A Technical Definition
Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, is the applied branch of a larger science of learning and behavior. Our science has three branches: applied, experimental, and conceptual/theoretical. ABA is an approach that incorporates the philosophical assumptions and principles of learning and behavior from the science and applies them to create lasting and meaningful change to behaviors of social significance.
To Learn More about: Methods & Misconceptions • Who Can Benefit • Other Populations • Who Can Provide ABA • Choosing a Provider • Insurance
ABA: Methods and Misconceptions
Sometimes, ABA has also been used to describe specific methods of behaviorally-based interventions. There are many ABA methods that may be used in treatment with names such as discrete trials teaching (DTT), natural environment teaching (NET), precision teaching, pivotal response training (PRT), the Lovaas method, or verbal behavior (VB) training. While these are only a sample of the available methods, there are many others that may be used in an ABA program. An ABA program for a young child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) would be tailored to that individual child’s learning needs and may include a number of different ABA techniques.
As a result of the different ways in which ABA is described and even implemented, substantial confusion or misrepresentation of its application with different populations and in different environments occurs among parents, school teachers and administrators, other treatment professionals, popular press writers, and legislators. Because of these misconceptions, it can be very difficult for caregivers to sort through what ABA is, how it can benefit their child, and how it can be customized to fit individual learners. Because each person is a unique individual, there is no “one size fits all” ABA treatment model. Please call us so that we can help describe ABA to you and help you understand how our ABA approach can help your child.
Who Can Benefit from ABA?
While many people with different diagnoses have benefited from ABA, its well-known application has been with children diagnosed with ASD. For children diagnosed with ASD, ABA methods have been well-researched and are the strongest available approach to treating symptoms. At this point, numerous outcome studies and hundreds of individual intervention articles in our scientific literature demonstrate its effectiveness. Repeated results indicate that ABA intervention started early (usually before age 5), delivered intensively (30-40 hours a week), and consistently (2 or more years) can produce “normal” functioning in nearly half of the children who receive it.
Tarbox, J., Persicke, A., & Kenzer, A. (2013). Home-Based Services. Handbook of Crisis Intervention and Developmental Disabilities (Reed & Luiselli, Eds.). Springer: New York. Pp. 331-349.
Other Populations/Challenges
While we regularly treat children diagnosed with ASD, we see children with a wide range of diagnostic labels and even children without a diagnosis who need help with the common behavioral challenges of childhood (e.g., toilet training, compliance, sleeping in their own bed).
There is ample evidence to support the use of ABA technology to include many areas and populations beyond ASD. Oftentimes, it is useful to consider most challenges as behavior deficits (responses that happen too little) or behavior excesses (responses that occur too much or too often). ABA techniques are often used in combination to teach new skills in place of the behavioral deficit or reduce a behavioral excess. Many childhood behavior and learning problems can be addressed using an ABA approach. There is no limit on a person’s age or abilities for ABA to be useful.
Who can Provide ABA Services?
In Nevada, professionals who are registered and licensed with the State of Nevada Board of Applied Behavior Analysis and carry the following credentials may practice ABA:
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D or BCBA)
- Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)
- Psychologists with specialized training in behavior analytic assessment and treatments
- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
In addition, BCaBAs and RBTs must practice under the supervision of a licensed and board-certified behavior analyst. All treatment staff at ACBS are credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and licensed or registered through the State of Nevada Board of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Choosing a Provider
When choosing an ABA provider, we recommend looking at the education and experience of the supervising BCBA/LBA. A wide range of specialties and training practices characterize the profession, which comes with an equally dizzying range of service quality. A solid foundation in the science of behavior and its application, in addition to graduate training in ABA with children with ASD, are critical features of a behavior analyst’s competency to provide quality behavior analytic services to a young child. Other important features of a quality service provider are: knowledge of typical child development, training in a variety of settings, providing services to individuals with ASD for a prolonged duration, and ability to consume behavior analytic literature to stay knowledgeable about our field and practice. A parent should feel free to ask questions of the BCBA(s) working with his or her child, as this person is responsible for designing a child’s individualized curriculum and protocols. While each learner will acquire new skills at various rates, an ability to analyze data and make modifications to see measurable growth will greatly benefit a child. At ACBS, all BCBAs share our core values of providing each child quality behavior analytic services that are compassionately and ethically delivered.
Insurance and Third Party Reimbursement
Prior to starting assessment or treatment, please consult with your health insurance plan or funding source to make sure behavioral treatments for other conditions, diagnoses, or medical events are covered. We do our best to help you review your benefits and make sure we understand what health insurance will cover and not cover before you start service. For more information please see our Health Insurance and Treatment Funding section.
For more information on having your child receive services please contact us at (775) 448-6533 or email us at info@advancedbehaviorsolutions.com