Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an approach used to understand and change behaviors. It is well-known for its success in working with autistic children, but ABA therapy for adults is equally valuable.  It can help them develop social skills, manage daily routines, and learn vocational skills. By breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps,

Teaching a child with autism complex skills, like using a full sentence, can sound impossible for some families. However, the magic of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can transform that into a reality. ABA is a well-established therapeutic approach used to improve desired behaviors and skills through systematic interventions that can benefit children with autism.  Among

Imagine having the power to transform behaviors just like molding clay. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) offers just that—a scientific approach to understanding how behavior is affected by the environment. It focuses on using empirical techniques to improve socially significant behaviors. Extinction is a fundamental concept in ABA that plays a crucial role in behavior modification.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) may not be for everyone. As someone who was diagnosed with autism at 3.5 years old, my parents could tell I was the type of person who wanted to achieve speech and other typical milestones. They quickly realized that it would’ve been hard without some form of early intervention. My mother

Imagine hearing there is a huge waitlist for your child to be enrolled at an ABA center?  As a parent, you feel defeated and helpless. This article is going to cover ABA therapy activities that parents can easily do at home to help their child with autism. Today, ABA therapy is one of the most

There is a heated debate within the autism community about Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, its benefits versus negative effects with some people questioning, “Is ABA therapy harmful?” To start, it is important to know what ABA therapy is and what it looks like. ABA therapy helps people understand the behaviors associated with the autistic

Antecedent based interventions are used to figure out what the autistic person is trying to communicate through their behaviors.

There are many different views and opinions about reinforcement strategies, negative punishment, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and how they work together in applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to improve behavior. Many parents, caregivers, and educators are unsure of what reinforcement strategies and negative punishment are and how they might benefit the person with autism.

There are seven dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis; conceptually systematic may be one that needs a little more explanation… Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a controversial and unfortunately divisive topic in the autism treatment sphere. From parents who believe the behavioral techniques have helped their kids on the spectrum thrive, to autistic adults who feel

Naturalistic teaching is a branch of applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy that takes on a more natural approach than the more commonly known discrete trial training. In this article we will discuss what naturalistic teaching is, the different naturalistic procedures and if it supports children with autism.  What is naturalistic teaching? In the early days,

An ABA therapist answers parents’ most pressing questions about ABA therapy. Q. How is a child’s progress measured/monitored in ABA? A. Data collection is critical in ABA therapy, enabling therapists to access behaviors and develop goals and a treatment plan while consistently monitoring progress. A child’s progress is measured and monitored through constant data collection.

JC Ellinger speaks with an autism mom and a behavior therapy provider to offer readers an inside perspective into ABA therapy. “At three and a half my son was barely talking. His speech and social-emotional delays qualified him for developmental preschool with our local school district. E was hypersensitive to noises.  He stimmed a lot

Two academics analyze the nuts and bolts of ABA therapy in the autism community. Behavior analysis incorporates a field, philosophy, and science (Morris, Altus, & Smith, 2013). Experimental analysis of behavior is the science of behaviorism. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the application of that science to human behavior. The early practitioners of ABA described

Antecedent stimulus is a key concept in behavior management for children with autism. It helps caregivers and teachers identify what triggers a problem behavior and shape it toward a positive or negative outcome. An antecedent is something that occurs before a behavior, often acting as a trigger. It can be a person, event, or environmental

Reinforcement is often used to encourage the desired behavior in children on the autism spectrum. Different types are used in different situations, but what is noncontingent reinforcement, and how can it help your child on the spectrum? Noncontingent reinforcement, also known as NCR, means getting a reward without doing something specific. Research supports the claim

Have you ever wondered what life is like for a Behavior Technician? Read on to find out.  Getting to work hands-on in the local autism community as a behavior technician is a rewarding experience for me while working towards finishing my Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Child and Family Services. It

Verbal operants break down language into different elements that help us communicate in our everyday lives. The term itself may sound strange, but if you look closer, you’ll realize we use verbal operants daily without realizing it. Verbal operants can be especially beneficial for autistic children who experience a variety of language and communication difficulties.

Trigger analysis in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) provides a way for negative or challenging behaviors to be identified and observed.  Trigger analysis can be used by parents with a child, by teachers with a student, or by anyone who wants to monitor challenging behaviors with the goal of intervention to help an individual alter his/her

If you’ve heard of ABA, or applied behavioral analysis therapy, then you might have heard of the concept “antecedent interventions”. But what does it mean? Well, the aim of ABA therapy itself is to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder learn to communicate better, increase self and situational awareness, improve self regulation, and alter atypical

If you’re parenting a child with autism, you may have come across the term “discriminative stimulus.” It’s often used with behavior therapy or techniques at home – but what does it really mean, and how can this method be applied? This article offers an overview of discriminative stimulus and outlines some examples of how it

6-year-old Ben was playing with his favorite dinosaur toy when his mom tried to take it away. She was sure he would be unhappy about it, but suddenly, an idea popped into her head – what if she used his love for this toy to refine his skills? This is called incidental teaching. In the

Where can I find ABA therapy near me for my child with autism? If you’re a parent of a child with autism who is demonstrating challenging behavior, or who is in need of some support, you might be considering ABA Therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy). Many experts believe early intervention is important for helping children

Getting your child to develop good habits like making their bed and brushing their teeth can be a bit tricky. Instead of constantly reminding or resorting to punishments, you might want to try a method called differential reinforcement, one of the most popular techniques used in ABA. This approach means rewarding the behaviors you want

If you’re navigating the world of autism with a child, you’re likely familiar with ABA Therapy. One common question that arises is whether it’s possible to conduct ABA therapy at home. The good news is, yes, it can. ABA, rooted in Operant Conditioning, emphasizes Positive and Negative Reinforcement. Understanding Operant Conditioning makes ABA accessible even

If you’re the parent of a child who has recently been diagnosed with autism, ensuring he/she receives the best support is likely to be at the top of your agenda. ABA therapy, otherwise known as Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, monitors behavioral changes to identify whether a child’s social development and communication skills are progressing while

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been shown to be effective in the treatment and care of children with autism and their disruptive behaviors. While it’s typically facilitated by therapists, parents often play an active role in the strategies presented. Fortunately, there are many programs and online courses that provide ABA training for parents.  Certification allows

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a type of therapy utilized for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There are controversial thoughts surrounding this type of therapy, but it has been researched as an evidence-based practice by The American Psychological Association and various studies. There are many forms of therapy that offer more holistic approaches and

As an autism parent, you’ve probably heard of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). It’s the most commonly used therapy for children on the spectrum. If you’re confused about this approach – don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many autism parents wonder what the basic ABA principles are. Applied behavior analysis has seven dimensions supported by scientific-based research

When school is out for summer, many parents appreciate that their children’s days are no longer consumed with reading, writing, and arithmetic. But for children on the autism spectrum, the changes to their daily routines and structures brought on by summer vacation often present challenges and sometimes even setbacks. Families should certainly take some much-needed