170 likes | 750 Views
Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis. What is Applied Behavior Analysis? (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). Technical definition: the science in which procedures derived from the principles of learning are systematically applied to improve socially significant behavior
E N D
Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
What is Applied Behavior Analysis? (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007) • Technical definition:the science in which • procedures derived from the principles of learning • are systematically applied to improve socially significant behavior • and to demonstrate experimentally that the procedures used were responsible for the improvement in behavior • What you might say to your Aunt Sally: • a scientific approach to understanding why people do what they do and helping them make meaningful changes in their behavior
What is ABA? • Formally began in 1959 with Ayllon and Michael’s paper: The Psychiatric Nurse as a Behavioral Engineer - http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1403907&blobtype=pdf • 1968 – Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis(JABA) • In 1st issue, Baer, Wolf and Risley’s paper: Some Current Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis
1. Applied • Behavior is selected for treatment because it is socially significant for the learner • It will improve one’s life in the areas of: social, language, academic, daily living, self-care, vocational, and/or recreation and leisure • Clinical: What behaviors should be targeted for change? • Research?
2. Behavioral • Target to be changed is actual, observable behavior rather than verbal reports of behavior • If thoughts or other private events are the targets • Collect data on behavioral measures if at all possible • Administer multiple measures of verbal report • If you want to evaluate the effects of a program to teach children how to get along with each other, don’t measure their reports of how well they get along. Measure…
3. Analytic • When implementing an intervention… • To the greatest extent possible… • Demonstrate that it was your treatment (and not something else) that produced the behavior change • Use single-case designs • Examples • You’ve decided to evaluate a treatment to reduce Brian’s hand biting. After 2 weeks, his hand biting is occurring less frequently. • You are trying a new way to teach reading to Matt. At the same time, Matt’s home therapist is beginning a reading program.
4. Conceptually Systematic • Procedures for changing behavior… • And explanations for why behavior changed… • Should be described in terms of relevant behavioral principles • Example: PROMPT
5. Technological • Procedures are identified, defined and task analyzed • Describe in enough detail so that… • Someone else could do it • Detailed protocols
6. Effective • Amount of behavior change should be practical • Clinical significance • How do you know how much is enough? • Evaluate social validity of your • Goals • Procedures • Outcomes • Example • Treating pica
7. Generality • Behavior change should • Last over time (maintenance) • Occur with untrained materials, in untrained situations and environments, with novel people
Autism/PDD ADHD Tic Disorders Schizophrenia Dementia/Alzheimer’s Anxiety Phobias Depression MR/DD Feeding/eating Disorders Psychotherapy Substance Abuse Relaxation Education Child Development Sports Language Training Self-injury, aggression, stereotypy Gambling Addiction Parenting Sleep problems Toileting/Incontinence Systems Staff training Gerontology Foster child system Animal training Pain management Adherence to medical treatments Safety Brain Injury Areas of Application in BA…