ABA
A
APPLIED
B
BEHAVIOUR
A
ANALYSIS
WHAT IS ABA?
​
ABA is a science based method that is focused on understanding behaviour and teaching skills to individuals with autism and related difficulties. It is a discipline that employs objective data to drive decision-making about teaching targets and to track progress.
WHAT CAN ABA BE USED FOR?
​
It can be used for almost anything, particularly observable behaviours. ABA principles aim to manage and improve socially significant behaviours, which can range from communication, social and play skills, academics, fine and gross motor skills, toileting, dressing, eating, personal and independent self-care and living skills, and vocational and employability skills.
​
​
Through ABA, skills are broken down into the simplest steps and each step is taught systemically using modelling, errorless teaching, prompts and prompt fading, within trials where the child is presented with a stimulus or request and is guided to respond. Appropriate responses and behaviours are rewarded with positive reinforcements to convey to the child that the outcome is desired and this motivation means that it is likely to be repeated. The abilities and skills profile of autistic children vary enormously in their strengths and weaknesses, therefore programmes are individualised and devised to meet the individual needs of each child.
ABA programmes usually begin at home and programmes can range from part-time sessions of a few hours to 40 hours per week of intensive one-to-one teaching. Teaching may be done by parents and family members, or by tutors who are supervised by an ABA consultant.
The consultant assesses the child, using ABA assessment tools to prioritise targets, devises the programme, trains, instructs and supervises the practitioners in the highly sophisticated teaching techniques which are essential to a programme’s success. As the child progresses, sessions can move out of the home and into the community and other activities. This helps the child to generalise learnt skills into other types of environments; the transfer of skills is not automatic and should not be assumed.
​
​
​
ABA programmes should be managed and supervised by Behaviour Analysts to Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) or Associate Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA) levels with the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (USA).
Graduate-level professionals who have met the certification requirements of the UK-Society for Behaviour Analysis (UK-SBA) to Behaviour Analyst [UKBA(cert)] and associate Behaviour Analysts [aUKBA(cert)] levels are able to practise in the UK.
​
​
To find qualified practitioners we recommend looking on the UK-SBA website.
Should you require further information on ABA you may find the websites ABAA4ALL or UK-SBA useful.
Alternatively, please contact us for any of your queries about ABA.
​
​
INTRODUCTION TO ABA
WHO IS QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE ABA TEACHING?
FURTHER INFORMATION