2. ABA Therapy Fact #1
What is ABA Therapy?
ABA Therapy, or
Applied Behavior
Analysis, is a
scientifically validated
approach to
understanding behavior
and how it is affected by
the environment. In this
context, “behavior"
refers to actions and
skills. "Environment"
includes any influence –
physical or social – that
might change or be
changed by one's
behavior.
3. ABA Therapy Fact #2
Applied Behavior
Analysis, or ABA,
uses the scientific
principles of
learning and
motivation to teach,
focusing on the idea
that the
consequences of
what we do affect
what we learn and
will do in the future.
4. ABA Therapy Fact #3
Behavior analysis
focuses on the
principles that
explain how learning
takes place. Positive
reinforcement is one
such principle. When
a behavior is followed
by some sort of
reward, the behavior
is more likely to be
repeated. ABA is the
use of these
techniques and
principles to bring
about meaningful and
positive change in
behavior.
5. ABA Therapy Fact #4
Behavior analysts
began working
with children
with autism in the
1960s. Early
techniques often
involved adults
directing most of
the instruction.
Since that time, a
wide variety of
ABA techniques
have been
developed for
building useful
skills in learners
with autism –
from toddlers
through
adulthood.
6. ABA Therapy Fact #5
ABA techniques
can be used in
structured
situations such as
a classroom
lesson or in
"everyday"
situations such as
family dinnertime
or the
neighborhood
playground.
While some ABA
sessions consist of
one-on-one
interaction, group
instruction can
also be useful.
7. ABA Therapy Fact #6
ABA is widely
recognized as a
safe and effective
treatment for
autism and has
been endorsed by
a number of state
and federal
agencies,
including the U.S.
Surgeon General
and the New York
State Department
of Health.
8. ABA Therapy Fact #7
ABA programs are
comprehensive
programs – meaning
that an ABA
program will
address all aspects of
a child’s life. These
areas include
behavioral needs in
addition to social
skills,
language/communic
ation skills, cognitive
skills, self-help/daily
living skills, play
skills and motor
skills.
9. ABA Therapy Fact #8
A common myth
about ABA is that it
doesn't help older
children with
autism. ABA has
been shown to
yield significant
skill gains with
older children, as
well as toddlers.
However, children
who begin ABA at
younger ages often
see better outcomes
and can reduce the
likelihood of more
severe behaviors
later in life.
10. ABA Therapy Fact #9
There are two
different levels of
certification to
provide ABA services.
BCBAs (Board
Certified Behavior
Analysts) must have
their Masters Degree.
BCaBAs (Board
Certified Assistant
Behavior Analysts)
are required to earn at
least a Bachelors
Degree and be
supervised and work
with a BCBA.
11. ABA Therapy Fact #10
When done
correctly, ABA will
maximize a child’s
ability to express
their own
personality and
preferences by
teaching them the
skills they need to
communicate,
play, and
otherwise enjoy
life…by teaching
them how to
LEARN.
