Blog

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodology involves the application of basic behavioral practices(positive reinforcement, repetition, and prompting) to facilitate the development of language, positiveskills, and social behavior as well as to help reduce everyday social problems and serious behaviordisorders.Data collected through hundreds of studies currently indicate that ABA is a highly effective method toteach children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other developmentaldisabilities.Tested by research and experience for more than 35 years, ABA practices have been endorsed by theSurgeon General, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Association for Science in AutismResearch. The skills and experience of an ABA professional are essential for successful treatment.Continuous and systematic evaluation of effectiveness is a fundamental component of the ABAmethodology.ABA can be used to teach a variety of skills and positive behaviors, including language, reading, socialskills, positive peer support, academic engagement, functional living skills, and more. ABA methodologyis also effective in decreasing inappropriate behaviors such as noncompliance, tantrums, bed-wetting,feeding problems, aggression, and self-injury.ABA techniques work across all environments: work, home, school, and the community. Examples oftherapy goals for each of these settings could include: Work – Increasing performance output, Improving upon social interactions amongst colleaguesor employers, Reducing off -task behavior, Increasing task fluency (speed at which a skill isperformed) Home – Toilet training, Sibling interaction/Social interaction, Communication or LanguageTraining, Chores or Task Completion, Homework Completion School – Increasing group participation, Reduction of problem behaviors, Functional BehaviorAssessments, Reducing off-task instructional behavior Community – Generalization of skills across settings, Extinguishing wandering or elopementbehaviors, Teaching street safety, Stranger DangerIdeally, all relevant caregivers or professionals (Teachers, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist,Nannies, etc.) should work collaboratively as a team to generalize and implement the treatment plandeveloped by the ABA professionals. Teamwork can make all the difference in helping children reachtheir potential.Effective ABA intervention for autism is not a “one size fits all” approach and should never be viewed asa “canned” set of programs or drills. On the contrary, a skilled therapist customizes the intervention toeach learner’s skills, needs, interests, preferences and family situation. For these reasons, an ABA 2program for one learner will look different than a program for another learner. That said, quality ABAprograms for learners with autism have the following in common:Planning and Ongoing Assessment ABA Techniques and Philosophy ReferencesBaer, D., Wolf, M., & Risley, R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal ofApplied Behavior Analysis, 1, 91 – 97.Baer, D., Wolf, M., & Risley, R. (1987). Some still-current dimensions of applied behavioranalysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 20, 313 – 327.Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC) (2000). Report of theMADSEC Autism Task Force.Myers, S. M., & Plauché Johnson, C. (2007). Management of children with autism spectrumdisorders.Pediatrics, 120, 1162-1182.National Academy of Sciences (2001). Educating Children with Autism. Commission on Behavioral andSocial Sciences and Education. New York State Department of Health, Early Intervention Program (1999). Clinical Practice Guideline: 3Report of the Recommendations: Autism / Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Assessment andIntervention for Young Children (Age 0-3 years).Sulzer-Azaroff, B. & Mayer, R. (1991). Behavior analysis for lasting change. Fort Worth, TX : Holt,Reinhart & Winston, Inc.US Department of Health and Human Services (1999). Mental Health: A Report of theSurgeon General.Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse andMental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health,National Institute of Mental Health.www.centerforautism.comwww.appliedbehavioralstrategies.com