What Is ABA?

ABA is

“…the process of applying sometimes tentative principles of behavior to the
improvement of specific behaviors, and simultaneously evaluating whether or not
any changes noted are indeed attributed to the process of application.”
Baer, Wolf, & Risley, (1968)

Baer and his colleagues suggested that in order for research to qualify as applied
behavior analysis:
1. It must change social important behavior, chosen because it needs change,
not because its study is convenient to the researcher,
2. It must deal with observable and quantifiable behavior, objectively defined
or defined in terms of examples,
3. There must be clear evidence of a functional relationship between the
behavior to be changed and the “experimenter’s” intervention. (Change
experimenter to teacher!)

Applied behavior analysis is more rigorously defined than behavior modification.
Behavior can be changed or modified without meeting the criterion of analysis.
There must be clear evidence that the intervention caused the change in the
behavior it to be applied behavior analysis.

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The Seven Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis

Generality-change is durable over time and appears in a variety of environments.
Effective-produces large enough effects to be practical
Technological-procedure(s) are written so that anyone can replicate exactly what
is intended.
Applied-the behavior to be changed must be one that is important and usable for
the student.
Conceptual-basic principles are applicable to a wide range of issues.
Analytic-data is collected and there is an ongoing analysis of that data.
Behavioral-directed to behavior that can be measured and observed.

#ABA #Behavior
This and other Fact Sheets and Information Sheets, as well as additional #autism resources, support services and training information, are available on the Project ACCESS website at: projectaccess.missouristate.edu