

What is ABA?
Applied Behavioral Analysis, commonly referred to as "ABA" is simply the study and application of behavioral principles, to everyday situations, that will, over time, increase or decrease targeted behaviors. ABA has been used to help individuals acquire many different skills, such as language or communication skills, self-help skills, and play skills. These principles can also help to decrease behaviors such as aggression, self-stimulatory behaviors, and self-injury.
Behavior Analysts primarily observe the environment in which the idividual may be displaying "problem" behaviors in order to better understand the learning, social or emotional challenges that may "trigger" the problem behavior(s). After such observations, an analyst will develop a personalized behavior program, which establishes techniques to provide training to family members, caregivers or staff, so they can be an active participant and help reinforce the skills developed during therapy sessions.

How can ABA be used? If it is a behavior, and it can be observed, ABA principles exist that can be used to either increase or decrease a given behavior. Behavior Analysts focus on the improvement of socially significant behaviors. These behaviors include communication, social skills, academics, reading and adaptive living skills such as gross and fine motor skills, toileting, dressing, eating, personal self-care, domestic skills, and work skills.
Behavior Analysts conduct observations and therapy sessions within a clients home, in the community ad occasioanly in school settings.