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What is ABA Therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a type of therapy that encourages helpful behaviors and discourages unhelpful behaviors using rewards. Over time this focused positive reinforcement improves a variety of skills. The targeted skills and rewards are determined based on the client's individual needs and interests. Progress is tracked and measured to inform future goal setting and reward selection
How Does ABA Work?
ABA therapy is tailored to the needs and abilities of the client. No time is wasted on skills the client has already mastered. After an initial assessment involving interviews with the family, observations of the client, and reviews of medical history, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will map out a plan including goals for target behaviors and sessions lengths. Session lengths and frequencies can vary based on the goals of treatment and age of client.
A Behavior Technician (BT) will then lead the client through discrete trials. In each discrete trial, the BT will ask for a specific behavior such as smoothly transitioning from one task to another, putting dishes in the appropriate location, following a routine when brushing teeth, or practicing social interactions. If the client completes the behavior, a predetermined reward is given. The reward may be social (like a high five), a preferred activity (like a certain length of play time), or tangible (like a food treat). The reward should fit the client's preferences so that it is meaningful and pleasant. If the client does not complete the behavior, the trial is repeated. After sufficient practice, the therapist will conduct the discrete trials in real world settings. As the client progresses, different behaviors may be targeted.
Data about progress is reviewed throughout the process to determine if methods and rewards are being successful or if new ones should be used. There is a scaling down of services as the therapy reaches its end to provide a gradual transition to independence.
A Behavior Technician (BT) will then lead the client through discrete trials. In each discrete trial, the BT will ask for a specific behavior such as smoothly transitioning from one task to another, putting dishes in the appropriate location, following a routine when brushing teeth, or practicing social interactions. If the client completes the behavior, a predetermined reward is given. The reward may be social (like a high five), a preferred activity (like a certain length of play time), or tangible (like a food treat). The reward should fit the client's preferences so that it is meaningful and pleasant. If the client does not complete the behavior, the trial is repeated. After sufficient practice, the therapist will conduct the discrete trials in real world settings. As the client progresses, different behaviors may be targeted.
Data about progress is reviewed throughout the process to determine if methods and rewards are being successful or if new ones should be used. There is a scaling down of services as the therapy reaches its end to provide a gradual transition to independence.
ABA Client Dignity
High quality ABA therapy seeks to be receptive of the client's wishes when determining goals. The tasks used for trials should be meaningful and beneficial to the client as they seek to improve skills needed for independence............................
ABA therapy is most frequently used with children, though it can also be used with teenagers and even adults.................(connect to treating all individuals with dignity)
ABA therapy is most frequently used with children, though it can also be used with teenagers and even adults.................(connect to treating all individuals with dignity)
How BTs are Trained at Partners in Autism
Typical behavior technician training
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Different types of ABA
Different clients have different needs, abilities, and dispositions. There are different types of ABA to suite these differences.
These are some of the most common types:
These are some of the most common types:
- Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
DTT is a style of teaching that uses a series of trials to teach each step of a desired behavior or response. Lessons are broken down into their simplest parts and positive reinforcement is used to reward correct answers and behaviors. Incorrect answers are ignored. - Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI)
This is a type of ABA for very young children with an ASD, usually younger than five, and often younger than three. - Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
PRT aims to increase a child’s motivation to learn, monitor his own behavior, and initiate communication with others. Positive changes in these behaviors should have widespread effects on other behaviors. - Verbal Behavior Intervention (VBI)
VBI is a type of ABA that focuses on teaching verbal skills.
More from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board...
Behavior analysis is the science of behavior, with a history extending back to the early 20th century. Its underlying philosophy is behaviorism, which is based upon the premise that attempting to improve the human condition through behavior change (e.g., education, behavioral health treatment) will be most effective if behavior itself is the primary focus, rather than less tangible concepts such as the mind and willpower. To date, basic behavior-analytic scientists have conducted thousands of studies to identify the laws of behavior; that is, the predictable ways in which behavior is learned and how it changes over time. The underlying theme of much of this work has been that behavior is a product of its circumstances, particularly the events that immediately follow the behavior. Applied behavior analysts have been using this information to develop numerous techniques and treatment approaches for analyzing and changing behavior, and ultimately, to improve lives. Because this approach is largely based on behavior and its consequences, the techniques generally involve teaching individuals more effective ways of behaving and making changes to social consequences of existing behavior.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) has been empirically shown to be effective in a wide variety of areas, including parent training, substance abuse treatment, dementia management, brain injury rehabilitation, occupational safety intervention, among others. However, because ABA was first applied to the treatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, this practice area has the largest evidence base and has received the most recognition.
For more info, check out https://www.bacb.com/about-behavior-analysis/
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) has been empirically shown to be effective in a wide variety of areas, including parent training, substance abuse treatment, dementia management, brain injury rehabilitation, occupational safety intervention, among others. However, because ABA was first applied to the treatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, this practice area has the largest evidence base and has received the most recognition.
For more info, check out https://www.bacb.com/about-behavior-analysis/
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