All about ABA

 ABA

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a SCIENCE. It is evidence-based, and proven effective in understanding and improving human behavior. ABA focuses on understanding and utilizing how behavior is influenced and maintained.  Behavior is communication and ABA helps interpret what your child is trying to express through their current behavior set.  ABA looks at the reason behind the actions of each child, and the circumstances under which they occur to teach appropriate ways of reaching the goal of each specific behavior.  The goal of ABA therapy is to develop new skills, shape and refine previously learned behaviors, and decrease problem behaviors to help each child succeed. 

ABA differs from other fields in its focus, aim, and methods. Behavior analysts focus on defining behaviors of social significance, often referred to as target behaviors. Behavior analysts intervene to improve target behaviors while demonstrating a reliable relationship between the intervention and improvements in behavior. Once an effective intervention is implemented, ongoing data collection occurs. Behavior analysts program for generalization and maintenance to ensure that the behavior  caregivers to implement all interventions in order to facilitate a consistent protocol.

BACB

Here is a link to a video explaining ABA produced by our certification board, the BACB https://youtu.be/HnyYwWlenJg 

The Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) is our certification and credentialling board. The professional standards to become a BCBA include a Master’s degree in a ABA or a related field, additional verified post-master’s coursework in the field, 2,000 hours of extensive pre-service supervised fieldwork as an apprentice to an established BCBA, and a passing score on a final examination. To maintain BCBA status, continuing education requirements are necessary notably in the area of supervision and ethics.

The BACB website defines ABA in the following way: “Behavior analysis is the science of behavior, with a history extending back to the early 20th century. Its guiding philosophy is behaviorism, which is based on the premise that attempts to improve the human condition through behavior change (e.g., education, behavioral health treatment) will be most effective if behavior itself is the primary focus. To date, behavior-analytic scientists have conducted thousands of studies to identify the laws of behavior—the predictable ways in which behavior is learned and how it changes over time. The underlying theme of much of this work has been that behavior is a product of its circumstances, particularly the events that immediately follow the behavior. Behavior analysts have used this information to develop numerous techniques and treatment approaches for analyzing and changing behavior, and ultimately, to improve lives. Because this approach applied behavior analysis (ABA) is largely based on behavior and its consequences, techniques generally involve teaching individuals more effective ways of behaving through positive reinforcement and working to change the social consequences of existing behavior. Treatment approaches based on ABA have been empirically shown to be effective in a wide variety of areas.”

Verbal Behavior

Therapy with a Verbal Behavior (VB) component focuses on the function of language over the form of language.  VB teaches communication and systematically expands language repertoires.  It is based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and the theories of behaviorist B.F. Skinner.  This approach encourages people with autism to learn language by connecting words with their reasons for use.  Just because an early learner can ask for a cookie doesn't mean they can label a cookie or answer a question with cookie as the answer.  VB expands language repertoires to facilitate communication and socialization with others.

Verbal Behavior therapy does not focus on words as labels only (cat, car, etc.). Rather, it teaches why we use words and how they are useful in making requests, communicating ideas, and having discussions with others.

VB and ABA compliment each other.  Used together, they can be a power house for kids with autism or other intellectual disabilities.

 B.F. Skinner introduced his definitions of verbal operants and verbal behavior in his famous book “Verbal Behavior.” Verbal behavior is socially mediated and reinforced by another person’s behavior. In Applied Behavior Analysis, verbal operants are the primary focus of verbal behavior. These operants include: mands, tacts, echoics, intraverbals, textuals, and transcriptions. As you delve into the world of ABA to help your child, it is essential that you know every verbal operant, what evokes each verbal operant, and what reinforces each verbal operant.  

Click here for a link that explains and illustrates some of the most common verbal operants in ABA  Verbal Operants - How to ABA