Applied Behaviour Analysis: the science of learning and behaviour
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is the science of human behaviour. It is used to understand the factors that influence the learning and actions of all individuals. These scientific principals are then used in therapy to teach new behaviours and skills that are significant to both the learner and their family. ABA therapy is a therapy that incorporates the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). The purpose of ABA therapy is to teach new skills, determine the reasoning behind an individual's behaviour and improve everyday living.
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How does ABA therapy work?
ABA therapy uses reinforcement to increase behaviours and make them more likely to occur in the future. Reinforcement naturally happens to us frequently in our everyday lives.​ In therapy, we use data to figure out why a behaviour is occurring (i.e. what is reinforcing this behaviour and why certain behaviours occur instead of others). If we know why the behaviour happens, we can then figure out what new skills to teach. Therapy uses high levels of reinforcement to teach new skills or teach skills that can replace maladaptive behaviour. Reinforcement is systematically faded out over time to a level that would be naturally occurring. For example: ​​Your child is struggling to learn to put on their shoes independently even though they have been shown many times. ABA therapy would break down the task into smaller steps and use reinforcement to teach each step on its own. The steps are then joined together and reinforcement can be faded out.
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When we talk about behaviour, we are not just referring to 'challenging' behaviour. In ABA, behaviour actually refers to any interaction with your environment. There are public behaviours (that others can observe) as well as private events that take place internally (e.g. thoughts and emotions). Behaviour is a broad term that can include actions such as waving, crying and laughing, but also encompasses longer and more complicated chains of individual behaviours, such as eating, getting dressed and brushing your teeth.
Reinforcement in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA is like giving someone a reward to encourage them to do something good again. The idea is to make the person feel good about what they've done, so they're more likely to do it again in the future. It's all about using rewards to help teach and encourage positive behaviors.
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​Positive reinforcement aims to strengthen and encourage desired behaviors by associating them with pleasurable or rewarding outcomes.
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In ABA therapy, positive reinforcement is utilized to teach new skills, shape behaviors, and encourage positive social interactions.
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Effective positive reinforcement strategies are tailored to the unique preferences and needs of each individual, ensuring that the rewards chosen are meaningful and motivating.
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By systematically reinforcing desired behaviors, individuals can develop and maintain positive habits and skills over time, leading to meaningful improvements in their lives.
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Who can benefit from ABA?
Everyone! ABA and its use in therapy is often associated with autism; however, the science of ABA is applicable to all individuals, whether they are neurotypical or neurodiverse. ABA is used in a variety of settings including therapy, sports, classrooms and large organisations. This highly effective therapy has a broad range of uses. ABA therapy has been extensively researched and only incorporates strategies that are evidence-based.
When used correctedly by qualified professionals, ABA therapy should:
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Promote independence
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Be individualised to each learner
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Fade reinforcement
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Work only on goals that are important to the learner and their support system
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Aim to help an individual improve their quality of life and increase skills that are significant to them
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