What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding and changing behavior that has been widely used in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disorders.

ABA is based on the principles of operant conditioning, which was first proposed by B.F. Skinner in the mid-20th century. The basic idea behind operant conditioning is that behavior is shaped and maintained by its consequences. In ABA, this principle is used to how a person’s environment influences their behavior and to develop interventions that can change that behavior in positive ways.

ABA interventions are typically tailored to the individual needs of the person with ASD and are implemented in a variety of settings, including the home, school, and community. The ultimate goal of ABA is to increase behavior that is socially significant and beneficial such as increasing communication skills, improving social interactions, and reducing problematic behaviors.

One popular ABA intervention is called discrete trial training (DTT). DTT is a teaching method that involves breaking down a skill into small, manageable steps, and then teaching each step one at a time using a system of prompts and reinforcements. DTT is often used to teach language, social skills, and academic skills to individuals with autism.

Another popular ABA intervention is called naturalistic teaching strategies (NTS). Unlike DTT, which tends to be done in a structured and controlled environment, NTS uses naturalistic teaching procedures which are done in real-life settings. This includes embedding the teaching of skills within activities that the individual with autism would naturally engage in such as playing with toys, watching TV, etc.

ABA also includes a system of data collection and analysis to ensure that interventions are tailored to the individual needs of the person with autism and that progress is continually monitored. This data-driven approach allows for intervention to be adjusted to the changing needs of the individual and ensuring the most effective methods are used.

Overall, ABA is a highly effective and evidence-based intervention that has been used to improve the lives of many individuals with autism. It’s tailored to each individual need and progress is regularly monitored to ensure effective treatment. ABA is also highly recommended by many health care professionals and is recognized by many insurance providers as a valuable treatment for autism spectrum disorder.

At Sitaray, we provide a rigorous early intervention programme that incorporates the different approaches of ABA. Instruction is delivered by our team of trained therapists most of whom are registered behaviour technicians (RBT). For more information please contact our intake team at 051 8313299 or 0348 5967424.