What Is Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy?

When people ask me what I do and I reply that I’m a behavior analyst, they often give me raised eyebrows and are curious about what exactly that entails. As behavior analysts, our main scope of practice is in the field of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA).

What is ABA?

In its most general sense, ABA is a science and evidence-based approach to understanding behavior and shaping behavioral change. Though it is most often used with children with autism, its theories are applicable to anyone and everyone – and yes, I’ve even managed to get my husband to change certain behaviors here and there 😉.

Historically, behavior analysts have practiced in the area of developmental disabilities but today, the field has grown and ABA is seen used in various industries such as education, business management, healthcare, fitness, sport psychology, etc.

Shaping Behavior without Losing Identity

One of the criticisms of ABA is that it ‘changes the individual’ and that instead of shaping their behaviors to fit societal norms, individuals should be able to freely be who they are.

Indeed, the goal of the practice is not to change the individual but to support them in learning skills that are meaningful to them, particularly ones that can help improve their quality of life or their ability to function within society, whatever goals those may be. For instance, an individual may want to pick their nose in public, but that comes with social consequences (e.g. harder to meet friends etc.) and so we may enact a program to change that behavior should friend-making be one of the individual’s goals. For the record, this particular example is not related to the note above about my husband! 😄

How Do We Modify Behaviors to Meet Our Goals?

There are several interventions used under the umbrella of ABA therapy but the core of a successful ABA program is one that:

1) Analyses the motivations behind why we do what we do.

2) Uses positive reinforcement methods.

3) Focuses on breaking down complex skills into simpler parts to teach.

4) Takes into consideration the goals of the individual whenever possible (i.e. highly individualized and client centered).

There are so many topics and so much information that the behavior nerd in me is excited to share with you all; however, I was told on my Gr. 4 report card that I talk too much so I’m trying to shape my own behavior and keep this to an acceptable word limit…

Stay tuned for more specific topics and my next post for a look at some Myth Busters of common perceptions of the ABA practice. I would love to answer some of your ABA questions in future posts so DM me on IG @everydaypracticalmama or comment below.

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