A Beginner’s Guide to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy

What is ABA Therapy and How Does it Work?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an evidence-based treatment approach that focuses on improving specific behaviors such as social, communication, academic, and adaptive living skills.

The goal of ABA is to increase positive behaviors and decrease negative behaviors by analyzing the relationship between a person’s behaviors and their environment. ABA therapists break down desired skills into small, achievable steps and use reinforcement and repetition to shape behaviors.

Key Principles of Effective ABA Therapy

There are three core principles of ABA therapy:

• Positive Reinforcement – Reinforcing positive behaviors with rewards to increase the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. This can include praise, access to preferred items/activities, tokens, etc.
• Understanding Behavior – Carefully observing and analyzing behaviors to understand why they are happening. This allows the therapist to develop treatments tailored to the reason behind the behavior.
• Teaching New Skills – Breaking down skills into small, manageable steps and teaching them using prompts, modeling, repetition, and positive reinforcement. A heavy emphasis is placed on generalizing learned skills across multiple settings.

Types of ABA Therapy Approaches

Popular ABA therapy approaches include:

• Discrete Trial Training – Teacher-directed approach useful for teaching routines, concepts, skills. Uses repetition and positive reinforcement.
• Pivotal Response Training – More naturalistic approach that targets motivation, responding to cues, and initiating communication. Used to teach language, play, and social skills.
• Natural Environment Training – Embedding ABA principles into a child’s day-to-day routines and activities to teach real-world skills. Conducted in home/school/community settings.

Who Can Benefit from ABA Therapy?

While ABA therapy has strong research support for improving behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders, it can benefit anyone struggling with challenging behaviors or skill deficits, including those with ADHD, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, and more.

The individualized nature of ABA therapy allows treatment plans to be tailored to meet each person’s unique needs. Early intervention is key for optimal outcomes.