ABA

What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) seeks to improve specific behaviors while demonstrating a reliable relationship between the procedures used and the changes in the individual's behavior. It uses positive reinforcement to increase desired behavior and social interaction and decrease inappropriate behavior.

It uses scientific principles of learning and motivation to teach effectively. Its main focus is the idea that what we do affects what we learn and what we'll do in the future.

ABA therapy programs are designed according to an individual's unique needs. For this purpose, analysts use different assessments to develop an ABA program that addresses the individual's specific needs.

Who can provide ABA therapy?

A BCBA(Board Certified Behavior Analyst) or a BCaBA (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) can provide ABA therapies.

Aim of ABA:

1. To increase the probability of recurrence of desired behavior.

2. To reach new skills.

3. To maintain behavior.

4. To decrease the frequency and intensity of disruptive behaviors.

Strategies used in ABA

1. Reinforcement

2. Prompting

3. Chaining

4. Fading

5. Shaping

6. Generalization

7. Incidental Training

The seven dimensions of ABA:

1. Generality: Behavior changes are durable and last across time, setting, and people.

2. Effectiveness: The desired behavior change is socially significant enough and occurs in a timely fashion.

3. Technological: Procedures are clear and can be replicated by others.

4. Applied: A socially significant difference in consumer behavior.

5. Conceptually systematic: Behavior change procedures are based on the principles of the science of behavior analysis.

6. Analytic: Changes in behavior occur through manipulating a functional relationship with the environment.

7. Behavioral: Behavior is defined in objective and measurable terms. (by Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. 1968)

Who can benefit from ABA?

• Autism

• Asperger Syndrome

• Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified

• Traumatic Brain Injuries

• Developmental Disabilities

• Alzheimer's and Dementia

• Problem Behaviors

• Tantrums

• Physical injurious

• Self Injuries

• Noncompliance

Types of ABA therapy:

1. DISCRETE TRIAL TRAINING teaches a skill by breaking it into simpler tasks or steps. these are short, increase the success rate, and allow for one-on-one teaching.

2. VERBAL BEHAVIOR teaches language to children by developing connections between words and their meanings.

3. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT TRAINING focuses on using naturally occurring situations to teach.

4. PIVOTAL RESPONSE TRAINING focuses on increasing motivation by adding easy items and giving reinforcement for the attempts made.

5. SELF MANAGEMENT TRAINING is used to help individuals manage themselves and increase their independence.

6. VIDEO MODELING uses repeated presentation of desired behavior to assist learning.

Myths about ABA therapy:

1. It is for autism only- It can be used with a variety of clients, including businesses and employees.

2. It is strictly a "timetable"- timetables are popular choices but NET(natural environment training) is also a major part of the therapy.

3. It tries to change the client- The goal is to influence the environmental variables around the client to assist them.

4. It can't work with other fields- Behavior analysts and therapists can and should collaborate with other fields.

5. It is the same across time- It is not very much different from the past.

References:

https://PsychologyClinix.com

www.autismspeaks.org

www.webmd.com