ABA Therapy in the ASD Population: Predictors of Long Term Social Functioning and Gender Differences

Background: Research indicates that Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is one of the leading empirically-based interventions currently available to improve social skills in young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD; Peters-Scheffer et al., 2001; Zachor et al., 2007; Eikeseth et al., 2007).  Furthermore, the age at which a child with ASD starts ABA therapy, as well as the amount of therapy received, may be related to the degree of improvement in social functioning demonstrated later in life (Fenske et al., 1985; Eikeseth et al., 2007).  A majority of past studies focus on the effects of ABA therapy in early intervention, as well as short term outcomes of social functioning.  There has been little research conducted to determine how the degree of ABA therapy received and the age at which the individual started ABA therapy relates to current levels of social functioning in children over the age of 10.  The current study is unique because it examines an older age group than previous studies have to determine if there are lasting effects of ABA therapy.  Another finding in the literature suggests that males with ASD tend to have better social functioning than females with ASD (Carter et al., 2007).  However, research investigating gender differences in social functioning after participating in ABA therapy is lacking.

Objectives: The current study aims to investigate the relationship of current levels of social functioning in a population of children with ASD over 10 years old in relation to: (a) degree of ABA therapy and (b) age at which the individual started ABA therapy.  Additionally, the current study will explore possible gender differences in participants’ social functioning outcomes.

Methods: Participants will include individuals from the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC; https://sfari.org/simons-simplex-collection) ages 10 to 18 years old. All have received clinical diagnoses of ASD through administrations of the Autism Diagnostic Interview—Revised (ADI-R; Rutter et al, 2009) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS; Lord et al, 2000).  Current social functioning will be assessed by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, Second Edition (VABS-II; Sparrow, Cicchetti, & Balla, 2005) socialization domain. An SSC-specific form called the Treatment History Form will provide information regarding the amount of ABA therapy received starting at age two through age eighteen years.

Results: Analyses will utilize multiple linear regressions to determine whether the amount of ABA therapy and/or the age at which individuals started ABA therapy are predictors of positive social functioning outcomes for individuals with ASD.

Conclusions: The findings of this study will contribute to the literature regarding the relationship between ABA therapy and social functioning outcomes later in life as well as how these outcomes may differ by gender.  With these long term outcomes in mind, parents and service providers may be able make decisions about the age at which children with ASD would benefit from ABA therapy, and also how long they decide to continue utilizing this therapy.