What is ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis, likely presented to you as just "ABA," is a behavioral science designed to help reduce engagement in maladaptive behaviors and teach social significant alternatives. There has been a ton of research to support its effectiveness in aiding individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and is now largely recognized as one its main treatments.
ABA can help to target deficits (across a variety of settings) in the following areas using principles such as positive reinforcement, prompting and prompt fading, shaping and much more!
- Communication
- Gross Motor and Fine Motor skills
- Vocational skills
- Adaptive Skills
- Social Skills
- Self-help
- Behavior
These therapeutic services may help to target a range of skills, but will ultimately depend on the specific needs of your child. Rather than overwhelm you with a ton of information, we want to drive this point home-- that is, ABA can be whatever
YOU
want it to be.
Though ABA is driven by science, data and assessment, you should always be sure to advocate for the needs of your child and/or family and create goals that are relevant and/or functional to you or the target client. Regardless of where and by whom it is implemented, ABA should ALWAYS be a collaboration and team effort to create the quality of life you deserve!