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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) |
WHAT IS ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a science that attempts to improve individual
and social conditions. Therapists who use ABA look at behavior and the
environment in a way that is objective, systematic, and measurable. Put another
way, ABA is used to understand, explain, and predict behavior. In the case of
using ABA to treat children with autism, therapists address behavioral excesses
(i.e., tantrums, hitting others) and deficits (i.e., communication delays, lack of play
skills) by manipulating, or changing the environment systematically so that
wanted behaviors are taught and reinforced. Skills are taught in small,
measurable steps, using the scientific principles that govern behavior, originally
studied and proposed by B.F. Skinner.
B.F. Skinner performed experiments with lab animals showing that food rewards
could result in behavior change. Because ABA is based upon this research,
people often have the misconception that ABA is a cold, rigid, forceful approach
that results in children behaving like laboratory animals. However, this view of
ABA is not accurate. ABA involves the breakdown of all skills into small, separate
tasks, taught in a manner that helps children learn how to learn. It is a method of
teaching, using positive strategies, not negative or punitive, that enables children
to process what is being taught to them. These positive strategies are tailored to
fit each child’s specific strengths and weaknesses.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a science that attempts to improve individual
and social conditions. Therapists who use ABA look at behavior and the
environment in a way that is objective, systematic, and measurable. Put another
way, ABA is used to understand, explain, and predict behavior. In the case of
using ABA to treat children with autism, therapists address behavioral excesses
(i.e., tantrums, hitting others) and deficits (i.e., communication delays, lack of play
skills) by manipulating, or changing the environment systematically so that
wanted behaviors are taught and reinforced. Skills are taught in small,
measurable steps, using the scientific principles that govern behavior, originally
studied and proposed by B.F. Skinner.
B.F. Skinner performed experiments with lab animals showing that food rewards
could result in behavior change. Because ABA is based upon this research,
people often have the misconception that ABA is a cold, rigid, forceful approach
that results in children behaving like laboratory animals. However, this view of
ABA is not accurate. ABA involves the breakdown of all skills into small, separate
tasks, taught in a manner that helps children learn how to learn. It is a method of
teaching, using positive strategies, not negative or punitive, that enables children
to process what is being taught to them. These positive strategies are tailored to
fit each child’s specific strengths and weaknesses.
• HOW IS ABA USED TO TEACH CHILDREN WITH AUTISM?
The goal of ABA is to teach children with autism how to learn. Most of us learned
basic language, play, and social skills through the conditions of the natural
environment. These skills serve as a basis for learning more complex behaviors
such as enthusiasm, interest, curiosity, and self-discipline. Children with autism
typically require a very structured environment in order to learn these complex
skills. Therapists who use the ABA method teach skills in small, measurable
steps, so that the child is not overwhelmed. All ABA programs are individualized
to fit each child’s needs. Eventually, the goal is for the child with autism to learn in
the natural environment.
There is a wide body of scientific research showing that ABA has been effectively
used to teach a vast range of skills (e.g., functional communication, social
interaction, self-help and play, just to mention a few) to individuals with Autism
and other challenges. These skills have been taught in a wide variety of settings
(e.g., homes, school classrooms, and public settings such as malls, parks,
restaurants, and libraries) and with the involvement of individuals other than just
the therapist (e.g., parents, siblings, peers, teachers, and grandparents.)
• WHERE CAN I ACCESS SOME OF THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
ON AUTISM AND ABA?
ABA and its applications have evolved through countless research projects that
are scientifically-based and time-tested. In fact, ABA has been proven through
extensive research over the past half-century, such as that of the New York
Department of Health (1999) and the U.S. Surgeon General (1999), to be the most
effective intervention we have for treating people with autism or pervasive
developmental disabilities.
Research using the principles of ABA with children with autism began in the early
1960’s with the studies of C.B. Fester, O. Ivar Lovaas, and Todd Risely and
Montrose Wolf, just to name some of the best known pioneers.
For more research information, please click here.
The goal of ABA is to teach children with autism how to learn. Most of us learned
basic language, play, and social skills through the conditions of the natural
environment. These skills serve as a basis for learning more complex behaviors
such as enthusiasm, interest, curiosity, and self-discipline. Children with autism
typically require a very structured environment in order to learn these complex
skills. Therapists who use the ABA method teach skills in small, measurable
steps, so that the child is not overwhelmed. All ABA programs are individualized
to fit each child’s needs. Eventually, the goal is for the child with autism to learn in
the natural environment.
There is a wide body of scientific research showing that ABA has been effectively
used to teach a vast range of skills (e.g., functional communication, social
interaction, self-help and play, just to mention a few) to individuals with Autism
and other challenges. These skills have been taught in a wide variety of settings
(e.g., homes, school classrooms, and public settings such as malls, parks,
restaurants, and libraries) and with the involvement of individuals other than just
the therapist (e.g., parents, siblings, peers, teachers, and grandparents.)
