Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a type of behavior therapy (and teaching method) that takes a scientific approach to improve socially meaningful behaviors through simplifying learning by breaking skills down into smaller, easy-to-learn steps. The child is provided with guidance from an instructor/teacher or parent when s/he is first learning a skill as well as multiple opportunities to practice the skill. Preferred items or activities are used to motivate the child. ABA is a data-driven teaching method which measures progress through assessment and data collection. ABA also looks at specific factors in the environment that cause behaviors to change.

• ABA takes a scientific approach to behavior change by describing the behavior identified for change, predicting when the behavior identified for change will occur, and controlling when the behavior identified for change will occur by making changes to the environment.

 

• The behavior(s) identified for changes are socially meaningful. Socially meaningful behaviors are those behaviors that affect a person’s ability to get along in society. A few examples of socially meaningful behaviors are talking, self-feeding, taking turns, sharing, and making eye contact.

 

• ABA works to identify which parts of the environment make it more likely or less likely for the behavior of interest to occur. The parts of the environment can then be changed to make the occurrence of the socially meaningful behavior more likely.

 

• ABA simplifies learning by breaking skills down into smaller, easy-to-learn steps. The child is provided with guidance from the therapist, teacher, or parent when first learning the skill as well as multiple opportunities to practice the skill. The skill is then applied to natural environments.

 

• ABA Therapy is recommended by the following organizations as an effective treatment for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Surgeon General, American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Family Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Occupational Therapy Association, American Psychological Association, American Speech-Language Hearing Association, Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Autism Society of America, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Mental Health.

 

• ABA is useful for those with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, learning difficulties, and problematic behaviors. Visit these websites for more information on ABA for autism spectrum disorders: www.rethinkautism.com and www.autismspeaks.com .