April 2 is World Autism Day. While a cause and cure remain
elusive, doctors have made great strides in treatment.

Millions of children have autism and it can affect all of them differently.

"Within the spectrum of autism we have kids that don't talk at all, we have kids who talk a little bit, there are kids that talk quite a bit,” said Dr. David Sidener from the Garden Academy.

These differences make it difficult to find teaching methods that work for everyone.

At the Garden Academy in New Jersey they use a widely accepted therapy called ABA or applied behavioral analysis.

Doctors told Pam Kattouf her 6-year-old son Justin would never communicate. But after four years of ABA he was able say, “I love you Mommy.”

In the simplest terms, ABA is learning through practice — teaching a child a skill over and over until they can do it on their own.

A correct answer gets a lick of a lollipop. Completing a task is rewarded with time on a scooter. And it's not just skills that are learned, cues like a recorder teach kids how to react.

"My son went from someone who was really in his own world, now he engages in conversation and play with others," said Kattouf.

Before ABA Emily Stachel didn't talk and would isolate herself.

"Now she says to her brother Aiden, ‘play with me,’ which is tremendous,” said Emily’s mother, Christine.

"We hope that they will transition to regular public education and grow up to graduate from high school," said Dr. Sidener.

And allow these children to become as independent as possible.