What is ABA?

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a collection of therapy strategies that are grounded in the science of human behavior. We look at the variables surrounding specific behaviors and modify the environment to produce change in a way that is structured, positive, and effective. Behavior analytic teaching procedures are data-driven, meaning we analyze results on an ongoing basis to maximize progress. ABA is applicable to all human behavior: we continue to exhibit behaviors that result in a preferable consequence, and we cease engaging in behaviors that result in an undesired consequence. You sip your coffee because it tastes good, you use an umbrella to prevent you from getting wet, you go to work in order to receive a paycheck, or you study for a test to avoid receiving an ‘F’. These are only a few examples of the ways in which our environment contributes to our behaviors. When we can identify what causes and consequences are contributing to the occurrence of a specific behavior, we can change those variables to change the behavior. This approach is especially meaningful for children, as we have a good deal of control over changing variables in their environment.

• Telling the child what to do instead of what not to do: e.g. “Walk” instead of “Don’t run.”

• Requiring a child to eat all of his vegetables before earning access to dessert.

• Seating a distractible child away from the toy shelf and closest to the teacher.

• Requiring your child to look at you while giving a direction—giving clear directions and expectations.

• Enthusiastically praising the child for what he or she did right.

• Refraining from giving a tantrumming child a desired item.

• Setting up a picture schedule of all chores for the week, with a picture of a reward to be earned for completing all chores.

• Requiring a child to communicate his or her want appropriately before giving the item.

• Pairing cleaning up with dancing and music, or making it a clean-up race.

• Providing support when learning a new skill, then fading the support as the child is successful.

• Teaching the child rules and connections between their own behavior and the consequences.

• Teaching a child to ask for help to reduce frustration.

• Implementing a bathroom schedule for potty training, where the child sits every 30 minutes and earns a special reward for peeing in the toilet.

• Saying “Look at you being so brave!” to a child for getting closer and closer to doing something they’re afraid of or uncomfortable with.

• Delivering consistent consequences for behavior.