What is…
Applied Behavior Analysis
ABA therapy offers support to children and adults with autism and related developmental disorders.
The goal of ABA is to increase behaviors that are helpful, such as language and independent skills, and decrease behaviors that are harmful such as self-injurious behaviors.
ABA is effective for people of all ages. It can be used from early childhood through adulthood with varying diagnoses.
Techniques
ABA therapy uses various techniques, one of the most important is positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is when something an individual values follows a behavior and over time, results in the behavior occurring more frequently. For example, sticker charts, verbal praise, tickles, or high-fives can all be positive reinforcement if the individual values that interaction/item.
Another technique to ABA is identifying the Antecedents, Behaviors, and Consequences surrounding a particular behavior also referred to as the ABC’s. The Antecedent is what happens before the behavior occurs, the behavior is the behavior being targeted, and the Consequence is what happens immediately preceding the behavior. Tracking these can support identifying interventions and potential reinforcers to support individuals.
The person with autism will have many opportunities to learn and practice skills each day. This can happen in both planned and naturally occurring situations. For instance, someone learning to greet others by saying "hello" may get the chance to practice this skill in the classroom with their teacher (planned) and on the playground at recess (naturally occurring).
Supporting Evidence
ABA is considered an evidence-based best practice treatment by the US Surgeon General and by the American Psychological Association.
“Evidence based” means that ABA has passed scientific tests of its usefulness, quality, and effectiveness. ABA therapy includes many different techniques. All of these techniques focus on antecedents (what happens before a behavior occurs) and on consequences (what happens after the behavior).
More than 20 studies have established that intensive and long-term therapy using ABA principles improves outcomes for many but not all children with autism. “Intensive” and “long term” refer to programs that provide 25 to 40 hours a week of therapy for 1 to 3 years. These studies show gains in intellectual functioning, language development, daily living skills and social functioning. Studies with adults using ABA principles, though fewer in number, show similar benefits.
Source: https://www.autismspeaks.org/applied-behavior-analysis
Training & Education
A board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) provides ABA therapy services. To become a BCBA, the following is needed:
Earn a master’s degree or PhD in psychology or behavior analysis
Pass a national certification exam
Seek a state license to practice (in some states)
To learn more, see the Behavior Analyst Certification Board website. www.BACB.com
Working with me.
In order to get started we will have a free consultation meeting where we discuss your goals and needs and determine if my services are right for you.
If in mutual agreement, we will work together to develop a plan depending on the service type. All services will include a written agreement/contract and will be approved by you prior to starting services.
Your agreement should reflect your individual goals and represent an accurate picture of where you want to end up.
Together we will build, dream, and achieve!
Jaclyn Connelly
Contact Us
Please fill out the form with any questions you may have about working together, or if you would like to schedule a free consultation.
We usually get back within 48 hours. Keep in mind, this form is not intended for confidential health information.