ABA and Autism
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
What is ABA?
Behaviour analysis stems from the philosophy of behaviourism. Behaviourism tries to identify what people do and why they do it. It is a natural science and looks at facts to discover the causes of human behaviour. Behaviour analysis is the science that studies environmental events that change behaviour (Baer, Wolf & Risley, 1968). Applied Behaviour Analysis is the science in which tactics derived from the principles of behaviour are applied systematically to improve socially significant behaviours of individuals. Socially significant behaviours include toileting, dressing, personal self-care, home and community orientation. It can also include reading, academics, social skills and communication. The applied in Applied Behaviour Analysis is the commitment to affecting improvements in behaviours that enhance and improve people’s lives.
ABA and Autism Spectrum Disorder
ABA is the most researched with 3 decades of studies to demonstrate and support the effectiveness of utilizing ABA principles to significantly improve the skill sets of children with autism spectrum disorder. Children with autism are less likely than other children to learn from their natural environment. ABA provides the guiding principles and techniques to help bridge the gap for children that do not learn the same way other children learn. New skills are broken down into teachable tasks for the learner. ABA is utilized to both decrease undesirable behaviours and increase desirable behaviours.
Essay On: The Top 10 Reasons Children With Autism Deserve ABA
We who advocate for applied behavior analysis (ABA) for children with autism spectrum disorders often construct our arguments based on the scientific evidence. However, the audience that most needs to hear this argument, that is, the parents of children, especially very young children, diagnosed with autism, may not be convinced by the science alone. This essay attempts to make the case for the multiple benefits of ABA intervention through the use of humor and anecdotes couched in a “Top Ten List,” and illustrating most points with stories of an engaging child with autism
