ABA method: characteristics, functioning and goals in therapy

One of the most applied methods in children with development and learning problems is the one proposed by Dr. Lovaas: the ABA method.

This methodology is based on behavioral analysis and since it was conceptualized back in the 1980s it has been showing that it is useful to improve the quality of life of children with ASD and PDD, getting them to acquire fundamental skills for their autonomy and it was worth.

Today we are going to explore in depth what the ABA method consists of, what skills are worked with, how is it applied and what people can benefit from this methodology.

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What is the ABA method?

The ABA method is a specific teaching method for children with learning difficulties. Its name is the acronym in English for Applied Behavior Analysis and aims to ensure that children with learning problems are able to learn those skills necessary to achieve optimal development and autonomy, thus providing them with a higher quality of learning. life.

To achieve this, first a specific and personalized schedule is established for each student in which all skills are included. that are considered useful for their proper development, highlighting those that help them to achieve autonomously other skills by their bill.

So that, the ABA method works especially the skills that have to do with attention, imitation and cooperation. Those that may be useful to improve communication and language are also included.

The three basic principles of the ABA method are:

• Analysis: the progress of the patient is evaluated based on recorded interventions and measures in the progress of it.
• Behavior: based on scientific principles of behavior.
• Applied: principles applied in the behaviors observed.

The ABA method has its origins in the United States, specifically in the research carried out by the Norwegian doctor of clinical psychology Ole Ivar Lovaas (1927-2010), working in the Department of Psychology at the University of Los Angeles (California) in 1987.

The doctor. Lovaas, who is considered one of the founders of effective autism therapy, demonstrated that behaviors in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) could be modified through his method ABA. In his study he showed that the majority of children who are treated with this method could benefit significantly.

This methodology is usually applied individually, and requires a certain time commitment intense, of at least 9 hours a week, although the ideal is to do therapy between 20 and 40 hours a week. It takes a long time to optimize the learning carried out in the context of therapy and to be able to cover as many skills as possible to work.

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How does the ABA method work?

The Applied Behavior Analysis method involves many techniques aimed at understanding problem behavior and changing the patient's behavior. ABA is a very flexible treatment if we consider the following:

• It can be adapted to meet the needs of each person
• It can be applied in various places: home, school, community ...
• Teaches skills that are useful for daily life
• Although it is preferred to apply individually, it can also be applied in a group

Positive reinforcement

One of the main strategies of the ABA method is positive reinforcement. When a behavior is followed by something that is perceived as pleasant (a reward or reward), the individual is more likely to repeat that behavior. As the behavior is repeated and it is always rewarded, it will be a matter of time before a behavioral change occurs in the right direction.

To achieve behavioral change, it is first necessary for the therapist to establish an objective behavior, a behavior that the patient is expected to carry out. Every time the individual performs that behavior or demonstrates a desired skill successfully, he will receive a reward. The reward or award must be meaningful to the individual As, for example, it can be a toy, a book, watch a video, be able to play with their toys, receive a compliment ...

These rewards, which are nothing more than positive reinforcement, encourage the individual to continue doing the desired behavior. Over time, this will lead to the individual changing their behavior significantly.

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Antecedent, behavior and consequence

An important part of the ABA method is understanding what in English has been called the behavioral ABC. Let's see what it consists of.

Antecedent

The antecedent is what happens just before the conduct is performed. This can be of a verbal type, such as an order or request, or it can also be of a physical type, such as a toy or an object. It can also be something immaterial, like a light, sound, a song... An antecedent can come from the environment, from another person or come from within the individual (p. g., a thought or feeling).

Behavior

A behavior is simply the response or lack of response of a person to an antecedent. This can be an action, a verbal response, or any other way of responding to the antecedent.

Consequence

The consequence is what comes directly after the conduct is performed. This may include positive reinforcement of the desired behavior, or the non-reaction of such behavior as an incorrect or inappropriate response.

Looking at these ABCs we can be used to understand why a behavior occurs and how different consequences affect how the behavior occurs over time.

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Examples

We can understand this by looking at the following two examples.

Example 1

• Background: the mother says "It's time to pick up the toys" at the end of the day.
• Behavior: the child yells "No!"
• Consequence: the mother picks up the toys and says "Goodbye, toys!"

The ABA method can help this child and his mother to change the behavior of the first, and as an example we can see the following.

Example 2

• Background: the mother says "It's time to pick up the toys" at the end of the day.
• Behavior: the child is reminded that she can ask "Can I play 5 more minutes?"
• Consequence: the mother says "Of course you can play 5 more minutes, but only 5."

As these guidelines are practiced, the child will be able to replace your past inappropriate behavior with one that is much more beneficial to you and it is less disruptive. By asking politely and calmly if she can play 5 more minutes, the child sees that with good words she can achieve more than by resisting picking up the toys.

Areas in which the ABA method helps

The ABA method contemplates the teaching of several areas important for the development of the child and focuses on teaching and enhancing basic skills so that the little one can function with a greater degree of autonomy in their daily life. Among these fundamental skills to work we find:

• Academic skills
• Social skills
• Cognitive habilyties
• Language and communication
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Drawing and writing
• Feeding Habits
• Personal hygiene
• Dress
• Adaptive play
• Household chores
• Impulse control

Who is it for?

The ABA method is especially used in boys and girls with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorders, since these two groups present notorious learning difficulties.

It has been seen that this methodology enhances the learning of people with these types of difficulties, since children with PDD and ASD do not learn in the same way as other children, presenting serious problems of both verbal and non-verbal communication, attention difficulties and, in addition, they are sometimes immersed in non-functional games and stereotypes.

It should be noted that the ABA methodology not only benefits the learning of children with these two pathologies, but also It has been found to be useful in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Down syndrome, behavior problems and more. The ABA principles are applicable to all people and their methodology also works in adults. This method helps anyone with special educational needs.