What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy approach that is based on the science of learning and behavior. ABA helps us understand how the behavior works, the affect of environment on behavior, and what the individual is getting out of the behavior. The focus of ABA is using reinforcement to increase behaviors that are helpful to an individual learner and decrease those behaviors that are harmful or impact their capacity for learning.

What ABA does not do is change individuals based on another person’s desires. The goals that are implemented are determined by the BCBA and the caregivers that support an overall goal. ABA teaches the skills, increases the behaviors that meet the overall goal while decreasing behaviors that hinder the goal.