What ABA Is
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the science of changing behavior and can be used to prevent problem behavior, reduce existing problem behavior, and teach new skills including communication, social, academic, and self-help skills. In short, ABA is simply good teaching.
What ABA Looks Like
ABA isn’t a cookie-cutter science that looks one specific way. Quality ABA services are individualized to the client’s needs and strengths. Some core ABA interventions (strategies) include reinforcement, shaping, prompting, modeling, and structured teaching such as breaking tasks down into smaller steps to teach. When teaching Parent and Behavior Academies, we use an ABA strategy called Behavioral Skills Training which involves four steps:
- explanation of how and why to use the skill (direct instruction)
- BCBA demonstration of the skill (modeling)
- parent practice of the skill (rehearsal)
- BCBA feedback on parent practice (feedback)
Who Benefits From ABA
Over 60 years of research have validated the use of ABA to teach individuals of all ages and abilities with a variety of diagnoses. ABA has been studied with neurotypical individuals as well as individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), developmental disabilities (e.g., Down syndrome, cerebral palsy), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities (LD), and schizophrenia. ABA is the study of how we learn and is applicable to anyone who uses behavior.