What is ABA? (11 Things to Know!)

The technical definition of ABA is: “Applied Behavior Analysis is the science in which procedures derived from principles of behavior are systematically applied to improve socially significant behavior to a  meaningful degree and to demonstrate experimentally that the procedures employed were responsible for the improvement in behavior”. (Cooper, Heron, and Heward, 1987)

Applied: Important to those involved AND/OR to society.

Behavior: Has to be something observable. The classic test: if a dead man can do it, it is not behavior (Lindsley's dead man's test) — walking, eating, dressing all pass.

Analysis: Demonstrates a relationship between the changes made to the environment and the behavior.

11 Important things to know about ABA

• ABA is a scientific approach to change behavior.
• ABA does not mean 1:1 discrete trial instruction only.
• ABA can be used 1:1 and in groups.
• ABA is a broad umbrella of teaching methodologies and intervention methods.
• ABA can be broken down into three basic teaching methodologies for children with Autism and related developmental disabilities: (i) discrete trial teaching (DTT) (ii) incidental teaching (IT) (iii) Verbal behavior teaching (VB)
• ABA uses consequences to change behavior — mostly reinforcement; punishment procedures are rare and tightly governed.
• ABA is used in schools, homes, communities, workplaces, hospitals, etc.
• ABA can be used with ANYONE.
• ABA is most commonly known as a concept used with individuals diagnosed with the Autism Spectrum.
• ABA is not a table, a book, some candy and a child.
• ABA is what you are already doing every day with everyone you come in contact with.

To learn more about ABA and its history visit Special Learning online and download the e-book ABA Overview: Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis.

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