ABA Terminology

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ABA ( Applied Behavior Analysis)- Using scientific principles and data to shape socially significant behaviors. Also, using data to identify what is helping to improve the behavior. 

RBT (Registered Behavior Technician)- Works directly with the client and directly implements behavior plans. They have to complete 40+ hours of training and pass the RBT board exam. They are supervised weekly by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and/or by a Board-Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA).

BCaBA (Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst)- Works under the BCBA, has a bachelor's degree and passed the BCaBA exam. They can supervise the RBT, write programs and complete assessments under the BCBA’s supervision.

BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)- An individual with a master’s degree and passed the BCBA that can assess and create behavior plans for their clients. They supervise the RBT and the BCaBA.

Positive reinforcement- Addition of a reward following a desired behavior to increase the desired behavior. 

Negative reinforcement- Removing, stopping, or avoiding something that bothers a client to strengthen a desired behavior.

Positive Punishment- A  negative consequence is given after an undesired behavior is shown to decrease the behavior.

Negative Punishment- Removing an item after an undesired behavior is shown to decrease the behavior.

ABC Data- Is an assessment that looks at the factors surrounding the behavior.

A- Antecedent- What is happening before the behavior occurs?

B- Behavior- What are they actually doing? A description of what the behavior looks like. 

C- Consequence- What happens after the behavior occurs?

Extinction- Ignoring a behavior ( that you want to change) at all times that you previously reinforced so that it ceases to occur.

Extinction burst- The behavior that is on extinction increases and becomes more intense when you first start the extinction process. 

Spontaneous recovery-  Behavior begins occurring again when it was thought to be extinct or had lessened.

Mand- Asking for something that they want or need. Ex.- Can I have water?

Tact- Naming an item. Ex.- When shown a picture of a car and asked what the picture is the person says “Car.” 

Intraverbal- explaining, discussing, or describing an item or situation that is not present, or not currently happening. Ex.- A dog says _____.   What is your favorite color? 

Prompts- When helping someone to learn new skill we use prompts. Below are the main prompts used in ABA. 

• Physical - Hand over Hand (HOH), leading a person by the hand, or physically moving them 
• Verbal - repeating instructions or telling the person what to say
• Model - Demonstrating for the person what you want them to do
• Gestural - Gesturing, pointing, making a nonverbal motion to show the person what to do (*note: don’t combine with words, that’s actually 2 prompts) 
• Visual - Larger images, brightly colored images 
• Positional- Putting the correct choice closer to the person than the incorrect choice
• Textual (written) - Writing out the steps of the task
• Tactile - Using the actual item as a prompt/reminder, such as placing a briefcase by the front door, so you don’t forget it the next day