Understanding the Basics of Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach that seeks to understand and improve socially significant behaviors. This method has a global impact, altering lives across the world. But what exactly is ABA, and how does it work? ABA focuses on the principle that our behaviors are influenced by our environment. By modifying these environmental factors, also known as “antecedents” and “consequences,” we can effectively change behaviors. This technique is often used in behavior modification programs. Here are some important ABA concepts.

Antecedents

Antecedents are events or environments that trigger a behavior, and they occur before the behavior itself. They can be both internal or external factors that set the stage for a behavior to occur. For instance, a ringing phone (antecedent) may prompt someone to answer the call (behavior). In the context of ABA, understanding antecedents is crucial as it allows for the prediction and manipulation of behaviors by altering these triggering factors. By managing antecedents, it becomes possible to encourage desirable behaviors or discourage undesirable ones, thus making significant strides in behavior modification efforts.

Setting events

Setting events refer to broader, more generalized circumstances that affect a person’s likelihood to engage in certain behaviors. While antecedents are immediate triggers, setting events are conditions that make certain behaviors more likely over time, and they often occur well before the behavior. Factors like physical wellbeing, social interactions, or the time of day can all act as setting events. For instance, a person might be more likely to react aggressively (behavior) when they are feeling unwell (setting event). Understanding setting events aids in comprehensive behavior modification, as it allows strategizing around broader factors that influence behavior, complimenting the management of immediate antecedents.

Behavior

A behavior can be defined as any observable and measurable action or reaction of a living organism to its environment. These behaviors can be overt, such as speaking or running, which are visible to the naked eye, or covert, like feeling anxious or thinking, which are internal to the individual. The focus of ABA is on behaviors that have social significance, meaning they affect the individual’s life quality or impact the people around them. The ultimate aim is to increase beneficial behaviors and decrease those that may be harmful or disruptive, using scientifically validated behavior change strategies.

Consequences

Consequences refer to the events or outcomes that follow a behavior, which can either reinforce or deter the recurrence of that behavior. Consequences can be positive (addition of a desirable stimulus) or negative (removal of an aversive stimulus), both of which can strengthen a behavior. Conversely, they could be in the form of punishment (either adding an aversive stimulus or removing a desirable one), which typically weakens a behavior. For instance, if a child washes their hands before a meal (behavior) and is then praised by a parent (consequence), the child is likely to repeat the behavior in anticipation of positive feedback. Understanding consequences is a key component of ABA, as it allows for the deliberate manipulation of outcomes to encourage desirable behaviors or discourage undesirable ones, thereby facilitating effective behavior modification.

Reinforcement

To explore deeper into the concept of “consequences,” let’s examine the principles of reinforcement and punishment. Reinforcement is a technique used to increase the likelihood of a particular behavior by following it with a consequence that is favorable to the individual. There are two types of reinforcement: positive and negative.

Positive reinforcement involves presenting a rewarding stimulus after a behavior, encouraging its repetition. For instance, giving a child a high-five after they complete their homework reinforces the behavior of homework completion.

Negative reinforcement on the other hand, involves the removal of an unpleasant stimulus following a behavior, also strengthening the behavior. An example of negative reinforcement could be the removal of uncomfortable shoes after a long day. Let’s say an individual has been walking around all day in tight shoes (unpleasant stimulus). The moment they get home and remove the shoes (behavior), they experience immediate relief (removal of the unpleasant stimulus). This relief serves as a negative reinforcer, increasing the likelihood that the individual will remove uncomfortable shoes in the future to escape the discomfort.

One can determine if something is a reinforcer by observing if the behavior consistently increases in frequency, intensity or duration when that particular consequence is provided. This is based on the premise of ABA that a reinforcer is defined not by its nature, but by its effect on behavior. Thus, if a consequence consistently results in increased occurrence of a behavior, we can infer that it is indeed a reinforcer for that specific behavior and individual.

Punishment

Punishment is a consequence that decreases the likelihood of a specific behavior’s recurrence. Similar to reinforcement, there are two types of punishment: positive and negative.

Positive punishment involves introducing an aversive stimulus following a behavior to decrease that behavior’s occurrence. For instance, if a child is reprimanded each time they interrupt someone, they are likely to reduce the frequency of their interruptions.

Negative punishment involves the removal of a pleasant stimulus to decrease a certain behavior. An example would be taking away a favorite toy when a child refuses to share it with their sibling, reducing the likelihood of the non-sharing behavior.

Identifying whether a consequence serves as a punisher is reliant upon observing a decrease in the frequency, intensity, or duration of the behavior over time. If a specific behavior is followed by a consequence and subsequently, occurrences of that behavior decrease, this suggests that the consequence is acting as a punisher.

While punishment can be an effective method in behavior modification, its use in ABA requires careful consideration. Over-reliance on punishment can lead to adverse effects such as fear, anxiety, and escape or avoidance behaviors. Punishment should never be used in isolation but combined with reinforcement strategies to encourage the development and strengthening of appropriate behaviors. Moreover, the punishment employed should be proportionate and ethically justifiable, aiming to protect the individual’s dignity and promote their well-being.

Extinction

Extinction is another strategy used to decrease or eliminate undesirable behaviors. Extinction is not a form of punishment, but rather it involves ceasing to reinforce a previously reinforced behavior. In other words, if a behavior was previously followed by a positive or rewarding consequence, and that reinforcement is consistently withheld, the behavior is likely to decrease in frequency or possibly stop altogether. For instance, if a child has been throwing tantrums to gain attention and we stop giving attention to such tantrums, over time, the child will likely reduce or stop throwing tantrums. However, it’s crucial to note that extinction often leads to a temporary increase in the behavior, known as an “extinction burst,” before the behavior eventually decreases. It’s essential to be consistent and persistent in withholding reinforcement for the undesired behavior for extinction to be effective.

