Teaching through Applied Behavior Analysis

Human Brain Photo by Natasha Connell on Unsplash

Outside of his work, New York State dentist Dr. Joseph Ayoub is dedicated to causes that support the well-being of children with autism. Dr. Joseph Ayoub is a long-time volunteer with the Developmental Disabilities Institute Inc. for Autism, which uses applied behavior analysis (ABA) in its educational programming.

ABA programs help students with autism and other developmental disabilities to teach and improve life skills, communication skills, and academic skills. ABA is based on a method known as Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence (ABC). The antecedent is a circumstance that provokes a specific behavior. The consequence depends on whether the behavior is appropriate.

An ABA therapist will identify several skills to work on using the ABC approach and establish milestones to measure progress. When the student performs the desired behavior, he or she will be rewarded through praise or a personalized reward.

Over time, the student will be more inclined to exhibit behaviors that are rewarded. While most ABA practitioners hold a master’s degree, parents and caregivers can learn basic ABA techniques to help their child maintain healthy behaviors at home.

Developmental Disabilities Institute School-Based Program

Students in school
Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

Cosmetic dentist Dr. Joseph Ayoub has provided oral care to patients at his practice Dentistry By Design for more than 20 years. Alongside his work as a dentist, Dr. Joseph Ayoub and his wife are actively involved with the long-running nonprofit Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), which caters to young people with special needs. 

For more than half a century, the DDI has addressed the educational and vocational needs of children, adolescents, and young adults who are on the autistic spectrum or have other developmental disabilities. The program accepts juveniles between the ages of three and five. 

The DDI’s school-based program operates three early-childhood learning centers that provide youth with the support to excel in Kindergarten. Using effective early-intervention approaches, DDI program staff provide onsite or in-home services, including counseling, physical and speech therapy, and parenting classes. 

As a result of the high-quality learning environment and professional support, 88 percent of school-based program participants are placed in a mainstream school by the time they enter kindergarten.