Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) is the use of these techniques and principles to bring about meaningful and positive change in behaviour. ABA” stands for Applied Behaviour Analysis.. ABA is a set of principles that form the basis for many behavioural treatments. ABA is based on the science of learning and behaviour. This science includes general “laws” about how behaviour works and how learning takes place. ABA therapy applies these laws to behaviour treatments in a way that helps to increase useful or desired behaviours. ABA also applies these laws to help reduce behaviour that may interfere with learning or behaviours that may harmful. ABA therapy is used to increase language and communication skills. It is also used to improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics. ABA can be used to help decrease problem behaviours.

 ABA treatment for autism is an evidenced based approach; it is individualized for each child focusing on the areas of learning specific to that child. Evidence based” means that ABA has passed scientific tests of its usefulness, quality, and effectiveness. ABA therapy includes many different techniques. All of these techniques focus on antecedents (what happens before a behaviour occurs) and on consequences (what happens after the behaviour). One technique is “positive reinforcement.” When a behaviour is followed by something that is valued (a
reward), that behaviour is more likely to be repeated. ABA uses positive reinforcement in a way that can be measured in order to help bring about meaningful behaviour change. A few types of therapies based on ABA principles are discrete trial learning, incidental teaching (or natural environment training), verbal behaviour, pivotal response training, and natural language paradigm.

 All of these ABA-based therapies:  – Are structured – Collect data for target skills
or behaviours – Provide positive strategies for changing responses and behaviours
ABA focuses on positive reinforcement strategies. It can help children who are having difficulty learning or acquiring new skills. It can also address problem behaviours that interfere with functioning through a process called “functional behavioural assessment.” The principles and methods of behaviour analysis have been applied effectively in many circumstances to develop a wide range of skills in learners with and without disabilities.