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What is Autism? | What is ABA? | Treating Autism using ABA

Welcome to the Athas School website

Áthas School is an ABA school in County Mayo, Ireland. It serves children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The school employs methods based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis, which have been demonstrated to be effective in the education and treatment of autism. It aims to improve the lives of children with autism by developing individualised programs to address the unique academic, social, communication, and behavioural needs of the students.

The school was set up by Mayo Autism Action, a group of parents determined to access appropriate education for their children in the Mayo area. Preparations for the school, centrally located in the IRD building in Kiltimagh, began in 2007. The area was renovated and equipped to accommodate the first group of children during the summer of 2008, providing space for a number of children to access much needed speech and occupational therapy. The school officially opened in September 2008, and is now serving four children ranging from 5 years to 17 years old, with plans of expanding as resources allow. Each child receives individualised instruction by highly trained staff, under the supervision of the school Director, a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst with a background in School Psychology and Supervisor of Education who holds a Masters Degree in ABA. Future plans include identifying a Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational Therapist for the school to provide a truly comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to education. The school also plans to provide structured training opportunities and additional support for parents, teachers, and others involved in the care and education of children with autism.

To date, Áthas has received no funding from the department of education and relies totally on fundraising efforts of friends, family and individuals in the community. The Croagh Patrick Challenge is the biggest annual fundraiser.

What is Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism is a disorder which affects language skills, verbal and non-verbal communication, social skills, leisure or play activities and behaviour. The disorder makes it hard for individuals with autism to communicate with others and learn from the world around them.

Autism is a spectrum disorder. That means the symptoms and characteristics of autism can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations, from mild to severe. Although autism is defined by a certain set of behaviours, children and adults can exhibit any combination of the behaviours to any degree of severity. Two children, both with the same diagnosis, can act very differently from one another and have varying skills.

Children with a diagnosis of autism can learn and live in their community when given access to an appropriate education and treatment. In Áthas School the method used is ABA (applied behaviour analysis). In Áthas School, interventions are designed to assist people with autism to achieve their full potential at all stages of their lives and to support and help parents and families to accomplish this.

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What is ABA?
Applied Behaviour Analysis is the science of behaviour change. It attempts to understand, explain, describe and predict behavior. It is the most comprehensive and effective approach to improving the lives of persons with autism and their families. ABA breaks tasks down into small achievable steps, each step building on the previous one. Data is taken to guide teaching and make decisions on instruction methods.

The treatment of autism using ABA
Applied Behaviour Analysis is the science of behaviour change. It attempts to understand, explain, describe and predict behavior. It is the most comprehensive and effective approach to improving the lives of persons with autism and their families. ABA breaks tasks down into small achievable steps, each step building on the previous one. Data is taken to guide teaching and make decisions on instruction methods.

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