What Exactly is ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a three-stepped therapeutic approach that helps us reshape behaviors. These three steps are called the A-B-C’s of applied behavior analysis, they help us first understand and then teach/ introduce a positive behavior.
Antecedent: is what occurs right before the target behavior. This can take various forms, including a verbal command or request, physical objects or sensations like toys or lights, environmental factors, or even internal mental or emotional states such as thoughts or feelings. In essence, a stimulus is any input that can trigger a behavioral or physiological response in an organism. An antecedent is a stimulus that comes before the target behavior.
Behavior: is the person's response or lack of response to the antecedent. A behavior refers to any observable action, word, or reaction exhibited by an individual. It could be a physical movement, a verbal response, or any other discernible act that can be perceived by others.
Consequence: is what comes right after the behavior. It can include positive reinforcement of the desired behavior, or no reaction for incorrect or inappropriate responses. A consequence is any event that happens after the target behavior.
Looking at the A-B-C’s helps us understand:
Why is this behavior happening?
How do various consequences impact the likelihood of the behavior being repeated?
What Makes ABA a Good Match for Children with Autism? Why Did We Pick ABA?
Applied behavior analysis stands out, among the diverse array of treatments as one with substantial empirical backing in the research literature. Though this is not the main reason WHY we are called “ABAccess” or WHY we thought it has the potential to solve issues children with autism face. Applied behavior analysis is a particularly good fit since ABA does not require a specific setting, meaning a new environment. While treating issues that affect our child’s overall health like food selectivity (extreme picky eating), having the option to skip the "getting used to the new environment (where you go to receive the treatment) " part or “building their trust towards the new educators” part is amazing, right? I thought so too! ABA is incredibly adaptable, it can be tailored in a way that will help YOU help your child.
Also it costs NOTHING! At ABAccess we’re supported by psychiatrists who have been working on autism for years. Thanks to these amazing people, we work to make sure that everyone has the ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY to learn and understand the unique language of their children, whether that is loud or quiet!
Would I be Able to Learn ABA? How Hard is it to Learn?
Let’s look at a sample case! The parent presents a meal with various food items, including chicken nuggets (This is the antecedent). The child refuses, saying, “I only want chicken nuggets.”(This is the behavior). The parent removes the non-preferred items, and the child continues with only chicken nuggets (This is the consequence). Ok, now let’s go back to the beginning but with a different approach. When a meal is presented with various food items (the antecedent), the child is encouraged to take a small bite of the other food. In response, the parent acknowledges the effort (big or small) positively, saying, “Great job trying! If you want more chicken nuggets later, we can discuss it.”
Is it as hard as it may have sounded earlier in the blog?
Nevertheless, not every case is as easy to divide clearly into one of the ABCs or not every behavior is verbal, not every seemingly positive approach will help us achieve our desired consequence. Do not worry! Because this is exactly where we will help you! We’ll analyze the ABC’s of different situations together and test different approaches till we find one that works.
Comments