Behavior Approach for Autism in School to Improve Attention, Social Interaction, and Communication

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face many challenges in educational settings in areas such as attention, communication, and social skill. In Indonesia, ASD is increasingly prevalent, affecting about 1-2% of the child population, although many cases remain undiagnosed due to limited awareness. The study explores the effectiveness of behavior modification techniques, particularly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which relies on positive reinforcement to improve attention and reduce maladaptive behaviors like wandering during tasks. Through a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design, the research focuses on three children diagnosed with ASD. Shaping and positive reinforcement, including praise and rewards, are applied to increase the duration of their attention and task focus. Results show significant improvements in the participants’ attention span and reduced wandering behavior, confirming that behavioral interventions effectively manage ASD-related challenges in school. The study advocates further integrating behavioral approaches with communication-based therapies for optimal outcomes.