Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) involves the application of the principles of learning and behavior to teach desireable skills across all domains, as well as teaching and training appropriate pro-social behavior to replace any inappropriate or undesirable behaviors a person may have.  These principles will help a person with autism develop the skills necessary to function effectively in their daily lives.  ABA involves highly structured, skill-oriented activities that are based on the patient's needs and interests.  At times, ABA involves one-on-one training with a therapist, but also involves structured play activities, as well as group teaching.

Behavioral treatments are sometimes referred to as Applied Behavioral Analysis, Lovaas, Discrete Trial Teaching, and Intensive Behavioral Interventions.  Though you may hear these terms, they are not synonymous with Applied Behavior Analysis.  A comprehensive ABA program for a person with autism will incorporate some Discrete Trial Teaching, as well as other behavioral methods, such as incidental teaching, structured play, and so on.  However, ABA is not exclusively for persons with autism, it is also successful for those with other neuro-developmental disabilities, ADHD, and social/emotional disorders. 

To start, an individual is typically assessed by a Behavior Analyst to identify any behavioral excesses or deficits (what are they doing too much of, what are they not doing or doing too little of). Once the individual's skill base is identified, a Behavior Analyst then identifies why these behaviors are not occurring, or occurring too often, by doing a functional assessment or functional analysis. Treatment would be determined based on the results.

If an individual is not exhibiting behavior that is desired because s/he is lacking the skill, treatment could include different techniques including Discrete Trial Therapy, shaping, chaining, and Incidental Teaching. These trainings can occur with a combination of other specialties and fields, such as Occupational Therapy or Speech Therapy. On the other hand, if an individual is not exhibiting a behavior due to a performance deficit, then treatment would include motivation through a reinforcement procedure.  When an individual exhibits behavioral excesses, the most common method to identify why these behaviors are occurring is through a functional assessment or analysis.

A variety of organizations including the National Institute of Mental Health, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and Autism Speaks have concluded that Applied Behavior Analysis is an effective treatment for autism.

If your loved one exhibits symptoms of autism or another neurodevelopmental disability, please contact your family care physician or the Center for Autism.