• WHERE CAN I ACCESS SOME OF THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
ON AUTISM AND ABA?
ABA and its applications have evolved through countless research projects that
are scientifically-based and time-tested. In fact, ABA has been proven through
extensive research over the past half-century, such as that of the New York
Department of Health (1999) and the U.S. Surgeon General (1999), to be the most
effective intervention we have for treating people with autism or pervasive
developmental disabilities.
Research using the principles of ABA with children with autism began in the early
1960’s with the studies of C.B. Fester, O. Ivar Lovaas, and Todd Risely and
Montrose Wolf, just to name some of the best known pioneers.
For more research information, please click here.
• SO IS ABA A CURE FOR AUTISM?
Unfortunately, no. Research has demonstrated that there is no cure for autism,
either psychological or medical. The most effective treatment involves early
intervention programs that incorporate applied behavior analysis techniques.
There is a wealth of information available about other interventions, but few, if
any, are scientifically supported. One thing that may be helpful for families who
have children with autism is to seek counseling. This may assist in developing
coping skills and a support system for the family.
• HOW CAN I FIND AN EFFECTIVE ABA PROGRAM FOR MY
CHILD?
Finding an effective ABA program for your child can seem like an overwhelming
mission. How do you know where to begin? A good place to start looking for
programs that can service your child is by contacting your local Regional Center.
The following link provides a list of all the Regional Centers in California:
http://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/rclist.cfm
Your local Regional Center will be able to provide you with a list of approved
“vendors,” e.g., agencies that are contracted with the Regional Center to provide
ABA services, in your area. These agencies have been pre-qualified by the
Regional Center to have the necessary qualifications to provide ABA services, but
this is not a guarantee that a particular agency would be a good match for your
child and family. It is important that you be prepared to interview potential service
providers to determine if they would fulfill your individual needs. Some questions
that you may want to ask are…
While doing internet research to provide additional information for this website,
we came across a wonderful website created by a father of a child diagnosed with
autism. It is clear that this parent spent countless hours compiling a wealth of
information for other parents sharing the experience of having a child with a
developmental disability. We could not have done a better job if we tried, so for
further information regarding how to pursue finding an ABA program for your
child (as well as an array of other resources), we would like to direct you to the
website ‘ABA Resources’ at the following web address: http://rsaffran.tripod.
com/aba.html .
Unfortunately, no. Research has demonstrated that there is no cure for autism,
either psychological or medical. The most effective treatment involves early
intervention programs that incorporate applied behavior analysis techniques.
There is a wealth of information available about other interventions, but few, if
any, are scientifically supported. One thing that may be helpful for families who
have children with autism is to seek counseling. This may assist in developing
coping skills and a support system for the family.
• HOW CAN I FIND AN EFFECTIVE ABA PROGRAM FOR MY
CHILD?
Finding an effective ABA program for your child can seem like an overwhelming
mission. How do you know where to begin? A good place to start looking for
programs that can service your child is by contacting your local Regional Center.
The following link provides a list of all the Regional Centers in California:
http://www.dds.ca.gov/rc/rclist.cfm
Your local Regional Center will be able to provide you with a list of approved
“vendors,” e.g., agencies that are contracted with the Regional Center to provide
ABA services, in your area. These agencies have been pre-qualified by the
Regional Center to have the necessary qualifications to provide ABA services, but
this is not a guarantee that a particular agency would be a good match for your
child and family. It is important that you be prepared to interview potential service
providers to determine if they would fulfill your individual needs. Some questions
that you may want to ask are…
- What are the director’s qualifications and level of education?
- What are the qualifications, training, and level of education of the
consultants who will be providing direct services to your child? - What is the agency’s philosophy?
- How will your child’s challenging behaviors be handled?
- What is the level of parent-involvement in the program?
- How are parents’ concerns addressed?
- What are the days and hours during which services may be provided?
- Is the agency willing to collaborate with school and other service providers
(i.e., speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc.)? - Can the agency provide references from other families that have been
serviced? If so, ask those families if their child made progress and in what
areas of development. Also, ask whether the agency’s staff was
professional, respectful, courteous, reliable, open to parent input,
enthusiastic, and caring with their child.
While doing internet research to provide additional information for this website,
we came across a wonderful website created by a father of a child diagnosed with
autism. It is clear that this parent spent countless hours compiling a wealth of
information for other parents sharing the experience of having a child with a
developmental disability. We could not have done a better job if we tried, so for
further information regarding how to pursue finding an ABA program for your
child (as well as an array of other resources), we would like to direct you to the
website ‘ABA Resources’ at the following web address: http://rsaffran.tripod.
com/aba.html .