Applied Behavior Analysis

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Applied Behavior Analysis
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History-People

• People
• Skinner
• Father of operant conditioning
• Used stimulus, response and rewards
• Lovaas
• Did work with autistic children and language

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History- Models Operant Conditioning

• Principles
• 1. Task Analysis
• 2. Shaping
• 3. Reinforcing
• 4. Practice
• Curriculum
• 1. Direct Instruction
• 2.Mastery Learning
• 3. Programmed Learning
• Beliefs about Disabilities
• 1. Learning is an observable behavior
• 2. L.D. Students Behave Differently

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History- Models Cognitive Behaviors

• Principles
• 1.measuring
• 2.self-monitoring
• 3.self-evaluation
• 4.self-regulation
• Curriculum
• 1. Charting Performance
• 2. Self Correcting
• 3. Computer Assisted Instruction
• Beliefs about disabilities
• L.D. students experience difficulty in regulating
  and monitoring behavior

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Definition

• Applied practice rather than research,
  Behavior Analysis understanding what leads to
  (or does not lead to) new skills.

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Definition

• ABA is applied, by dealing with important, real
  world problems.
• Behavioral, for focusing on the things that
  people actually do.
• Analytical by incorporating measurement
  procedures and decision-making rules for deciding
  whether a given procedure is effective with a
  given student.
• Technological because it clearly specifies the
  teaching strategies being used.
• Conceptually semantic for incorporating
  procedures derived from learning theory.
• Effective procedures, because it produces changes
  large enough to have practical value for a
  student.
• And lastly ABA generalizes effects.

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ABA is

• Intensive one on one communication and
  instruction.
• 40 hrs per week, year round, for 2 or more years.
  
• Target Behaviors are broken down into smaller
  recordable tasks to accomplish a greater task as
  a whole.
• Done through repetition and application of
  reinforcement.
• Comprehensive intervention, meaning that the
  skills that are learned are urged to be used
  everywhere and every time possible.
• The goal is to teach the child the prerequisites
  needed to learn naturally at an early age.

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Process

• What is the function of the undesired behavior?
• What is the goal behavior? Describe as specific
  as possible
• The behavior must be countable and observable
• Goals and objectives are set for the individual
  based on their specific need and ability.
• Progress is judged and measured. Ex how often,
  how long, intensity, and under what
  circumstances.
• Analyzing the data collected. Generally in a
  chart.
• Modifications are made to improve progress until
  the desired behavior is reached.
• Prevention
• desired behavior is used as a building block for
  other behaviors

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Strategies and Applications

• Discrete Trial Teaching accomplishing a single
  task at a time to reach a higher goal
• ABC A antecedent (instruction) B behavior C
  consequence
• Hand Over Hand instructions given three times by
  the instructor then the learner attempts the
  task. If an incorrect answer is given twice then
  instructions are given again. The process is
  repeated until the behavior is learned.

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Strategies and applications

• Behavioral Charting (a way of charting behaviors
  before during and after intervention to see
  effectiveness)
• Token Economy (earning points to gain privileges
  or items)
• Positive Reinforcement something given or
  applied for a behavior
• Negative Reinforcement something removed for a
  behavior

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Criticism of ABA

• Association with bribery and food or material
  reinforcers
• students make no attempt to become more
  independent
• Association with Punishment
• Punishment may be necessary to help student
  obtain the skills, independence, and social
  acceptability
• Sometimes used inappropriately and not
  effectively
• Association with Consequences Rather than
  Antecedents
• Many people think that consequences is the only
  way to control behavior
• Manipulating antecedents is more natural and
  result in more enduring behavior changes

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Criticism of ABA

• Association with Animal Research
• Many people believe behavioral theory is based on
  animal research and not appropriate to use on
  humans
• Extensive research demonstrates the
  applicability with humans
• Behavioral as a Philosophy of Life
• Skinner believed that there is no such thing as
  free will we controlled by our environment
• You do not have buy the behaviorism as a
  philosophy of life in order to make effective use
  of behavioral changes

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Criticism of ABA

• Behavioral Procedures are Dehumanizing and
  Authoritarian
• Procedures are too forceful and thus dehumanizing
  to children
• Any technique can be used this way
• Good teachers know how to incorporate techniques
  in an ethical fashion
• Behavioral Procedures do not work in Real world
  situations
• Procedures take too much time and too many
  people to work correctly
• Teaching students to generalize procedures help
  them to adjust in the real world