What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis is the use of behavioral methods to measure behavior, teach functional skills, and evaluate progress. AST uses Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques in all of its programs. In fact, AST uses a blend of different ABA strategies individualized for each child’s intervention needs. The goal is for an enduring change that will result in an enhanced quality of life.

ABA approaches such as discrete trial training (DTT), Pivotal Response Training (PRT), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Self-Management, and a range of social skills training techniques are all critical in teaching children with autism. AST works with families in deciding on the right mix for the individual child. Ultimately, the goal is to find a way of motivating the child using a number of different strategies and positive reinforcement techniques to ensure that the sessions are enjoyable and productive.

Discrete Trial Training
Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is at the heart of every good ABA program. There is strong evidence that these procedures produce the most rapid gains in developmental successes. In most cases the ABA program begins with highly structured discrete trials to build “learning to learn” skills that help the child attend and respond successfully to the teacher. There is not a single DTT program or curriculum. The most important skill for an ABA therapist is the ability to individualize the program and make rapid programmatic changes as the child improves.

Play-Based ABA Approaches
AST believes it is important to go beyond typical discrete trial methods as the child builds a larger repertoire of communication skills. Play-based ABA approaches gradually expand sessions into more loose play routines while maintaining the critical components of the ABA session. This helps prevent prompt dependency and develops better generalization. Evidence-based ABA approaches such as Pivotal Response Training (PRT) have strong research support in their ability to produce broader developmental gains through play-based methods. PRT incorporates principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to teach behaviors that “seem to be central to wide areas of functioning”. PRT targets motivation by getting the child to respond more and more to expectations to communicate and socialize. The interventionist makes it easy for the child to receive desired items and interactions, and gradually shapes more and more effective communication, play, and social skills. A lack of social motivation is hallmark to autism. Children with autism typically lack the motivation to learn new tasks and participate in their social environment. A lack of motivation may be observed as temper tantrums, crying, noncompliance, inattention, fidgeting, staring, attempting to leave the teaching situation, or lethargy. The use of PRT can increase the motivation of children with autism, therefore, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of the teaching environment. PRT uses turn-taking, child choice, modeling, shaping, and direct reinforcement to increase appropriate social and communication behaviors in children with autism. For some children with autism a blend of Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and PRT is necessary to maximize the child’s learning potential. The right proportion of intervention techniques is decided through close supervision

Combining Interventions
Both play-based ABA methods and traditional Discrete Trial Training (DTT) incorporate the major principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to teach skills to individuals with Autism or other Developmental Disabilities. Most Pivotal Response Training programs utilize discrete trials as needed. AST’s programs are flexible enough to allow for the benefits of both types of ABA approaches, to individualize each child’s programs. It is now standard practice in the field of ABA for programs to incorporate play based methods with highly structured DTT methods to meet the child’s level of progress. This is even stressed in the methodological descriptions of recent Lovaas replication projects. At AST the process of fitting the program to the child’s needs is discussed with each family, so that parents understand the benefits of PRT and DTT and how each will be applied.