WHAT IS ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the application of the science of behavior used to improve lives through behavior change. The science of behavior focuses on how people learn and why they do (or don’t do) certain things. By understanding why behavior occurs, we can figure out how to help people make positive changes in their lives. ABA is built on a large body of research that describes how behaviors can be learned or changed over time.

Many individuals on the autism spectrum need support with learning specific skills or new behaviors that are positive and functional, to replace challenging behaviors such as tantrums or aggression. ABA therapy can be very effective with teaching skills in these common areas:

·         Social interaction

·         Play skills

·         Functional communication

·         Leisure activities

·         Self-help and adaptive skills

·         Gross & fine motor play

·         Daily living activities

  • “A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.”

    -B.F. Skinner

How can I benefit from ABA?

When ABA is used to help children on the autism spectrum, the goal is to teach them new skills that will make a significant, positive impact on their development. ABA can also help children reduce behaviors that interfere with living a valued, meaningful life.

ABA treatment focuses on identifying why a person engages in a particular behavior and then seeks to create environments that support effective, lasting change for the better. When new, helpful behaviors bring about good results, old, unhelpful behaviors begin to decrease.

Applied Behavior Analysis helps explain:

·         Why certain behaviors do or do not occur

·         How behavior is affected by the environment

·         How to create a treatment plan that supports lasting change