What is Applied Behavior Analysis? (ABA)

A notable treatment approach for people with an ASD is called applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABA has become widely accepted among health care professionals and used in many schools and treatment clinics. ABA encourages positive behaviors and discourages negative behaviors in order to improve a variety of skills. The child’s progress is tracked and measured.

There are different types of ABA. The following are some examples:

• Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
  DTT is a style of teaching that uses a series of trials to teach each step of a desired behavior or response. Lessons are broken down into their simplest parts and positive reinforcement is used to reward correct answers and behaviors. Incorrect answers are ignored.
• Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI)
  This is a type of ABA for very young children with an ASD, usually younger than five, and often younger than three.
• Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
  PRT aims to increase a child’s motivation to learn, monitor his own behavior, and initiate communication with others. Positive changes in these behaviors should have widespread effects on other behaviors.
• Verbal Behavior Intervention (VBI)
  VBI is a type of ABA that focuses on teaching verbal skills.