Applied Behavioral Analysis
A popular referred name that is the same as Applied Behavioral Analysis is Intensive Behavioral Intervention. The two terms may be used to describe the same condition, but there are some differences between the two. Most parents and lay people often use the two terms in reference to an intense program of study for a person. This is most commonly a child, which uses principles from the field of Operant Conditioning. Also this is known as Behavior Modification. This particular field has its ancestry in the theories of B. F. Skinner. The popular study that was cited by Ivar Lovaas, which was written in the 1980’s, showed that the main beliefs of ABA could be introduced in a strong program of behaviorally based instruction to treat children who suffer from autism. This study that was done showed people that children with autism could make spectacular progress. This is only when receiving a program of instructions of this type.
ABA uses a lot of techniques in this particular program. DTT, or Discrete Trial Teaching, is one of the first instructional methods used in the ABA programs for the children that have autism nowadays, but it is not the only one used. The technique will maximize the learning process and can also be used to develop most of the skills needed to a person at one time in their lives. It will also help to develop other skills such as cognitive, social, behavioral, fine motor, play, social and self-help skills. Discrete Trial Teaching, DTT also involves the breaking down of skills into smaller sub-skills and also teaches each of the sub-skills, quite powerfully, one at a time, so that it gets nailed home and taught properly. It also involves a frequent practice with prompts and loss of prompts to assure the child’s achievement. DTT also uses a back up to help shape and maintain positive behaviors and skills.Teaching the Natural Environment is also a very precious method that is built into many ABA programs nowadays. More advanced methods are further added to improve Verbal and Social skills as the child or person develops. The different methods that are common throughout the theme, used under the umbrella term of ABA are the use of performance based education. A high quality description of the various theories of the learning process can be found by searching around on the Internet. There are a lot of useful sources to find this information out from. We as humans learn to behave based upon demands placed upon us by the environment we live in. For most of us this event happens without us actually noticing us it happening. A person or child who has autism, this learning event happens only when demands are carefully prepared. It is repeated often and it is rewarded when the preferred behavior is produced.
