Myth
Vs. FactMyth #1: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) costs too much
money!
Fact: Intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs
consisting of 25-35 hours a week can range in cost from approximately $15,800-20,840
per year. However, a qualified and experienced clinician can train parents
and other caregivers on ways to incorporate teaching procedures into their
child's natural environment while doing every day activities. Effectively
contriving learning situations during routine activities (e.g., meal time,
bath time) can create a language rich environment for children without spending
extensive time or money. Remember, even a minimal amount of effective teaching
is better than ineffective teaching or no teaching at all!
Myth #2: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) creates robots!
Fact: Poor teaching does create rote responding, which sounds
like a programmed robot. This is most likely a problem with the teaching rather
than methodology or the child. The most common reason for "robotic responding"
is teaching skills that are too difficult prior to establishing or strengthening
foundation skills first. Effectively strengthening foundation skills while
utilizing teaching procedures including mixing and varying, rapid rate of
instruction, variable rates of reinforcement, and generalization procedures
will result in fluency of skills therefore minimizing or avoiding rote responding.
All procedures have the potential to be misused resulting in undesirable outcomes,
which further justifies the need to have an experienced clinician involved
with all Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programming.
Myth #3: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) must consume your
life!
Fact: Children should have the opportunity to be children
regardless of their disability. Research has demonstrated that intensive early
intervention increases the likelihood of success. However, multiple hours
a week dedicated to an intensive program is not realistic for all families.
A qualified and experienced clinician can train parents and other caregivers
on ways to incorporate teaching procedures into their child's natural environment
while doing every day activities. Effectively contriving learning situations
during routine activities (e.g., meal time, bath time) can create a language
rich environment for children without spending extensive time or money. Remember,
even a minimal amount of effective teaching is better than ineffective teaching
or no teaching at all!
Myth #4: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is too strict and
no fun!
Fact: One of the primary goals of an Applied Behavior Analysis
(ABA) program is to create a reinforcing and fun learning environment so that
our learners want to be around us. After all, how can we teach someone who
isn’t engaged with us? We don’t only want to teach our learners
new skills but we want them to experience that learning can be fun so that
they are more likely to engage in other learning situations. Focusing on the
learner's motivation keeps learning fun, increases the likelihood that the
child will learn, and decreases the likelihood of problematic behaviors to
promote active engagement and enjoyment for both the learner and the teacher.
Applied
Behavior Analysis (ABA)?Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the science of human behavior and it applies research based principles to bring about positive behavior change. Behaviors are defined in observable and measurable terms to assess change over time. The behavior is analyzed within the environment to determine the factors that are influencing it so that modifications can be made to promote change. Thus, it focuses on explaining behavior in terms of external events that can be manipulated rather than hypothetical reasons that are beyond our control.
Applied Verbal Behavior (AVB) is based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and focuses on teaching language using highly effective teaching procedures. Applied Verbal Behavior (AVB) originated from B.F. Skinner's analysis of language in Verbal Behavior (1957). Skinner established that language develops as the result of interactions between antecedents, behaviors and consequences just as other behaviors are learned. Therefore, Skinner also determined that a word must be taught according to the function it has on the environment (e.g., request, label, etc...) to achieve fluent and effective use of language.
A Board Certified Bahavior Analyst (BCBA) holds a masters degree or higher
and is specifically trained in the scientific principles of Applied Behavior
Analysis (ABA). They have demonstrated behavioral knowledge through professional
work experience and supervision requirements as established by the National
Behavior Analysis Certification Board.
