Applied

Behavior

Analysis

 

ABA teaches Socially Important Behaviors

ABA is more than just autism. Applied Behavior Analysis takes the science of human behavior and applies it to real-life situations. Behavior is ever-encompassing. ABA sets to improve socially important behavior which includes a multitude of intervention techniques and tools. ABA strives to increase overall independence by improving language, social behavior, safety, health, executive functioning and emotional well-being. ABA encourages communication and social-conversation skills by capitalizing on learning by analyzing contingencies including establishing operations, setting event, antecedents, behavior and consequence and it’s play on the environment. This often involves increasing affect, engagement, fun and creativity. ABA seeks to identify replacement behaviors that inhibits individual learning and the safety of others. Changing behavior is not intended to change an individual’s personality. Rather, ABA assists the individual with communicating desires and displeasure.

ABA uses Literature to Guide Practice, Learning from the Past

Behavior change procedures should favor reinforcement and non-adversive/invasive methods over the use of punishment (as described in literature). Placing a previously reinforced behavior on extinction may result in extinction bursts or aggression. Functional Communication Training is one way to minimize extinction bursts. ABA should generalize skills across settings. Acquiring skills such as imitation, following directions, requesting, conversation skills, social skills, flexibility, delayed reinforcement, waiting (etc.) can open doors leading to more opportunities. ABA does not set to teach learned helplessness rather it teaches independence, meeting an individual where they are at. It does not set to destroy internal motivation rather the value of generalized reinforcement, the way society works. Professionals should continue to review literature and stay up to date on best practices, reinforcement based alternatives and the code of ethics.

The treatment team is collaborative

The treatment team is collaborative

The treatment team should work together to identify problems and solutions in order to make progress. The dose of individualized intervention varies but it is suggested that the more hours of intervention at an early age correlates with greater improvements. Practitioners have varied levels of skills. They use clinical judgement to develop repertoires, increase cognition, decrease problem behaviors and improve quality of life. Goals should be collaborative, and evaluated through the use of social validity procedures. Self-stimulatory behaviors may be addressed if it interferes with learning, friendship and workplace goals. Choose a program that will listen, obtain consent/assent, work collaboratively and invest in the future.

 

Reference:

Leaf, J.B., Cihon, J.H., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., Liu, N., Russell, N., Unumb, L., Shapiro, S., Khosrowshahi, D., (2021). Concerns about ABA-Based Intervention: An Evaluation and Recommendations. Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders. 52. 2838-2853.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services in Kansas

  • Ability KC

  • Achieve and Exceptional Learners Behavioral Services

  • ACI Learning Centers

  • All-Star Autism Services

  • Aspire Behavioral Solutions

  • Autism from the Start

  • Autism Services of Kansas

  • Autism Support Now, LLC

  • Autism Therapy Center (LEAP)

  • Behavioral Health KC

  • Beyond the Individual

  • BlueSprig

  • Born to Blossom

  • Brain Balance Center

  • Bringing Therapy Home

  • Britain Development Center

  • Center for Autism & Related Disorders

  • Center for Child Health and Development

  • Community Living Opportunities (CLO)

  • Contemparary Behavior Consultants

  • Continuum Behavioral Therapy

  • Creating Connections Therapy

  • Deanne Williamson, BCBA, MA

  • Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI), Community Living Opportunities

  • Exceptional Learners Behavioral Services

  • Family First Center for Autism

  • Family Service and Guidance Center

  • HeartSpring

  • Inspire ABA

  • Integrated Behavioral Technologies

  • Kansas City Autism Training Center (KcATC, Astra Day School)

  • KIDS Place

  • Kansas Early Autism Program (KEAP)

  • KC Behavior Analysts

  • KIDS TLC Program

  • KinCare Behavioral Health, Inc

  • KU Bridge Clinic

  • Lakemary Center

  • Limitless ABA KC

  • Little Red Car ABA Services

  • Little Stars ABA

  • Little Steps ABA Early Intervention Program

  • Monarch ABA

  • No Stone Unturned Therapeutic Learning Center

  • North Star Academy

  • Northland Social & Behavioral Supports

  • Parsons Dual Diagnosis Outreach Team

  • Partherns in Behavioral Milestones

  • Pathways Autism Program

  • Patterns Behavioral Services

  • Paws 4 Autism - Canine Social Skills in Education

  • Positive Behavior Supports Corp

  • Prairie View Inc

  • Rainbows United

  • Riley ABA and Autism Center

  • Sadowsky Autism Services

  • Sherwood Autism Center

  • Social Behavior Solutions

  • Stiehl Behavioral Consulting, LLC

  • Summit Behavioral Services

  • The Behavioral Project

  • The Easter Seals Cappers Foundation

  • Trumpet Behavioral Health

  • Willow ABA Services