Answers to questions about ASP/EBICS and ABA

What is ABA?

ABA stands for applied behavior analysis.

"Applied behavior analysis is the science in which tactics derived from the principles of behavior are applied systematically to improve socially significant behavior and experimentation is used to identify the variables responsible for the behavior change.”1

What does that mean?

ABA uses scientifically validated procedures to improve behaviors that are important to all involved and to demonstrate that those procedures were responsible for the change.

How do the SECEP ASP and EBICS programs use ABA?

We use principles from ABA such as reinforcement and we use procedures from ABA such as shaping, chaining, discrete trial, and errorless learning to teach communication, social, academic, and daily living skills to our students.  In addition, we use the procedures of functional assessment to address problematic behaviors. 

Regardless of the behaviors being taught, student outcomes are measured by direct observation, and changes to instruction are made if the data show that the student is not making satisfactory progress.

The following statement from the Autism Advisory group describes how ABA “looks” in our programs.  “Some ABA techniques involve instruction that is directed by adults in highly structured fashion, while others make use of the student¹s natural interests and follow his or her initiations. Still others teach skills in the context of ongoing activities. All skills are broken down into small steps or components, and learners are provided many repeated opportunities to learn and practice skills in a variety of settings, with abundant positive reinforcement.”2

The goal of using ABA is to enable our students to function as independently and successfully as possible in a variety of environments.

1 Cooper, Heron, Heward.  Applied Behavior Analysis. Second Edition, 2007.  pg. 20

2   Drs. Gina Green, Bridget Taylor, Stephen Luce, & Patricia Krantz of The Autism Advisory Group, Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.  http://www.behavior.org/

If you have additional questions please contact Greg Jacob, BCBA at jacob.arthur@secep.net