientists used DSM-5 criteria for both ASD and SCD to reevaluate a large number of families previously assigned to an autism sub-type under DSM-IV. Most importantly, treatment should address the inimitable needs of the individual as established through evaluation. The therapies are focused on improving social communication by using speech and language therapy, ABA, Essential Retort Training, Early Start Denver Model, societal skills groups, and Intellectual Behavioral Therapy.
Conclusion
Although there is not a single concrete method to help a child to communicate, it is the bridging of a home, school, and therapies that will help the children later to lead a better life in future.
References
Kim, Y. S., Fombonne, E., Koh, Y., Kim, S., Cheon, K., & Leventhal, B. L. (2014). A Comparison of DSM-IV Pervasive Developmental Disorder and DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevalence in an Epidemiologic Sample. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,53(5), 500-508. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2013.12.021