Is ABA only effective for ASD?

[LadyDowagerHatt]

My 2.10 year old DD has a global developmental delay but autism has been ruled out. Her main issues are physical, concentration and focus and her speech is delayed (she only has around 20 words but does babble a lot as if she thinks she is talking). She is interested in everything around her, including other children, interacts well with family and she does some pretend play e.g. feeding her dollies. No problems with sleeping, eating or behaviour.

Would ABA be suitable for her? Is she too young developmentally for it? Or is it not really used for non-autistic children?

[WellTidy]

Learning through ABA is suitable for anyone, imo. My 3yo ds2 has ASD, and we do an intensive ABA programme gif him, but I now use the principles of ABA with my 8yo completely neuro typical DS1 too.

[whatamess0815]

ABA is for anyone really. I think it is often used for ASD is for some children with autism, it can be the only effective way to learn but it is for anyone really. I use the principles also for my NT child and they work just as well.

[amunt]

ABA has had a massive impact asd Ds' ability to concentrate and focus. And, as said above, I use it with NT sister as well.

[Bananasinpyjamas1]

Everyone uses it in some form or another. Every time we ask our kids to eat their greens before having a dessert, every time a school rewards children for putting their hand up, or if us as adults break a rule by speeding and getting points on our license.

I've wondered the same. My ASD child benefits from it about 50x more than anything else I've been offered or tried. But he is pretty severe, and other kids who are able to speak and function fairly well may show less of a difference. He would not be speaking functionally at all and more or less locked into himself. My older kids do struggle in different ways, and like most parents I've tried rewarding them doing their homework and setting good expectations. The only thing I'd wonder is, as the ABA as it is taught for ASD can be pretty rigid, and sitting down with star charts may not work for other or older children? But the principles might.