What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) refers to the application of scientific methods and research findings to change socially important behavior in a meaningful way. To date, ABA is one of the most effective, evidence based interventions for individuals with ASD. To put it simply, ABA focuses on behavior principles that explain how behavior works and how learning takes place.

It is not a specific therapy in and of itself, rather it comprises a wide range of techniques and teaching strategies to teach new, socially important skills as well as to reduce undesirable behavior. Examples of main principles of ABA are: (1) human behavior is influenced by the elements in the environment, with or without you knowing; (2) when a behavior is followed by a reward (positive reinforcement), then the action is more likely to be repeated again.

ABA works really well for neurodiverse individuals because ABA is a technique that tailors to each individuals’ needs. With ABA, an individual’s behavior will be observed, assessed, and analyzed to determine the skill deficits that they have and what kinds of challenging behavior are prohibiting them from effective learning and social functioning.

While teaching with ABA, mass learning opportunities will be provided until the skill is mastered, along with necessary adjustment and guidance. Complicated skills will be broken down into smaller steps to help individuals with ASD learn more effectively. For example, handwashing consists of 10-12 steps and we teach one step at a time if the learner is struggling with learning the entire handwashing sequence quickly.

For challenging behavior, specific assessment and analysis will be conducted by our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) to understand why the problem behavior occurs. Our BCBAs will then use the information obtained to formulate a treatment plan to reduce the occurrence of that behavior, and/or teach the individual to engage in other more socially appropriate behavior to achieve the same effect.

Who are Board Certified Behavior Analysts (ABA)

Behavior analysts, or Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) are trained behavior consultants that are expertised in evaluating understanding behavior with the ability to determine why they occur, to formulate and implement effective treatment programs to increase or decrease the behavior studied. They use techniques and procedures derived from the principles of ABA to produce meaningful behavior change in the lives of neurodiverse individuals.

In Malaysia, paraprofessionals who are ABA practitioners do not need formal qualifications to practice ABA in Malaysia. However, the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) are ABA practitioners who have gone through extra certification training and supervision associated with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), an international certification board.

When seeking ABA services for your neurodiverse child, it is definitely more advisable to consider the qualifications and experience of the ABA service providers that you might be interested in. You can find a BCBA fromhttps://www.bacb.com/services/o.php?page=101135.