Applied Behavior Analysis ( ABA )
ABA approaches behaviors as skills we learn to achieve specific results ( whether or not you are aware of learning them ). As practitioners of ABA , we believe behavior change is possible no matter who you are , what you do , or the levels of support you require .
ABA does not diagnose nor is the goal of any ABA application to change the individuality of a learner . As a descriptive and quantitative science , ABA observes , describes , and uses data to quantify effects .
That data , combined with the individual characteristics , cultural values , and goals of the learner , allows for the development of comprehensive , individualized learning goals and strategies . As a scientific approach to behavior , ABA implements established practices to facilitate the teaching and learning of new skills .
Practitioners of ABA , called behavior analysts , aim to teach behaviors of importance and value to the learner . The job of a behavior analyst centers around understanding the interrelated factors that influence how one behaves and using that information to build skills .
Behavior analysts may focus on increasing selfhelp , academic , social , emotional , or other skills of independent living ( Wong et al , 2014 ; 2015 ). They may also work with the learner to decrease behaviors that interfere with his / her day-to-day functioning or access ( National Autism Center [ NAC ], 2015 ).
� New
ABA is NOT
� Methods to suppress individuality
� Easy , a quick fix , or a miracle cure
� Another fad treatment
� Merely discrete trial teaching
� Bribery
� The discovery or invention of one person
� Anti-inclusion
� A treatment that turns people into robots
� Developmentally inappropriate
� Inhumane
� Only for preschoolers with autism
� Only for teaching simple instructions
ABA is
� A science
� Systematic and quantitative
� Focused on positive reinforcement and teaching new skills
� Individualized
� Focused on behaviors that are meaningful to an individual learner ( social significance )
� Applicable across environments
� Research and evidence-based
� Used across multiple skill domains
� Applied across different fields
Many misconceptions about ABA exist ( see Table 1 ). The most common of these misconceptions asserts that ABA wants to change people with autism to make them “ normal ” or remove their individuality .
The origins of ABA did focus on reducing any behaviors deemed as atypical . Thankfully , ABA has evolved considerably over the past 50 years .
One of the core components of the behavior analyst ethical code is to uphold the dignity , individuality , and values of the individuals with which they work . This means embracing neurodiversity , promoting the rights and acceptance of all neurodivergent individuals , and increasing cultural competency and understanding in all areas of practice .
A behavior analyst often gets called upon to focus on behaviors viewed as challenging for the context or dangerous for the learner or others . Interfering behaviors can impact the ability of a learner to learn new skills or participate in the community , and can even be dangerous to the learner ’ s health . On an emotional level , these behaviors can trigger frustration , helplessness , fear , and in some cases , cause harm .
Cases like these call for a professional who studies human behavior . Through academic training , supervision , continuing education , and experience , behavior analysts have a specific set of tools and