The ABCs of ABA: What to Look for in an ABA Program

Applied Behavior Analysis is known to be an exact science that uses proven techniques and principles to be effective, but this does not mean that all ABA programs will be identical or created equal. There are a wide range of services and methods of delivering those services that range from clinic to clinic and practitioner to practitioner. Parents should identify some key components of an effective behavior change program and educate themselves as to the techniques and methods most commonly used in ABA therapy.

Components of a Good ABA Program

1. Your program should be designed and overseen by a qualified professional. Typically, the professional overseeing the behavior change program will have earned a certificate that identifies them as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This certification, though not required, indicates that the practitioner has completed a quality standard of education and training.
2. Your program should be individually designed and begin with detailed assessment. One of the hallmarks of ABA therapy that sets it apart from other treatments is that each client is treated for their specific needs based on an extensive assessment to identify the behavior changes that need to be made.
3. Your program should have meaningful and precisely defined goals. The individualized program created for your child should contain goals that will make a positive impact on your child and your family and they should be goals that you agree are meaningful. Additionally, any behavior goals should be clearly defined, so that they can be measured objectively and changes can be tracked.
4. Your program should have consistent measurement to track progress. Data should be collected each and every time your child is in a session. That data will be used by the behavior analyst to track progress and make changes to the program, if needed. This data should be available for review by the parents at regular intervals, so that they can be aware of progress and make requests for program changes.
5. Your program should be consistent. Therapy should be offered on a regular basis to ensure consistent improvement. Parents should also expect that techniques will be applied consistently each time their child is in the clinic and across practitioners.
6. Your program should use a variety of techniques and offer multiple opportunities for learning. ABA offers a standard set of principles in which many different techniques can be applied for learning. Parents should expect that practitioners will use many different techniques and that each session will include creative and carefully planned programs that will give your child the best chance at maximal learning.

Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA therapy is something that parents often hear for the first time when they begin the diagnosis process for autism. There are many misunderstandings and questions surrounding ABA, particularly for parents who have just received a diagnosis and are searching for the best possible therapy for their child. We’re here to help you understand the basics components, philosophy and most importantly, the benefits, of ABA therapy.

What is ABA?

ABA therapy applies our understanding of how behavior works  in real-life situations. The goal is to increase behaviors that are helpful and decrease behaviors that are harmful or affect learning.

In simplest terms, ABA uses proven techniques to work with your child on changing or modifying behaviors that are important to you. These techniques are used in a way that is logical and objective, so we can be sure we are doing a good job.

One of the things that sets ABA therapy apart from many of the other therapy options out there is that it’s scientifically driven. Therapists use data collection to evaluate and then create a customized treatment plan for your child that includes measurable goals. Data is then collected during every session to measure progress. Treatment plans are regulated updated, based on this data collection.

ABA therapy programs can help with a wide variety of things, including:

• Language and communication skills
• Attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics
• Decreasing problem behaviors

How does ABA therapy work?

Applied Behavior Analysis involves many techniques for understanding and changing behavior. ABA is a flexible treatment that can:

• Be adapted to meet the needs of each unique person
• Provided in many different locations – at home, in a clinic setting, and in the community
• Teaches skills that are useful in everyday life
• Can involve one-to-one teaching or group instruction

The ABA philosophy

Positive reinforcement is one of the main strategies used in ABA.

When a behavior is followed by something that is valued (a reward), a person is more likely to repeat that behavior. Over time, this encourages positive behavior change.

First, the therapist identifies a goal behavior. Each time the person uses the behavior or skill successfully, they get a reward. The reward is meaningful to the individual – examples include praise, a toy or book, watching a video, access to playground or other location, and more.

Positive rewards encourage the person to continue using the skill. Over time this leads to meaningful behavior change.

While this is the therapy that’s considered the “gold standard” for children with autism, it’s proven to be effective with children with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder or other behavioral challenges.

And, when you consider that the basic principle of ABA is rewarding good behaviors to extinguish bad behaviors, it’s a concept that can be applied to any child, neurotypical or not.