What is ABA?

What is Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)?

Applied behavior analysis is the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors to a significant meaningful degree, and to demonstrate that the interventions employed are responsible for the improvement in behavior (Baer, Wolf & Risley, 1987).

Social significant behaviors include social skills, communication, academics, adaptive living skills and/or any other skill that is meaningful to the family or child.

What is Verbal Behavior (VB)?

The American psychologist B.F. Skinner first coined the term Verbal Behavior. Skinner theorized that language is a learned behavior and that it follows the same principles as all other behaviors. Simply put, Verbal Behavior is ABA-based therapy with an emphasis on language-based skills. In the 1990s, Skinner’s theory of language to treat children with disabilities was further popularized by researchers and practitioners such as Drs. Jack Michaels, Vincent Carbone, Mark Sundberg, and James Partington.

ABA/VB for Children with Autism

MADSEC reports that treatment approaches grounded in ABA are now considered to be at the forefront of therapeutic and educational interventions for children with autism. There is a large amount of scientific evidence supporting ABA treatments for children with autism and this has led a number of other independent institutions to endorse the effectiveness of ABA. These institutions include the U.S. Surgeon General, the New York State Department of Health, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Resources

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•Baer, D., Wolf, M., & Risley, R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied
behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 91 – 97.

•Baer, D., Wolf, M., & Risley, R. (1987). Some still-current dimensions of
applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 20, 313 – 327.

•Bondy, A S & Frost, L A (2002) The Picture Exchange Communication System:
training manual. 2nd edition. Newark DE, Pyramid Educational Products.

•Bondy, A S & Frost, L A (2002) A picture’s worth: PECS and other visual communication strategies in autism. Bethesda, MD, Woodbine House.

•Carbone V. J., Lewis, L., Sweeney-Kerwin, E., Dixon, J., Louden, R. Quinn, S. (2006). A comparison of two approaches for teaching VB functions: Total communication vs. vocal alone. Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis. 1:3 1-74.

•Hanley G.P, Iwata B.A, McCord B.E. (2003). Functional analysis of problem behavior: A review. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 36:147–185.

•Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC) (2000). Report of the MADSEC Autism Task Force.

• Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network- http://www.pattan.net

•Iwata B.A, Dorsey M.F, Slifer K.J, Bauman K.E, Richman G.S. Toward a functional analysis of self-injury. (1994) Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 27:197–209.

•Lalli J.S, Vollmer T.R, Progar P.R, Wright C, Borrero J, Daniel D, et al. (1999). Competition between positive and negative reinforcement in the treatment of escape behavior. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 32:285– 296.

•Smith R.G, Iwata B.A, Vollmer T.R, Zarcone J.R. (1993). Experimental analysis and treatment of multiply controlled self-injury. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 26:183–196.

•Sundberg, M. L., & Partington, J.W. (1998). Teaching language to
children with autism or other developmental disabilities. Danville, CA: Behavior Analysts, Inc.

•Vollmer T.R, Borrero J.C, Lalli J.S, Daniel D. (1999). Evaluating self-control and impulsivity in children with severe behavior disorders. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 32:451–466.

•Wright, P.W.D. & Wright, P.D. (2006) 4 Great Definitions about Reading in NCLB, Wrightslaw, www.wrightslaw.com/nclb/4defs.reading.htm Retrieved on 7-5-06

References

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Baer, D., Wolf, M., & Risley, R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 91 – 97.
Baer, D., Wolf, M., & Risley, R. (1987). Some still-current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 20, 313 – 327.
Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC) (2000).Report of the MADSEC Autism Task Force.
Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. New York: Macmillan.
http://www.carboneclinic.com/research.aspx
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