Hello again and thank you for following along as we explore the basics of ABA therapy together! This is Part 4 and the final chapter of our guide – a glossary to help you decipher common ABA therapy terms. If you missed Parts 1-3, catch up with these quick links (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).
As you might remember from Part 1, ABA therapy is based on the science of Behavior Analysis that seeks to understand a person’s behavior and what influences it. With any science, there’s terminology all its own, and it can be confusing if it’s your first time hearing the lingo. The same can be said for ABA therapy.
We want to help you get familiar with some of the common terms you might hear from ABA therapists as you talk with them about your child. You’ll catch on quickly, but please don’t be afraid to stop us and ask questions. It’s vital that you’re an informed parent and advocate for your child, and a good ABA therapist will be your partner in that effort.
So let’s take a look at some common ABA therapy terms and what they mean. You’ll notice that we love our acronyms!
Basic ABA Therapy Terminology for Parents to Know
Adaptive Behaviors are behaviors that are appropriate and serve a function in everyday life. These behaviors are what we strive to help children learn and master through ABA therapy!
An Antecedent is an event or a setting that happens or is present before a particular behavior occurs. It’s neither good nor bad. It just precedes a behavior.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is the application of the science of Behavior Analysis. The goal of ABA therapy is to create meaningful improvement in socially significant behaviors. It’s an evidence-based treatment that helps with the wide range of symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is medical diagnosis that includes a cluster of skill deficits in areas of social and communications skills, as well as behavior excesses that are repetitive and non-functional. All children and adults with ASD are unique in their combination of behavior deficits and excesses.
Behavior Therapists are dedicated individuals who are specifically trained in ABA processes and procedures. They provide the day-to-day therapy children need based on their individual treatment plan (ITP).
Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) are experts in the field of ABA therapy and typically guide and oversee children’s progress in a therapy setting. They’ve earned (at least) a Master’s degree, completed the required number of hours in supervised fieldwork experience under another BCBA, and have passed the BCBA certification exam administered by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. BCBAs are required to complete specific amounts and types of continuing education every year to maintain their certification.
Conditioning is an ABA therapy technique that’s used to change the way a child perceives a particular item or event by closely associating it with another item or event that already evokes the desired perception.
A Conduct Disorder is when a child displays a pattern of repetitious behavior that violates age-appropriate social rules or the rights of others. Children with conduct disorder may break major rules habitually. For example, they may skip school, run away from home, destroy property, and behave aggressively toward others. Children with conduct disorder typically need One-on-One Therapy and social skills training, and parents may need to implement changes at home.
Consequences are events or conditions that happen after a particular behavior occurs.
Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is a highly structured ABA therapy technique for teaching skills by breaking them down into smaller components. The idea is that smaller components are easier to learn than the whole. As the child attempts (aka trials) to master each component of a skill, they are prompted and rewarded until they learn each component and can complete the skill in it’s entirety.
The Environment includes anything a child can see, hear, taste, touch, or smell. Anything our anatomy allows us to be aware of.
Impulse Control Disorder is a behavior disorder where a child regularly loses self-control, possibly leading to explosive verbal outbursts and aggressive behaviors such as property destruction. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to be diagnosed with this disorder. ABA therapy can help!
An Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) is the roadmap of ABA therapy for each child. It spells out all of the skills a child will be learning and all the problematic behaviors they will be working on to reduce or eliminate. Each child’s ITP is highly individualized and based on their skills assessment.
Natural Environment Training (NET) is an ABA therapy method in which skills are taught in a more naturalistic setting, such as during everyday activities or during play. The ABA therapist follows a child’s lead, adapting their instruction to what interests the child. The idea is that by utilizing a child’s natural motivation, learning becomes more rewarding and fun for them.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is diagnosed when a child shows a pattern of frequent defiance, anger, and argumentativeness toward authority figures, such as their parents. Typically, the signs of ODD are apparent from a young age. These signs include frequently losing one’s temper, being easily annoyed, refusing to comply with directions or requests, blaming others for one’s own misbehavior, and arguing frequently with others. One-on-One Therapy, Parent Training, and social skills training can help improve symptoms of ODD.
Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) are the hardworking people who provide ABA therapy to your child on a routine basis. They’re paraprofessionals who’ve completed at least 40 hours of approved training, successfully completed an initial competency assessment, and passed the RBT certification exam administered by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. RBTs must continue to receive supervision and renew their certification each year.
Reinforcement is anything added or removed from a child’s environment immediately following a behavior to increase the chances the behavior will happen again. There are three types of reinforcements:
- Differential Reinforcement is when you reinforce a behavior while withholding reinforcement for another. Teachers use differential treatment all the time. For example, when a teacher asks a question of students in a classroom, they’ll acknowledge a student raising their hand, but withhold acknowledgement when a student shouts out the answer without raising their hand.
- Positive Reinforcement is when something is added to the child’s environment after a behavior. For example, giving a treat to a child for finishing their homework is a positive reinforcement. You’ve added a treat to their environment.
- Negative Reinforcement is when something is removed from the child’s environment after a behavior. For example, you remove a child’s pull-ups when they use the potty. The reward is not having to wear pull-ups anymore.
Shaping is an ABA therapy technique that’s used to teach new behaviors or skills to a child. Small approximations of the desired behavior or skill are reinforced and the requirement or ask is gradually increased until the child is independently performing the goal behavior.
We hope we haven’t overwhelmed you with all these terms. If you are, that’s perfectly normal. You’ll get the lingo down in no time! The important thing is to ask questions when you hear a word or phrase you’re not familiar with. Your ABA therapy provider should be understanding and more than happy to explain.
We also hope that you’ve enjoyed our guide. If you have any questions about ABA therapy, what it is, and how it can help your child and family live a full and happy life, please reach out to us anytime by emailing buddy@behaviorexchange.com. You can also reach us by phone at 912. 317.8733.
We have beautiful, welcoming hives in Texas (Frisco, Plano, and Prosper) and Colorado (Boulder), where expert and caring staff provide families with everything from ABA therapy to zany fun. Come see for yourself the difference a Behavioral Health Center of Excellence® can make in your life!
