What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
Applied behavior analysis is a type of interpersonal therapy in which a child works with a practitioner one-on-one. The goal of applied behavior analysis is to improve social skills by using interventions that are based on principles of learning theory.
​
If you have a child who has been diagnosed with a spectrum disorder like autism, your pediatrician may have suggested a therapy called applied behavior analysis. Sometimes called ABA therapy, it’s designed to help children on the spectrum develop social and emotional skills.
​
ABA Therapy Helps Individuals on the Autism Spectrum by
-
Increasing their social abilities like completing tasks, communicating, and learning new skills
-
Implementing maintenance behaviors like self-control and self-regulation
-
Teaching them to transfer learned behaviors to new environments
-
Social Abilities
-
Skills for day-today living
-
Intellectual abilities
-
Language Development
How Does ABA Impact?
Applied behavior analysis helps individuals on the autism spectrum to adapt to social scenarios they may not understand.
What is Positive Reinforcement?
When a child in ABA therapy completes a task correctly or reaches a goal behavior, there is a reward. Studies show that when a person receives something of personal value following a behavior, they are more likely to repeat the behavior. Over time, applied behavior analysis helps to instill those desired behaviors in your child.
Behavior and Consequence
Just as good behaviors are rewarded, negative behaviors are discouraged. Applied behavior analysis helps your child make the connection between what happens before and after a behavior.
​
Negative behaviors are often met by the teacher not responding to your child’s negative behavior. Until your child stops or indicates a willingness to cooperate with the command, there is no reward.
What is the Goal of ABA?
The goal of applied behavior analysis is for the desired behaviors to follow your child into the real world. With a better understanding of social dos and don’ts, your child is better prepared for social situations at school, at events, and with family. To help the individual make connections between what is socially acceptable and what isn't.
​
When your child first begins ABA therapy, the practitioner sets benchmarks for behavior. They will talk to you about what you want out of therapy for your child and establish a treatment plan. Over time, as your child progresses or regresses, new goals are set.
Broad Application
Applied Behavior Analysis is designed to help with many concerns, including:
-
Autism Spectrum Disorder
-
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
-
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
-
Fear and Phobias
-
Issues with Anger Management
-
Severe Anxiety
-
Depression
Types of Care
Home and Clinic Based Treatment
Home and Clinic Based Treatment
ABA is a well-developed scientific discipline among the helping professions that focuses on the analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of social and other environmental modifications to produce meaningful changes in human behavior. ABA includes the use of direct observation, measurement, and functional analysis of the relations between environment and behavior. ABA uses changes in environmental events, including antecedent stimuli and consequences to produce practical and significant changes in behavior” (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2014).
Comprehensive Applied Behavior Analysis
Comprehensive ABA Treatment is a specific service model referring to the treatment of several affected developmental domains. These domains include developmental skills related to social skills, adaptive functioning, communication as well as behavior. Through this service model, maladaptive behaviors, as well as skill acquisition programs, are targeted.
Focused Applied Behavior Analysis
Focused ABA is a specific service model referring to treatment involving maladaptive behavior reduction while teaching appropriate, alternative behavior(s). Focused ABA Treatment is ideal for individuals that require support with essential functional skills or acute problem behavior.
Early Childhood Autism Specialized Habilitation (ECA)
The ECA program is an intensive, comprehensive treatment model that targets a variety of interventions for the enrolled developmentally disabled member. This program focuses on developmental skills, behavioral intervention, and/or sensorimotor development. Sweetwater Care clinical staff will conduct an assessment of the member’s challenging behavior or areas of skill deficit, develop a treatment program, model implementation of the intervention plan, coach and train the family members/caregivers and service providers in the implementation and usage of the treatment program, review data with the team and provide follow-up consultation as well as ongoing oversight to ensure proper implementation of the treatment program.
Does The Division of Developmental Disabilities Offer These Services?
Early Childhood Autism Specialized Habilitation may be authorized for DDD members who have been diagnosed with or are at risk of diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), until the time of entry into the first grade. This is a bundled service consisting of two parts:
-
A combination of oversight; Habilitation Masters (ECM) and Habilitation Bachelors (ECB)
-
Hourly Habilitation (ECH).