What is Applied Behavior Analysis?

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pplied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the design, implementation, and evaluation of environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior. ABA includes the use of direct observation, measurement, and functional analysis of the relations between environment and behavior. ABA uses antecedent stimuli and consequences, based on the findings of descriptive and functional analysis, to produce practical change. ABA is based on the belief that an individuals behavior is determined by past and current environmental events in conjunction with organic variables such as genetics. Thus, it focuses on explaining behavior in terms of external events that can be manipulated rather than internal constructs that are beyond our control. (exert from Behavior Analyst Certification Board)

Effectiveness of Applied Behavior AnalysisResearch studies have documented the effectiveness of ABA across a wide range of: 
  • Populations (children and adults with mental illness, developmental disabilities and learning disorders)
  • Interventionists (parents, teachers and staff) 
  • Settings (schools, homes, institutions, group homes, hospitals and business offices)
  • Behaviors (language; social, academic, leisure and functional life skills; aggression, self-injury, oppositional and stereotyped behaviors) 





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