What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
- Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is devoted to understanding and improving human behavior. It objectively defines and measures behavior, and it focuses on socially significant behavior.
- Research has shown that individuals with autism do not learn readily from typical environments, but many can learn a great deal given appropriate instruction, namely intensive behavioral intervention.
- ABA focuses on teaching behavior systematically in a highly structured environment. Every skill a child with autism does not demonstrate – from relatively simple responses like looking at others, to more complex acts like spontaneous communication and social interaction – is broken down into small steps. Each step is taught using positive reinforcement for appropriate responses. The function of problematic behavior such as tantrums, non-contextual noise, self-injury and withdrawal, is analyzed to determine what in the child’s environment is reinforcing that behavior. By carefully constructing reinforcement in the child’s environment and by teaching him or her replacement skills, many problem behaviors can be reduced or eliminated.
- Children are given many opportunities to practice new and emerging skills until desired responses are performed readily, easily and independently. Data are collected, graphed and analyzed to quantify a child’s progress.
- As a child progresses, skills are also practiced and reinforced in less structured situations, and instruction may be delivered not only in one-on-one settings, but also in group instruction. Emphasis is given to teaching children to generalize learning and skill demonstration from one environment to another, from school to home, from one instructor to another, and ultimately to community settings.
What Behavior Analysis is Not:
- A teaching method (e.g. miss-miss-prompt, discrete trial, verbal behavior, etc). These methods use the principles of behavior analysis, but do not define ABA.
- A quick fix. ABA is not a miracle cure. It is labor intensive and takes a lot of time.
- Specific to autism. The principles of behavior apply to everyday life, and ABA can be effective in many settings, including typical classrooms, work environments, and at home.
For more information, please contact VIA at 434-923-8252 or information@viaschool.org
