Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

1. Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) An Effective Approach to Understanding and Changing Behaviour By: Edward Desanti

2. ABA can be… • … used as an instructional approach with students of every age. • … used according to the individual needs of each student. • … applied in a variety of situations, and it can be employed for very limited and specific purposes.

3. How does ABA work? • The focus in an instructional approach that uses ABA is on measuring and tracking behaviours over time. • Determining the function of the target behaviour, and altering the behaviour by providing intervention. • Student progress is based on ongoing data collection and assessment.

4. ABA methods can be used to: • increase positive behaviours • teach new skills • maintain behaviours • generalize or transfer from one situation to another • restrict or narrow conditions under which interfering behaviour occurs

5. Creating discrete steps • Step 1 – Clearly define the behaviour. • Step 2 – Evaluate and record current levels of performance. • Step 3 – Design and implement appropriate interventions. • Step 4 – Continue measuring the target behaviours. • Step 5 – Undertake an ongoing evaluation of effectiveness.

6. Strategies using ABA methods • Prompts • Modeling • Reinforcement • Task Analysis • Forward Chaining • Backward Chaining • Discrete Trial Training • Shaping

7. Making it work! • Requires collaboration among parents, educators, and other involved professionals. • Collaborative efforts provide opportunities for the generalization of new skills and behaviours across a variety of settings and situations.

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