what in the world is aba?

HEYO! I've been gone for a while, I know and I'm sorry. 

I've been very busy studying for my Board's exam. I graduated in May from my master's program and have been working overtime to complete my clinical hours. Earlier this month I submitted to the Behavior Analysts Certification Board and was approved to sit for my boards exam. Two weeks ago..... I PASSED! I am officially a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. 

As most of you know, I have been a special education teacher for the past 4 years. Teaching exceptional populations was all I could dream of doing since I was a kid. The day I got into my special education program will go down as one of my best days, and getting my first teaching job was even better. However, since I started my studies, I found a new love; Applied Behavior Analysis. 

Most people [my family and friends included] don't know what Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is. If you know me, you know that I can't help myself from educating people, especially when it's something I am passionate about. So. Here I am; explaining my new career field, to all of those interested!

To start off, WHAT IS ABA? 

You know that one from guy high school psychology that used operant conditioning to train pigeons and rats to push buttons and spin in circles? That man, B.F. Skinner, is the father of radical behaviorism. Radical behaviorism is an area of behavioral science where behavior is regarded as a function of its environment, rather than a result of some form of free will or feelings. Knowing that the principles of behaviorism could be applied to teach humans, the field of Applied Behavior Analysis was born. 

Applied: provide meaningful change in the lives of our clients and families

Behavior: targeting observable and measurable behaviors

Analysis: analytic in nature, visual interpretation of data, make data based decisions 

So much of ABA overlaps with effective teaching methods used in special education and behavior management in schools, as well as common parenting and dog training methods. Here is a bit more explanation of those guiding principles! 

BEHAVIOR

Anything a living thing can do. 

 

REINFORCEMENT

The guiding principle. 

The golden nugget.

Reinforcement in ABA is not the same thing as you may know it to be. It isn't always candy and stickers and compliments. Reinforcement occurs when something is presented or taken away immediately after a behavior that increases future probability of the behavior occurring.

A dog lover's example:

I pat on the couch quick and energetically and ask Maverick, our perfect golden retriever pup, if he wants to come cuddle with me [behavior.]  Maverick jumps up on the couch and snuggles right in. [reinforcement] Now every time Maverick walks by the couch, I ask the question and pat like a crazy dog mom. 

PUNISHMENT

Just as important as reinforcement and just as misunderstood. In the field of applied behavior analysis, it is understood to be the inverse of reinforcement. Punishment occurs when presented immediately after a behavior that decreases future probability of the behavior occurring.

My real-life example:

I ordered a couple of expensive coats from the North Face. When I got my package, I was so excited and vigorously opened the box with a sharp knife [behavior.] The knife punctured the coat and down feathers went everywhere [punishment.] Now I do not open any more packages with sharp knives. 

EXTINCTION

Withholding reinforcement for behaviors that previously resulted in reinforcement. 

A hypothetical example:

Every time I saw my mailman I would wave and smile and he would return the gesture [previous reinforcement.] Yesterday when I waved, the mailman didn't wave back and continued on his way without missing step [no reinforcement]. I am less likely to wave today when he comes by to deliver my mail. 

Behavior Analysts use these basic principles (and MANY, MANY more) to make socially significant behavior change by teaching helpful, appropriate behaviors and decreasing harmful, inappropriate behaviors. This application is accompanied by intense data collection and strong partnerships with parents, teachers, and other caretakers. 

A typical day in the life of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst could consist of data analysis, designing programs, meeting with parents and clients, training behavior technicians, or working directly with clients [one-on-one, or in alongside a behavior tech.]  BCBA's address nearly all skills in a person's life; language development, academic skills, life skills, personal care, job skills, and social skills to name a few!

Clients can be anyone, really; people with disabilities, people in geriatric facilities, corporate businesses, animals, a local school district, the list goes on and on. As you may have guessed, my personal area of emphasis is children with autism and other developmental disabilities. 

There are a lot of similarities between special education and behavior analysis. Both fields teach new skills, manage behavior, work with exceptional populations, and work with paraprofessionals/technicians. 

As for the contrasting points, behavior analysts working with people with disabilities are usually funded through insurance or directly from clients. Earnings are much more comparable to the work put in. Behavior analysts also need a Master's degree, while teaching degrees vary depending on the state. When working with clients, a behavior analyst usually works in 1-on-1 sessions while teachers have many more students to observe simultaneously. A large focus of behavior analysts is data analysis, so they often train their technicians to implement programs while behavior analysts supervise. The paperwork for special education teachers is overwhelming at best, while behavior analysts' paperwork is flexible and functional.

The joys of teaching are plentiful, however the impact and workday of a behavior analyst is much more functional and appealing to me. I will be able to work all day doing what I love without the pressure and stress of being a special education teacher. I feel that I can support and teach my clients in a much more effective way and really reach my professional potential in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. 

I love this new field and am so proud to consider myself part of this incredible community. If anyone has more questions I am more than happy to share some information!

Officially, 

McKenzie Gunter, MA, BCBA