What is Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

Behaviour Analysis is a scientific approach to understanding behaviour.  ABA is the use of behaviour analytic methods and research findings to change socially important behaviours in meaningful ways.   ABA in the treatment of autistic children provides an intense, highly structured  education based initially on a one to one teacher/pupil ratio.   Each child has individualised programmes to address and build on identified skills and deficits.  Small segments of learning gradually build up into an understood and meaningful  "whole".   Gradually, children learn to focus their attention, to concentrate more effectively and thus to learn more easily.  

ABA has been thoroughly researched and proven effective.   No other therapeutic method has such authoritative research to demonstrate its effectiveness.

ABA is the only method of teaching that is scientifically proven to improve cognitive, communication, adaptive and social skills in young children with autism.

It enhances appropriate and useful behaviours and reduces problematic ones.   Every skill is broken down into small discrete steps and taught – often one to one in a  precise and systematic way.

It is statistically based with emphasis being on measurable goals and reliable data collection, which substantiates the progress of the child.

Autism is the fundamental learning disorder that disrupts intuitive learning.   Children with autism do not learn from the environment, they ARE capable of learning, but it takes a very structured environment, one where conditions are optimised for acquiring the same skills that typical children learn naturally.   ABA is all about the rules for setting up the environment to enable our children to learn.

Employing this method, children with autism are actively taught.  For example, how to pay attention, imitate, use communicative language, show and receive affection, and relate to other children – things that most typical children do not formally need to be taught.   Even spontaneity can be taught!

As stated in a recent editorial of the Medical Journal of Australia:

 "After three to four years of intensive applied behavioural analysis intervention, about half the preschool children with autism acquired near normal functioning in language, performance IQ and adaptability.   Ninety-two per cent of intervention children acquired some language.    Control children who received special education showed no gains in IQ or adaptability."

MJA 2003, 178 (9) 424 - 425