ABA
ABA therapy has been proven to improve a child’s ability to communicate and teach behaviors that helps form social skills. This approach is also an effective way to teach play and self-care skills that support long-term healthy development. ABA Therapy is designed by a Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and implemented by a Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)
Positive Reinforcement
Positive Reinforcement is one of the Main strategy used in ABA. Positive reinforcement is a way to increase a desirable behavior and decreases undesirable behaviors.
ABA
ABA therapy is very flexible and can be tailored to meet individual needs. ABA can be provided in many different settings: home, school, & community. ABA can be taught one-to-one instruction & group instruction.
ABA uses Positive Reinforcement
The way we learn new behaviors is strongly influenced by positive reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement is the process in which a stimulus (an item, activity, etc.) is added directly after a behavior, resulting future desired behavior.
The use of positive reinforcement in ABA therapy has been proven to be effective in improving a variety of behaviors and skills. When used correctly, it can help individuals with disabilities reach their full potential and lead happier, more fulfilling lives.
First, the (RBTs) identifies a goal behavior. Each time the individual uses the behavior or skill successfully, they get a reward. The reward is meaningful to the individual – examples include praise, a toy, candy, book, iPad, watching a video, access to playground, etc.
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Reinforcement is NOT the same as Bribery.
In positive reinforcement, the stimulus change, or reinforcer, is provided after the positive target behavior occurs and is planned in advance.
In Bribery the stimulus is typically offered during challenging behaviors as an attempt to get the challenging behavior to stop.
For example, you want your child to put their shoes on. They scream and cry, refusing to put them on. You say, “You can have a sucker if you put your shoes on.”
This attempt to stop the behavior by providing a positive stimulus while the behavior is occurring is considered a bribe and is reinforcing the protesting behavior, not the desired behavior (putting their shoes on.)
Providing a reinforcer after a positive behavior, such as the child putting their shoes on without protest will reinforce the behavior and the child will be more likely to put their shoes on without protest in the future.
ABA therapy has been proven to improve a child’s ability to communicate and teach behavior that helps them form vital social relationships. The approach is also an effective way to teach play and self-care skills that support long-term healthy development.
ABA Therapy uses different types of teaching methods such as:
- Discrete Trial Training,
- Errorless Teaching,
- transfer trial, etc.
For more ABA terms click on the link below!
ABA Terms and Meanings – Cornerstone Autism CenterCornerstone Autism Center