What is ABA?

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a field of psychology that focuses on applying learning theories to different people and situations. One specific application of these techniques is intensive behavioural intervention for children with autism.  Three decades of research have demonstrated the effectiveness of ABA principles for children with autism. Teaching techniques based on ABA have been shown to significantly improve the abilities of children with autism to learn and develop. 

The techniques of ABA are grounded in science.  Some of the hallmarks of ABA include:

Breaking complex tasks into smaller tasks that can be taught more easily

Providing repeated opportunities to learn and master new skills

Using reinforcement procedures to assist in the acquisition of new skills

Understanding the functions of behaviours (e.g. communication, attention seeking, avoidance, etc.) and developing programs to meet the child’s needs

Making objective, data driven decisions to guide our evaluations of treatment progress

Utilising effective teaching techniques, such as discrete trial teaching (DTT)

Effectiveness of ABA

Research has shown ABA to be effective in reducing disruptive behaviours typically observed in individuals with autism, such as self-injury, tantrums, non-compliance, and self-stimulation. ABA has also been shown to be effective in teaching commonly deficient skills such as complex communication, social, play and self-help skills.  Two seminal studies by Lovaas (1987), and McEachin, Smith and Lovaas (1993), have proven the efficacy of ABA.  Additionally, many studies have been undertaken since this time, which replicate these findings and provide additional support for the techniques.

ABA & Contemporary Behaviour Therapy

Autism Partnership’s approach to ABA treatment of autism greatly differs in many fundamental ways from those who have a more rigid application of ABA. Further, our model incorporates a variety of ABA methodologies appropriate for the treatment of persons with autism. Therefore, to distinguish our approach we identify it as Contemporary Behavior Therapy.

Some of the hallmarks of contemporary behaviour therapy include:

Utilisation of all the guiding principles of ABA

Emphasis on a positive and systematic approach to teaching functional skills and reducing behaviour problems

Therapy is a creative process and is implemented with structured flexibility, capitalising on the resources available for each individual child

While we have found certain teaching techniques to be consistently effective, we also recognise that each person working with a child has their own style and unique contribution to make to the educational treatment process

Our general approach is very pragmatic: if it works, stick with it; if it does not work, figure out how to fix it!