The Role of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in Autism Treatment: Exploring Effective Strategies and Techniques

In this new world of instant information at our fingertips, there is no shortage of advice available for families and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Knowing which advice to follow and which to ignore can seem monumental. Fortunately, there is a type of therapy designed to promote positive behavior change in children with autism: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA has been used for over 50 years to help children with autism behave in ways that enable them to lead happier, healthier lives. Though ABA can be implemented in many different environments, there are three typical locations where it is used every day to assist children with autism and their families.

Autism Centers

Autism centers provide a controlled environment in which children can learn new skills and behaviors while also getting valuable social interactions with peers. They will generally be staffed by multiple Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who create detailed behavior plans that are implemented by caring and knowledgeable Behavior Therapists (BTs). Children, generally ranging in ages from 2-17, can spend as much as 40 hours a week learning valuable skills through empirically validated techniques, such as:

Discrete Trial Training (DTT). DTT involves simplifying skills into manageable, ‘discrete’ parts and reinforcing small improvements in those skills with praise, edibles (candy, chips, etc.), or something else the child enjoys.
Pivotal Response Training (PRT). PRT focuses on reinforcing and targeting pivotal behaviors, such as motivation and self-initiation, to enhance overall communication and social skills in individuals on the autism spectrum.
Parallel Play. Parallel play is where a child with autism engages in activities alongside peers but does not actively interact or communicate with them, highlighting a developmental milestone in social skills.

Schools

ABA can also help children with autism in a more typical school setting. In consultation with teachers, school psychologists, and parents participating in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), BCBAs create behavior plans that help children adjust to the classroom environment. One ABA technique proven to work in this environment is a visual schedule. Visual schedules are visual representations of students’ planned activities during the day that can help them navigate the multiple transitions so difficult for many children with autism. The visual schedule is easily altered, so day-to-day changes to the schedule can be made quickly to allow the student to see and adjust to them. Techniques and tools that have been successfully implemented in a school setting include:

Token Economies. Token economies are a behavior management system that utilizes tokens or symbols (e.g., stickers, points) as positive reinforcement. These tokens are given as rewards for desired behaviors and can later be exchanged for items, privileges, or activities to encourage and reinforce appropriate conduct.
Good Behavior Game. This group-based behavior intervention promotes positive behavior and reduces disruptive actions among children. In this game, students work together to earn points or rewards by following rules and displaying appropriate behaviors, fostering a cooperative and supportive learning environment.
Assistive Technology. This refers to devices, tools, or software designed to support individuals with disabilities in acquiring new skills, promoting independence, and enhancing their overall functioning.

Home

Children with autism and their parents can also get support from ABA practitioners directly in their homes. Much like the setup in autism centers, BCBAs create behavior plans that will be implemented by themselves, behavior therapists, or parents directly. Parent training (usually by a BCBA) is a key component to successful applications of ABA in the home, as parents are the ones spending most of the time with their children. Some successful ABA techniques that have been extensively utilized in the home are:

Functional Communication Training (FCT). This technique involves teaching children appropriate ways of communicating their wants and needs while ignoring or redirecting inappropriate attempts. A Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is one way to teach functional communication to children who have difficulty communicating verbally. A PECS system usually involves teaching the child to hand small pictures of items they enjoy (like a favorite food or toy) to the parent or therapist to indicate that they want that item.
Shaping. This technique is used to teach new behaviors by reinforcing successive approximations toward the desired behavior. It involves rewarding children for demonstrating behaviors that progressively resemble the target behavior, gradually guiding them to achieve the intended response.
Chaining. This is a method that breaks down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps. It involves teaching each step separately and then systematically linking those steps together until the child can perform the entire sequence of behaviors successfully, promoting the acquisition of more intricate skills.

Conclusion

Though there is always room for differing opinions and alternate techniques in the treatment of children with autism, ABA’s extensive history in providing empirically validated solutions should keep it at the top of any parent or teacher’s mind when thinking of treatment plans for a child with autism. ABA can be implemented in every kind of environment imaginable and by a wide variety of people, regardless of education or background. Since the techniques it utilizes are constantly being researched and updated, caregivers can rest assured that the very latest science informs the practice. Though some of the behavior issues faced by people with autism can seem pretty daunting, with the help of ABA and a team of supportive professionals and caregivers, these individuals can still live happy, meaningful lives.

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About the Author: Blain Hockridge is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 8 years of experience working as a case supervisor for autism centers across California. In 2018, He received his M.A. in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at California State University. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and playing basketball.

Photo by Ben Mullins on Unsplash

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