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What Is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy?

Published/updated March 25, 2024

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has become an increasingly popular method of treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as many other intellectual and developmental disabilities. At the J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center, we utilize ABA principles in many of our programs.

What exactly is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and how does it work?  

ABA is a science dedicated to understanding behavior and how it is affected by a person’s environment and stimuli. The key principles of ABA are: 

  • Reinforcement: Identifying consequences that increase desired behaviors. This can involve rewards like praise, treats, or preferred toys/activities when a client engages in a target behavior.
  • Shaping: Breaking down larger goals into small, achievable steps and reinforcing each incremental improvement towards the target behavior. For example, if the goal is using full sentences, we may first reinforce single words.
  • Generalization & Maintenance: Ensuring new skills transfer across environments, people, and materials. And that they are maintained long-term. Strategies involve varying conditions as skills are mastered.  
  • Data Collection: Precisely monitoring behaviors in order to assess progress and make data-driven decisions about which reinforcement strategies are working. This objective information is key to ABA programs.
     

How effective is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment?

A significant body of controlled research indicates ABA can produce meaningful improvements in functioning for many children with autism, though outcomes depend on several key factors. It is considered an empirically supported intervention by major health organizations when provided intensively and by qualified therapists.

Here are a few key points about the effectiveness of applied behavior analysis (ABA):

  • ABA has been extensively researched for over 50 years and is considered an evidence-based practice for treating autism spectrum disorder. Hundreds of studies have shown it can produce positive improvements in communication, social skills, behavior, play, and academics for children with ASD.
  • ABA uses principles of learning and motivation to bring about desired behavior changes. Techniques include breaking skills into small teachable steps, providing positive reinforcement for successes, analyzing antecedents and consequences to understand behavior, and individualizing teaching strategies.
  • Several comprehensive reviews and meta-analyses have concluded ABA is significantly effective for improving outcomes for children with ASD. For example, a 2015 review found ABA increased intelligence quotient scores and language skills compared to standard care.
  • ABA techniques have been successfully applied to address behaviors beyond ASD as well, including in schools, businesses, sports training, and more. ABA can be used to teach a wide range of skills or reduce problematic behaviors.

ABA effectiveness depends on factors like early intervention, intensity/duration of therapy, therapist training and supervision, and how broadly techniques are applied across settings. Outcomes are variable but tend to be better with higher-quality implementation.

What are Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)?

At the Trudeau Center, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) develop highly customized ABA treatment plans that are tailored to each client’s unique needs. BCBAs are masters-level specialists uniquely qualified to deliver and oversee ABA services for various populations in a responsible, ethical manner. Their certification denotes expertise in this evidence-based behavioral intervention.

BCBAs receive extensive training in ethics and professional conduct, the science behind ABA, behavior assessment, intervention and skill acquisition, program evaluation, and more. They can design comprehensive ABA programs for clients, oversee and train therapists providing services, consult with treatment teams, evaluate client progress, adapt programs as needed, and ensure therapy adheres to best practices.

How can I learn more about ABA therapy and how it is used at the Trudeau Center?

If you have any other questions about how ABA principles guide our therapeutic approach, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are happy to explain more about this effective treatment model we use to help our clients thrive!