
Exposing individuals with developmental disabilities to groups may not be enough to help them truly socialize. Socialization is more about making meaningful interactions with others and not just co-existing in one setting. It’s a person’s ability to relate to other people and effectively communicating with them. It also happens when they choose to do certain activities together. As professionals who support individuals with these disorders, we can help our clients learn important skills that they can use in connecting with their peers. With the use of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), we can observe their behaviors in social settings and evaluate what kind of stimuli make them react in certain ways. These can help us determine the antecedent and cause of specific responses and reinforce positive behaviors that help them connect with other people.