What is ABA Therapy?

Applied Behavior Analysis is a research-based behavior therapy that helps support those with Autism and other developmental disabilities. It is a flexible problem solving therapy that can adapt for the individual needs, goals, and interests of each person. This therapy can help teach and support behavioral needs to manage, improve, and change behaviors and skills. We focus on increasing appropriate behaviors and decreasing behaviors that risk health and safety.

An important part of ABA are the ABC’s

Antecedent- what occurs before the behavior

Behavior- the person’s response to the antecedent

Consequence- what comes directly after the behavior

By understanding the ABC’s, we are able to find out why certain behaviors are happening and how different consequences could affect whether the behavior is likely to happen again.

Positive reinforcement is a major concept used in ABA therapy. This is used to increase appropriate behaviors by rewarding (praise, high 5’s, tangible preferred items/activities, etc.) By consistently using positive reinforcement, is likely to increase the desired behavior in the future.