Effectiveness of Smart Applied Behavior Analysis Intervention in Teaching Non-Verbal Autism to Speak and Read

Abstract

Not being able to speak is one of the Autism Spectrum Disorder symptoms, which, if not treated properly, will remain unable to speak. Teaching them to speak and read is beneficial for cognitive development as well as its social and educational purpose. The aim of this study is to teach/train speaking and reading abilities in children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) who had been declared as non-verbal and should not expect to speak by clinics in the United States and Indonesia, using Smart ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis Rudy Sutadi’s Method). This study used an experimental method with a single-subject research design that focused on behavioral changes as a result of the treatment using Smart Applied Behavior Analysis on the subject. The participants were two nonverbal Autism Spectrum Disorder individuals, N (female, 12 years 6 months) and E (male, 9 years 8 months). This study showed that therapy with the Smart ABA resulted in the verbal abilities of both subjects. Both subjects eventually became verbal, and their verbal and nonverbal abilities continued to improve. The study was only on two children with non-verbal Autism Spectrum Disorder, using Indonesian with the Smart Applied Behavior Analysis method for autism that has been developed from the Applied Behavior Analysis Lovaas Method. It requires multi-center experimental research with large samples of various ages with multiple languages to further increase the validity and reliability. This novel Smart Applied Behavior Analysis method was developed by researchers based on the Lovaas Method's Discrete Trial Training/Applied Behavior Analysis.