An evidence based approach
ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. ABA is an evidence based approach to understanding human behavior and how environmental influences affect it. As you might guess, everything in Applied Behavior Analysis is centered around the concept of behavior.
In short, behavior is defined as anything a person says or does. This includes things like; talking, walking, eating, standing up, turning head,etc.
For years, ABA has been gold standard of treatment for children on the autism spectrum, and its for good reason. Since the 1960s there have been thousands of research studies and articles that have documented the effectiveness of applied behavior analysis. Over the years ABA has been shown to be effective across multiple populations, developmental disabilities, settings and behaviors. ABA principles have been used in; general education & special education classrooms; animal training; workplace employee performance; changing peoples behavior in regards to health and fitness.
Behavior Analysts use scientific methods to systematically teach through interventions. Interventions that help individuals learn and apply new skills in their daily lives.
A key to ABA therapy programs is that they focus on increasing socially significant behaviors. In other words, the behaviors targeted should have immediate and long term benefits for the client. The behaviors taught in ABA are targeted to give the client access to better outcomes. For example, teaching a child to ask for a snack gives them the ability to communicate when they are hungry. This can also lead to them asking more complex questions like asking for help, or to watch T.V.. Socially significant behaviors can include social skills, language, academic, daily living, self care vocational and leisure activities.
ABA therapy is used to support children with Autism in a variety of ways:
Teaching new skills; using a structured and systematic teaching and reinforcement procedures. (e.g tooth brushing, getting dressed, making a snack)
Increase Behaviors; such as attending to social interactions or performing daily living skills.
Maintain Behavior; things like self control, job skills and self care.
Generalize Behavior; (e.g. Washing hands before exiting bathroom at home, school and at grandmas house.
Restrict opportunities in which undesired behavior happen; (e.g. changing the learning environment)
Reduce interfering behaviors; (e.g. self injury, stereotypy)
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Positive Pathways has been proving ABA services to children on the Autism Spectrum in Alameda, San Francisco and Contra Costa counties since 2011.
If you are interested in learning more about our service feel free to contact us at [email protected]