​​​STEP-BY-STEP LEARNING​

​​​APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a type of therapy that focuses on imparting skills in specific domains of functioning, such as social skills, communication, academic and learning skills, motor dexterity, hygiene and grooming, and more. ABA is delivered in a variety of settings, including school, home, clinic, and other community settings.


​ABA utilizes positive reinforcement to teach and promote social skills, communication abilities, learning and academic skills, and self-care habits. ABA therapy is intensive; sessions typically last two or more hours and are conducted several days a week. The therapy is attuned to specific developmental needs, and a course of therapy typically spans two or more years. ABA consists of interventions derived from scientifically established principles of behavior.


BABC's ABA Program Focuses on 6 Unique Domains: 
1. Expressive Language
Expressive language is the use of words, sentences, and gestures to communicate with others. Expressive language skills include being able to label objects in the environment, describe actions and events, while focusing on phonemes, morphemes, syntax and semantics to put words together in sentences. 

2. Receptive Language
Receptive language is the ability to understand words and language. It involves gaining information and meaning from routine visual information within the environment, sounds, and words concepts. It’s the ability to understand and comprehend other’s intent, needs and wants.

3. Pragmatic Communication
Pragmatic Communication is using communication for social purposes, such as greeting and sharing information, in a manner that is appropriate for the social context such as rules for conversation and storytelling, taking turns in conversation, and knowing how to use verbal and nonverbal signals to regulate interaction.

4. Adaptive Skills
Adaptive or self-help skills are skills or tasks that build independence, self-esteem, and increase the likelihood that a child will be successful in developing skills that will lead to independence and to reduce self-help deficits that are placing undue burden on parents and the community.

5. Behaviors
Maladaptive behaviors can range from minor to severe behaviors that can either be tolerable and safe or be harmful to an individual and the people around them. Types of maladaptive behaviors entails: Ritualistic Behavior, Self-Injurious Behavior, Tantrum Behavior, Aggressive Behavior, Stereotypical Behavior, and Maladaptive Behavior.

6. Parent Training/Consultation
Parent training is individualized to the needs of each family. BABC understands that autism and related disorders do not affect just one person in the family, but that it affects the entire family. As part of treatment, BABC provides parent training and consultation to help parents address deficits in their child’s daily functioning to increase functional skills and development.