What is ABA Therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. It’s the science of understanding how behaviors are formed, established, and how they can be changed. ABA is typically used with children with autism in order to provide children with the necessary tools to function as independently and successfully as possible.
ABA utilizes methods to teach and promote social skills, communication, learning and academic skills, and self-care habits. ABA is most successful with intense applications for several hours per day, several days per week and prior to the age of 4.
ABA Therapy uses several techniques tailored to the individual's needs, such as Modeling, PECS, Verbal Behavior and DTT. You can learn more about those techniques and what they mean below.
ABA Therapy Glossary:
ABC’s of Behavior - Antecedents, Behavior, Consequences: Three components of behavior. Antecedents refer to what happens to provoke or cause the behavior to occur. Behavior refers to anything someone does that is observable and measurable. Consequences refer to what happens because of the behavior.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: According to the CDC, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have difficulties with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): BCBA is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. Professionals certified at the BCBA level are independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services.
BCBA Supervision: To obtain your BCBA, you must complete supervised fieldwork. A BACB-approved BCBA who can serve as your supervisor. Typically, they supervise direct staff and design the intervention and treatment plan.
Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM5): The latest edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s professional reference book on mental health and brain-related conditions. This is the main guide for mental health providers in the U.S.
Discrete Trial Training (DTT): An educational strategy based on the principles of applied behavior analysis. This method involves breaking down skills into smaller components and teaching those smaller components individually.
Echoic: A form of verbal behavior that refers to the ability to imitate a sound upon request.
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA): A process for identifying problem behaviors and developing interventions to improve or eliminate those behaviors.
Incidental Teaching: A strategy that uses the principles of ABA to provide structured learning opportunities in the child’s natural environment by using their interests and natural motivation.
Individualized Behavior Plan (IEP): A plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services.
Intraverbal: A type of verbal behavior that involves day-to-day language where the speaker responds to the other person without repeating what they just said.
Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA): A licensed health care professional who treats individuals with autism, autism spectrum disorders, and other related disorders in a state that regulates behavior analysts and therefore requires a license.
Mand: A type of verbal behavior where the speaker is able to request something they want or need.
Natural Environment Teaching (NET): A teaching method used in ABA that allows a child to learn new skills in an environment they are in every day.
Perseverative Behavior: Repeating behaviors, such as words, phrases, songs, etc., due to difficulty shifting from one concept to another or changing a behavior pattern once having started it.
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) / ABA Therapist: A paraprofessional certification in behavior analysis certified by the BACB.
Reinforcement: Refers to the consequences that strengthen a certain behavior. Used as a motivator to help an individual with a task.
Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB): Actions an individual performs that could result in physical harm to one’s body. Examples could be hitting, biting or scratching.
Stereotypic/Repetitive Behavior: Also referred to as ‘stimming’, these behaviors may be verbal or nonverbal and are self-initiated and repetitive movements. Some examples are hand flapping, toe walking, sniffing, or spinning.
Tact: A form of verbal behavior that involves the speaker using their senses and then commenting about it. Tact is often associated with expressive labels.
Verbal Behavior (VB): Refers to the teaching of behavior that encourages people with autism to learn language by connecting words with their purposes. VB is made up of four-word types - Mand, Tact, Intraverbal, and Echoic.