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An Overview of the Science and Application of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Presented by: Kerrie M. Otipoby, M.S., BCBA HPS Behavior Inclusion Specialist Coordinator. What is ABA?. Applied Behavior Analysis is: A scientific approach to improving socially significant behavior…
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An Overview of the Science and Application ofApplied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Presented by: Kerrie M. Otipoby, M.S., BCBA HPS Behavior Inclusion Specialist Coordinator 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC Meeting
What is ABA? 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • Applied Behavior Analysis is: • A scientific approach to improving socially significant behavior… • In which procedures derived from the principles of behavior are systematically applied to improve socially significant behavior… • And to demonstrate experimentally that the procedures employed were responsible for the improvement in behavior • Cooper, Heron, and Heward(2007). Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition
Principles of Behavior 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • Some principles of Behavior Analysis are: • Behavior is largely a product of its environment. • Behavior is strengthened or weakened by its consequences. • Whether a behavior is punished or reinforced is only known by the behavior in the future (reinforcement = strengthens and punishment = weakens). • Punishment does not = aversive • Past behavior is the biggest predictor of future behavior. • If a behavior increases (happens more often) IT IS being reinforced by someone or something. • Positive/Negative reinforcement DOES NOT mean good or bad. It means to present (add) or remove (take away). • Problem behaviors compete with appropriate behaviors and usually win (they’re easier and more rewarding). • A person might not have learned the appropriate forms of achieving the same function. • Successful changes will depend on: Physical effort involved, schedule of reinforcement, and how many times they are required to perform.
ABA Components 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • Six key components: • Guided by attitudes of methods of scientific inquiry • All behavior change procedures are described & implemented in a systematic, technological manner • Only procedures conceptually derived from the basic principles of behavior are circumscribed by the field • Focus is socially significant behavior • Seeks to make meaningful improvement in important behavior • Seeks to produce an analysis of the factors responsible for improvement • Cooper, Heron, and Heward (2007). Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition
Is ABA a Therapy? 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • No. ABA is a science and the applied study of behavior. • The science has brought forward evidence to support ABA as a methodology for instructional and professional practices • skill acquisition, and • reducing interfering or challenging behaviors • However, there is a bit of confusion…
ABA Misconception 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • ABA is a standardized treatment program used for a specific type of problem and a specific type of individual. I.E. – Lovaas/Discrete Trials for Individuals with ASD • False: ABA is a methodology that is evidenced-based and has been used effectively with a multitude of populations to aide in the following: • Acquisition of academic, social, and language skills; organizational behavior management; geriatrics; addictions; gambling; health and fitness, etc….
ABA Today 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • Current behavior analytic instructionalmethods include (not limited to) • Incidental teaching, • Task analysis, • Interspersal Teaching, • DTT, • Errorless Learning • Personalized System of Instruction (PSI), • Verbal Behavior (VB), • as well as others…
Clinical Model: “ABA Therapy” 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • Clinical Recommendations & Clinical, Medical and Insurance based-services • Ex: Child Name has ASD. It is recommended that Child Name receives X hours/week of ABA Therapy. • ARICA – • The insurance company mandates that a licensed physician or psychologist verifies Dx and Rx in order to fund services. • “ABA Therapy”: • BCBA Supervisor/Case Manager: designs interventions, trains parents and staff in methods, and monitors progress • ABA Therapist: typically the individual directly implementing programming/interventions designed by BCBA.
ABA in Education 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • What is education? • An avenue to learn new skills! • What is behavior analysis? • The science of how behavior (skills) is learned • Application of behavior principles to education is a major area of impact • The science of behavior analysis provided the foundation for: • behavioral approaches to curriculum design • instructional methods • classroom management (ex: PBIS – at Placentino this is CARE) • generalization and maintenance of learning • Data monitoring and analysis
ABA in Holliston Public Schools 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC
Special Education Programs and ABA 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • Across the district there are specific programs that have been developed to support students, with particular learning styles, a continuum of services from pre-k through high school. • ABA methodologies are inherent across these programs. • Over-riding principle within the Behavior Academic Social and Inclusion Supports (BASIS) Program. • Generally why BCBA is associated with this program, but the District BCBA is not isolated to this program.
Continuum of Behavioral Supports 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • Who can develop programming? • Within each building, there is a continuum of behavioral supports for all students that includes: • Guidance • General Educators • Special Educators • Specialists • BCBA
Role of HPS BCBA:Board Certified Behavior Analyst 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • Consultative model across district • Frequency of consult varies based upon student or educator need. • General Education • Special Education • Weekly consult with BASIS special educators • Monthly BASIS meetings for district continuity and developments in ABA • Counselors • Administration • Regular meetings with SSAs to discuss building-specific/student-specific behavioral assessment and/or consultative needs. • Assist in coordinating professional development needs • District Behavioral Safety Trainer (Safety Care)
Safety Care 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • Safety Care is the District’s Behavioral Safety Curriculum. • DESE mandates that all school staff have a general overview of policies for emergency behavioral management • DESE mandates that each school identifies select staff to receive more in-depth training in challenging behavior prevention, minimization, de-escalation and management. • HPS has over 70 staff trained. • Training is heavily based on the principles of ABA
Intensive ABA Programming and the IEP 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • PLEP A and PLEP B: • Methodology - describe and note which aspects of ABA instructional methodology are necessary for educational progress. • Performance Monitoring – describe the general type and frequency of data collection • Additional Information • Service Delivery
In Closing… 1/21/2014 HPS Special Education PAC • Professional Practice of ABA: • A discipline concerned with the application of behavioral science in real-world settings such as clinics or schools with the aim of addressing socially important issues such as behavior problems and learning • Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968