Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to the understanding of the effect of the environment on behavior, learning, and skill development. A major application of ABA is to improve functioning across a variety of skill areas such as communication, socialization, and self-help skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Behavioral psychologist Dr. Ivar Lovaas was among the first practitioners to use ABA in the treatment of autism. In 1987, he conducted several ABA studies at UCLA. The goal of autism-focused ABA therapy is reducing maladaptive behaviors and teaching new skills.
ABA therapy is characterized by evidence-based interventions, ongoing assessments of progress, and observed behavioral changes. Clinicians can implement ABA techniques in all environments and all ages. Children can benefit from ABA at home and school, while adults can use ABA to improve their performance at home and work.
Therapists must practice under the direction of Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) to provide ABA services. BCBAs earn their graduate-level qualifications from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
BCBA’s and therapists use various teaching methods during ABA interventions. One of the oldest and most basic ABA teaching methods is called Discrete Trial Training (DTT). Since children with autism often experience learning difficulties, DTT breaks down teachable skills into small, simple components that children can process more easily. For example, asking a child to pick a red card from a group of colored cards on a table may be confusing to the child, but asking them to “touch red” may help children understand their teacher’s words. DTT also features positive reinforcement by using incentives. When children respond correctly, the teacher provides a reward such as food, a token, or praise. When children give an incorrect response, they do not receive a reward.
Alternative teaching methods include Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI), Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), and Natural Environment Training (NET). Specialists use EIBI for children aged 5 or younger in one-on-one sessions supervised by trained professionals. PRT focuses on skill acquisition in “pivotal areas” that leads to widespread behavioral changes across many other, untargeted behaviors and favors the use of natural reinforcers. NET, tackles complex skills in natural settings. Teachers carefully use a child’s interests to teach them skills. Children who receive NET therapy may apply their learned skills to other environments.
ABA interventions are categorized into two classes: comprehensive and focused. Comprehensive interventions target key developmental skills, while focused interventions resolve specific issues.
As long-term treatments, comprehensive interventions address the major deficits associated with autism over a year or more. The treatments improve social skills, communication, and functional competencies in children with autism.
Focused interventions, on the other hand, aim to adjust specific behaviors. For example, therapists can use focused interventions to reduce tantrums or teach children how to request things. Unlike comprehensive interventions, focused methods are time-limited.
Studies show that ABA therapy provides effective interventions for children with autism. A 2018 meta-analysis demonstrated that ABA programs are most useful in improving children’s communication and intellectual abilities. ABA also moderately alters socialization and adaptive behaviors. Research indicates that ABA proves most effective as a long-term treatment plan, especially when implemented at a young age.
