Brandon, a 6-year-old, was diagnosed with autism at age two. Since then, he has been receiving a treatment called applied behavioral analysis. After four years of receiving applied behavioral analysis, which of the following outcomes is most likely for Brandon? (A) He will have a higher IQ than before he started. (B) He will have excellent social relationships with family and friends. (C) He required intensive treatment at first, but after one year, his time in therapy will be reduced. (D) He required behavioral treatment as well as a supplemental therapy, such as group therapy, to increase his social skills.

(A) He will have a higher IQ than before he started.

Explanation:

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a branch of science that studies socially relevant human behavior. This science seeks to observe, analyze and also explain the association between human behavior, the environment and learning.

ABA aims to work for the development of autistic people, from childhood to adulthood, using techniques that enable the increase of cognitive, motor, language and social integration capacity. This approach uses repetition practices to repel negative behaviors that interfere with the learning process and has direct impacts on improving basic skills such as looking and imitating or complex skills such as reading, talking and interacting.

Thus, the effect of treatment will increase autistic IQ compared to initiation of treatment and this will induce a considerable increase in patient quality of life.