What is ABA

What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis is a science devoted to understanding behavior in order to change socially significant behavior to a meaningful degree. Socially significant behavior are behaviors that can improve the life experience of an individual. Examples of these include social skills, communication, daily living, self-care, leisure, vocation, and much more. The ultimate goal of a Behavior Analyst is to help individuals bring about meaningful change that is generalized into all facets of life and maintained over time.

The
seven dimensions of behavior

The field of ABA is predicated on 7 dimensions that help to explain what the field stands for and what drives a Behavior Analysts goal to bring about meaningful change. The seven dimensions of behavior are the foundation to the field and include:

Generality

Meaningful behavior change should occur across different people and environments and well after treatment ends.

Effective

Goals or behavior targeted for change should be relevant to the individual and the culture of their community. In addition, the interventions being implemented must demonstrate socially significant change.

Technological

Behavior change procedures (interventions) should be written transparently using clear and concise language in such a way that anyone else could replicate it.

Applied

Behavior change is considered applied when it has improved the everyday life of a learner to a socially significant degree that maintains over time.

Conceptually Systematic

Strategies and interventions used must be based on the principles of applied behavior analysis meaning they are evidence based.

Analytic

Decisions must be data informed.

Behavioral

Behavior targeted for change must be observable and measurable.

Misconceptions
(What ABA is NOT)

ABA is done at a table-top

ABA is not restricted to one environment. ABA is concerned with the individual needs of each person and tailoring a learning environment specific to them. ABA services are often, and should be, implemented in the natural setting, the setting or environment relevant to the goal, and/or sometimes in a more structured environment (i.e. classroom). The field of Applied Behavior Analysis, and the practitioners of the field, stress the critical importance of an individuals’ ability to generalize information. Generalization occurs through teaching across multiple environments and with multiple people.

ABA is forced trials at a desk

ABA and Discrete Trial Training (DTT) are often referred to as one in the same. However, ABA is a science dedicated to changing behavior. DTT is one tool in the ABA tool box. DTT refers to the strategy of breaking down skills and teaching them in a systematic way. DTT should not include forced trials at a desk. Instead, for those who benefit from the strategy, it should include a controlled, distraction-free environment, that targets teaching different skills in a systematic way.

ABA tries to change who somebody is

A good practitioner in the field of ABA is dedicated to helping individuals reach their goals. Clients and practitioners should work side-by-side in identifying the need or want for services as well as the strategies used to obtain those goals.

ABA is a new experimental therapy

The field of Applied Behavior Analysis has been around since 1950. It is the ONLY therapy recommended by the US surgeon General and has been shown in research to work for over 30 years.

ABA is harmful or uncomfortable

Some people believe that ABA services relies on the sole use of punishers or aversive to change behavior. This is incorrect. The field of Applied Behavior Analysis and the ethical code that drives the practitioners of the field, practice under the understanding that reinforcement and proactive strategies should drive behavior change.