What is ABA?

"Applied Behavior Analysis is the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors to a meaningful degree, and to demonstrate that the interventions employed are responsible for the improvement in behavior"

Baer, D.M., Wolf, M.M., & Risley, T.R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.  1, 91-97.  

In other words, we make changes that help our “learners” choose to “do” socially acceptable things. We set our learners up for success by paying close attention to each learner’s wants, needs, interests, etc., and carefully building new skills.

Teaching new behavior with ABA

Positive reinforcement is a cornerstone at Behavior & Learning Solutions. When a behavior is reinforced, or rewarded, that specific behavior is more likely to occur again. This is one way to increase appropriate behavior.   

Decreasing problem behavior 

Eliminating reinforcement for problem behaviors is another element of effective ABA.  If a behavior is not reinforced, it is less likely to occur again. 

While reinforcing appropriate behavior and refraining from reinforcing inappropriate behavior are the cornerstones of ABA, applied behavior analysis uses a wide range of procedures, all based on a foundation of behavior analytic principles, to teach new behavior and eliminate the inappropriate behaviors that may interfere with every day life. 

An important element in eliminating problem behavior is teaching an appropriate replacement behavior(s). In addition to eliminating reinforcement for problem behaviors, we have to teach our learners what to do instead.

 What is Precision Teaching?

At BLS, we utilize the data-based decision-making methodology of Precision Teaching (PT). Precision Teaching is a method of carefully defining instructional targets and making daily decisions based on the data that we see on our charts. We use Precision Teaching's Standard Celeration Chart (SCC) to measure and visually analyze all of our data, including skill acquisition programs and problem behaviors that are targeted for decrease. Lastly, we use PT and the SCC because we know that “The Learner Knows Best.” If we see that our data is different than we expect, we change the program and do not blame the learner for not learning!