Applied Behavior Analysis ( ABA )
What Does ABA Contribute to the Autism Community ?
By Rachel Schwartz , PhD , BCBA-D and Nana Uchida
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 it as :
“ The science in which procedures derived from the principles of behavior are systematically applied to improve socially significant behavior to a meaningful degree …” ( Cooper , Heron , & Heward , 1987 )
If that feels too academic , clinical , or just plain confusing , let ’ s use an example . Your alarm clock goes off , you turn it off , and stand up . You walk into the kitchen , see your kettle , and turn on the water to start preparing your morning coffee .
Waking up , crawling out of bed , turning on the faucet — each of these actions encompasses a behavior ( or series of behaviors ). We exist by engaging in a progression of actions and responses . Why you behave the way you do isn ’ t random ; you learned to behave in a specific way to get your wants and needs met and avoid things you dislike .