Functions of behavior

Every behavior serves a particular purpose or function for an individual. Broadly, these functions can be categorized into four types: Escape, Attention, Tangible, and Sensory.

1. Escape: This function is when a behavior happens to avoid or get away from a situation, task, or event that is unpleasant or unwanted. An example of this is a child throwing a tantrum to avoid doing homework.
2. Attention: This function refers to a behavior that is carried out to gain attention from others, whether it be from peers, parents, or teachers. Acting out in class to get a reaction from friends is an illustration of an attention-seeking behavior.
3. Tangible: Here, a behavior occurs to gain access to specific tangible items or activities. For instance, a child might cry to get their favorite toy.
4. Sensory: This function of behavior is also known as automatic reinforcement, where the behavior itself provides a rewarding sensory experience to the individual. An example could be a child who rocks back and forth for the pleasant sensory input it provides.

Recognizing these functions of behavior can guide the development of effective intervention strategies in ABA, tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual.

Replacement behaviors in ABA

In ABA, a critical aspect of managing challenging behavior is the introduction and reinforcement of replacement behaviors. These are positive behaviors that serve the same function as the maladaptive or undesired behavior but are more socially acceptable. The goal is to replace the problematic behavior with one that is equally satisfying to the individual but has less negative impact.

For example, if a child frequently interrupts conversations to gain attention (function: attention), a possible replacement behavior could be teaching the child to raise their hand or wait for a pause in the conversation before speaking. In the case of a child who throws tantrums to avoid homework (function: escape), you could teach them to request a short break when they feel overwhelmed.

In implementing replacement behaviors, it’s important to ensure that the new behavior is taught and reinforced consistently. Over time, as the individual experiences the benefits of the replacement behavior (meeting their needs without the negative consequences), it becomes more ingrained and automatic, eventually replacing the undesired behavior.

The success of this process underscores the importance of understanding the function of a behavior in ABA. By identifying the underlying need that a behavior serves, we can find healthier, more productive ways for individuals to meet those same needs.

Generalization

ABA not only aims to modify specific behaviors but also focuses on promoting generalization, the ability of an individual to apply learned skills or behaviors across different settings, people, and materials. Generalization is crucial because it allows individuals to use their skills in various situations and helps them navigate the demands of their daily lives. For instance, a child who has learned appropriate table manners at home should be able to use these skills when eating out at a restaurant. ABA therapists can promote generalization by incorporating activities that resemble real-life situations and settings, encouraging individuals to practice skills in different environments, and providing caregivers or teachers with strategies to promote generalization. Additionally, ABA also teaches individuals skills such as self-monitoring and self-evaluation, which can help them generalize their behavior independently.

Maintenance

Maintenance refers to the ability of an individual to maintain learned skills over time. Maintenance is important because it ensures that individuals do not forget or lose their acquired skills and behaviors. ABA therapists can promote maintenance by incorporating regular review sessions and providing caregivers or teachers with strategies to reinforce and maintain learned behaviors in daily routines. Additionally, teaching individuals self-management skills can also help them maintain their behavior independently.

Self-management

Self-management refers to the process through which individuals learn to control their behavior, make decisions independently, and take responsibility for their actions. It involves teaching individuals to recognize their own behaviors, understand the consequences of these behaviors, and implement strategies to modify undesired behaviors and reinforce desired ones. Self-management can be seen in simple everyday activities, such as a child completing their homework without being told to do it, or an adult resisting the urge to snack late at night. By mastering self-management skills, individuals can be more self-reliant, improve their problem-solving abilities, and enhance their overall quality of life. ABA therapists foster self-management skills through various techniques, such as self-monitoring, goal setting, and self-reinforcement.

Upcoming topics

ABA also uses a variety of antecedent strategies such as functional communication training (FCT), and non-contingent reinforcement (NCR) to prevent unwanted behaviors from occurring. It also employs consequence strategies such as differential reinforcement procedures to address problem behaviors. In addition, ABA uses teaching strategies such as discrete trial training (DTT) and behavior skills training (BST) to acquire and develop new skills. It also incorporates a range of evidence-based interventions to target communication deficits, social skills deficits, adaptive skills deficits, sensory issues, and restricted/repetitive behaviors in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual/developmental disabilities, as well as those with skills deficits or behavioral concerns. Upcoming articles will delve into antecedent strategies, consequence procedures, teaching strategies, and various interventions used in ABA. Each topic will be discussed individually, providing a comprehensive exploration of these important aspects.

In conclusion, ABA is a scientific approach that empowers individuals to understand and augment socially significant behaviors. By analyzing antecedents, behaviors, and consequences, ABA offers a comprehensive roadmap to behavioral modification. It stresses the importance of reinforcement, punishment, extinction, and self-management, presenting a holistic approach to behavior change. Notably, ABA extends its impact beyond individual behavior alteration, nurturing generalization and maintenance of learned skills across diverse scenarios. The impact of ABA spans a global scale, revolutionizing countless lives by instilling behavioral understanding and control. As we further explore the vast domain of ABA in upcoming articles, we will delve deeper into its various strategies and techniques, unraveling its immense potential in bringing about significant positive behavioral changes.

For a lot more information on ABA and to read a bit about my journey as an autism mom, please check out my book:

https://books2read.com/A-Handbook-for-Caregivers-of-People-with-Autism-Spectrum-Disorder