What is applied behavior analysis (ABA)

Approach revealed andexplained

The ABA, or appliedbehavior analysis, is the approach that has the goal to embetter the significantbehavior by way of employing interventions rooted in the principles of learningtheory. These have also been evaluated and validated in numerous experiments by means of employing not only trustworthy, but also objective measurement. The mainpurpose of this approach and various techniques it is comprised of is to aidand provide vital additional support for the persons suffering from autismspectrum disorders.

Plus sides

The most importantbenefits it brings forth, in this regard, is to embetter behaviors such associal interaction, on- task behavior and alike, as well as teach andfacilitate the learning of novelty skills such as life essential, verbal orsocial skills, for example. Additionally, it is aimed at maintaining alreadyacquired behavior like self-control or self-monitoring procedures in order toensure the maintenance and generalization of social skills directly related tovarious jobs; facilitating behavior transfer from one situation/response toanother, such as assignment completion in the resource room to performance inthe real time classroom,; restriction/narrowing down of conditions that initiate the occurrence of interfering behaviors, such as alteration of theenvironment used for learning; and lastly to decrease the behavior-interferencerate.

Research and results

According to thenumber of research studies conducted with the aim of investigating the benefitsand the effect of this approach, the effectiveness in terms ofincreasing behaviors, as well as in teaching the person in question noveltyskills and abilities is confirmed. Furthermore, what these studies also reveal is thatapplied behavior analysis is extremely result yielding when it comes todecreasing problem behavior, as well as that, if this method is employed overlonger periods of time – more than 20h in the course of the week, and early onin the person’s life (before the age of 4), it can prove to be extremelyeffective when it comes to the development and reductions in the need forspecial services.

The approach inquestion is highly recommended due to the fact that it provides a quite helpfuland efficient intercession for a great majority of persons who suffer fromautism spectrum disorders. Important to mention is that the ABA ought to beoverseen and managed solely by a qualified behavior analyst, i.e. an expert inthis field. In addition, what families and professionals are also advised to dois gather any additional information concerning this approach, for it canfurther facilitate and lead to even better final outcome.