What is ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a type of evidence-based therapy that focuses on improving specific behaviors, such as social skills, communication, reading, and academics as well as adaptive learning skills, such as fine motor dexterity, hygiene, grooming, domestic capabilities, punctuality, and job competence. At PBH, we exclusively treat socially significant behaviors, meaning that we work on behaviors that will have a meaningful impact on your child’s life.
ABA is primarily used to treat those with autism, but it's effective for children and adults with psychological disorders in a variety of settings, including schools, workplaces, homes, and clinics. Research shows that consistent ABA can significantly improve behaviors and skills and decrease the need for special services.
How it works
ABA takes a research approach to therapy based on proven theories of learning and behavior. Therapists who use ABA understand how human behaviors are learned and how they can be changed over time.
ABA breaks a behavior into smaller steps, teaches those steps to the client, and then rewards them for carrying out those steps successfully. These rewards are faded overtime so that the learner will be able to complete the initial tasks with intrinsic reinforcement alone. The cornerstone of ABA is the “ABCs” of behavior—the antecedent, behavior, and consequence of the behavior. The antecedent is what occurs immediately before the relevant behavior, essentially what ‘sets the stage’ for the behavior. The behavior is the response itself, this can be either an action or verbal response. The consequence is what immediately follows the behavior. This is where positive or neutral reinforcement is introduced.
For example, if the goal is to increase functional communication and reduce aggression, a BCBA may give a child a toy or activity if he/she appropriately requests to access the preferred items. The BCBA would not provide access to the preferred item if the child hit them as a means to gain access to it. The BCBA would contrive numerous opportunities for the child to access preferred items and encourage them to utilize appropriate requesting using research based methodology.
The BCBA evaluates a client’s behavior and develops treatment plans to help improve the communication and behavior skills necessary for success in their personal and professional lives. ABA therapists can also provide training to parents and teachers. For the greatest results, ABA requires heavy monitoring and continuous evaluation. BCBA’s and other health professionals work within settings such as schools, homes, and community centers to evaluate and modify treatment as it progresses.