Autistic Behavior Analysis

Problem
Autistic people may be slightly uncomfortable when they first interact with others because they have limited experiences. This is a growing concern because it is estimated that by the year 2030 about 20% of the current U.S. population will be at the age of 65 or older. This means they will be retiring from their jobs so new workers will be needed to replace them. Specialized schools have been teaching individuals with autism functions and skills to be able to join the workforce someday, because being employed is a critical component for most individuals to be self-sufficient. Individuals with autism should have the opportunity to experience this independency (Autism Speaks). But if these autistics get into the workforce and are not
The staff members are all trained in applied behavioral analysis (ABA) and can handle the students if something were to go out of hand. Since we are working with students in the highest class these students have the most years of training and education; they are the students who are most typically functioning. Friendship and the social impact it brings, has been seen as a “protective psychosocial factor [and] these effects could be quite meaningful to changing the trajectory of outcomes for children with ASD” which is why the implementation of this program is critical for the DDDC (Koegel). If sufficient numbers are present with people willing to be a part of this program then we will begin the program on a trial basis and see if it is effective although it should be, given that there have been other similar successful
Both of these programs have the motif of promoting independence and feelings of control by support of peer interaction and the feeling of acceptance within a community. Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which has made a commitment to creating a volunteer program which provides opportunities for “one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)” and has many established programs in schools and centers all over the world (Best Buddies). The purpose of this program is to create amiability between people with and without intellectual disabilities; and successfully the program also provides social mentoring and interaction for the students who are participating in it. Volunteers spend time each week with their buddy and do something fun whether it is going to the movies or playing board games together. This is important because many autistic children do not get to experience friendship. Most of the interactions they have are with their own families at home or at school with their teachers. What would your life be like without your friends? That is reality for most autistic children. Through the Best Buddies program these individuals get to