Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA)

WHAT IS ABA?

ABA is a behavioural treatment programme widely used with children with Autism to improve social skills. Behaviours are taught through an intensive skill training system of rewards and consequences (often referred to as ‘discrete trials’) ABA is also used with adults as well as those with other types of pervasive developmental disorders. Dr. Ivar Lovaas, a psychologist, first applied ABA to autism at the Psychology Department at UCLA in 1987. The Lovaas Institute explains that ABA is based on scientific principles which are applied to socially significant behaviour thereby measuring progress and interventions are modified.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Lovaas introduced the Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) which teaches skills that children need to acquire to be able to learn. Simple behavioural actions, such as how to copy and understand, may have to be taught to a child with autism. Each skill is broken down and taught in small steps. ABA starts with "discrete trials" therapy. A typical scenario would involve the therapist asking the subject for a particular behaviour (e.g. picking up an object). If the child complies, he is given a "reinforcer" or reward. This would usually be in the form of a food treat or a favourite toy. If the child does not comply, he does not receive the reward, and the trial is repeated. This method of focusing on a few key behaviours that may help the child in a wider way is generally referred to as ‘pivotal response training.’ Another method of ABA programme is referred to as ‘verbal behaviour’ which uses fun ways to get the child to speak. Verbal behaviour uses the standard methods of ABA teaching but has a different conceptual analysis of language. Verbal behaviour techniques can help nonverbal children start to talk. Basic speech will allow children to express their needs which should help to decrease frustration.

Children under three receive a modified form of ABA which is much closer to play therapy than to discrete trials. As behaviours are slowly mastered, the children will be removed out of the classroom or home setting and into more natural settings, where they can practice and adapt their new skills to the real world. This is called ‘generalization.’ ABA works on any challenging behaviours by first looking at why the child behaves that way. ABA therapy may last between 20-40 hours a week.

DOES IT WORK?

Studies have shown that with many hours of ABA from trained therapists, children’s speech is greatly improved as well as the results on tests of intelligence. It has to be noted that ABA varies according to the individual differences of each child, therefore what may work for one child may not necessarily work for another. Behavioural intervention has been demonstrated to be effective for all children with Autism. One key factor in determining the effectiveness of ABA is the level of intensity and density of the training. Another is the involvement of the family in helping the child. Experts agree that the earlier the ABA takes place in the child’s life the better. Early usually means between the ages of 1 and 7 years

PROBLEMS WITH ABA

• It can be very expensive – Both therapists and clinical supervisors are required, with therapists working for 20-40 hours a week.
• Danger of producing 'robot-like' behavior in children, as children are conditioned to behave in a certain manner.
• Its use of punishment to reduce or eliminate problem behaviour has been criticized
• It also has been suggested that ‘naturalized teaching’ is more effective than ABA and discrete trials for improving language. Naturalized teaching mimics the use of language in the natural environment, focusing on all the functions of language including manding (requesting), tacting (labeling), and  receptive language (physical manipulation based on commands or requests)

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