Applied Behavior Analysis
Definition of ABA
“Applied behavior analysis is the science in which tactics derived from the principles of behavior are applied systematically to improve socially significant behavior and experimentation is used to identify the variables responsible for behavior change.” 1
1 “Textbook definition” as stated by Cooper, Heron, & Heward in Applied Behavior Analysis 2nd Edition, 2007
Where do we begin?
Children come to TCI with diagnoses of autism, pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), or other behavior disorders. We will then perform our own brief in-house assessment and meet with the family so that, together, we can decide if our program is reasonably calculated to meet the student’s needs.
Programs, based on individual student strengths and weaknesses, are developed by the team. The programs that result in our collaborative process are practiced daily in most cases. Many of these goals target areas such as communication (receptive and expressive language skills), academic, and social skills. Learn units (Greer & McDonough, 1999; Greer, 2002) are the unit of measurement used which also provide a basis for instructional problem solving, analysis, and accountability systems at TCI.
The five areas of our curricula are:
- Verbal Behavior and Communication skills (i.e. requesting desired items, labeling objects or event in the environment, basic listener literacy, asking and responding to questions)
- Academics (i.e. reading with fluency and comprehension, writing, mathematics, and science to name a few)
- Social skills (i.e. appropriate play, greeting, turn taking, cooperative play skills, conversations)
- Self-Sufficiency (i.e. independent work, activity schedules, activities of daily living, and appropriate classroom and school behaviors)
- Community of Reinforcers (i.e. expanding one’s appropriate leisure time skills, and preference of age-appropriate activities)
More about ABA
- Put another way, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can be described as the science of the behavior of the individual.
- ABA is the most documented and studied approach to the treatment of children with autism in the research literature. (see Links for additional references on the subject matter)
- Consistency of instruction is ensured through Board Certified Behavior Analyst Supervisors and frequent observations.
- Families are included into the program every step of the way to provide them with support as they receive guidance from professionals and to provide a bridge between home and school.
ABA @ TCI
Please see Training Services and Professionals for more information about our beloved science of ABA.
TCI was established in 2003 as the first school in Hong Kong for children within the Autistic Spectrum.