How to ABA

ABA uses various strategies designed to promote positive behavior change. One strategy, the token economy system, is pivotal for effectively reinforcing desired behaviors. Whether you’re a seasoned ABA practitioner, an educator, or a parent, understanding how to implement a token economy system can greatly enhance your approach to behavior management and skill development. In our newest blog post, we take an in-depth look at how token economy systems can transform your ABA practice. Find it and get our token board here: https://lnkd.in/ezh5j8m7 or in this newsletter!

There are lots of data collection options. So which do we recommend? 🔤 Data is important as part of the functional assessment process. But it should only be needed for a few days. It’s a lot of work! 🔤 Data will also give you information about frequency and duration which are important baseline measures. Then, once there’s a plan in place, you can drop the ABC data and just collect frequency and/or duration data on the behavior. Is it important to take data on each topography of the behavior? Or take data on intensity? Should it be done on a partial interval recording data sheet? Or momentary time sampling? These are all clinical judgments that you can answer based on what information will be most helpful. What would tell you if the behavior is improving or not?

Graduated guidance is an essential teaching strategy within ABA, focused on reducing and eventually eliminating physical prompts. This approach ensures learners gain the skills to perform tasks independently, fostering self-reliance and confidence. By following these tips, practitioners, and parents can effectively implement graduated guidance, ensuring a supportive and productive learning environment. Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/eiMVXfu. You can get our prompt hierarchy visual for FREE. Drop a and we'll send it right over!

ABA is a data-driven and evidence-based field. The 7 dimensions of ABA are the core principles that ensure effectiveness in each treatment plan. When choosing goals, doing assessments, or analyzing data, it’s almost like a constant underlying foundation of everything we do. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/dSKcgbmb Get our 5 must-have ABA program list that you can apply the 7 dimensions to at no cost in this newsletter!

Were you ever drowning under paperwork? ✔️ Stuck with a tricky case and no one to help?✔️ Feeling lonely and overwhelmed? ✔️ It doesn’t have to be that way! Instead of reinventing the wheel with each client, join our supportive network of thousands of ABA professionals. Access printable programs, data sheets, resources, and access mentorship meetings! Oh ya, 60 on-demand CEUs FREE for pro members! What are you waiting for? Howtoaba.com/join

Not sure what to do for your first meeting with a client? Our advice is to: ✨ Ask before your visit what the client's favorite things are ✨ Bring a few of your own toys so that they’re new and exciting! ✨ It doesn’t have to be fancy! So many simple toys can include great opportunities to show skill ✨ Have fun! This is not the time to be filling out an assessment or on your computer For more intake visit tips, our recorded CEU on the intake assessment is still available in the membership at howtoaba.com/events.

Teaching body parts is an essential skill we must teach our learners. They get hurt just like we do, but often have difficulty expressing when and where they are in pain. In this podcast episode, we dive into some of the best ways to teach body parts and identify pain. Check it out and get our body parts program in this newsletter!

Often we are tempted to “teach a lesson” during or after a challenging behavior. Like, “He shouldn’t get to play at gym if he just had a meltdown.” Or “She should clean up the mess and apologize for what she did.” What if our perspective is that the student was really struggling in that moment and wasn’t getting their basic needs met. Often, these behaviors are a flight or fight response to what they perceive as danger. Yes, it can still have a function but they may lose control of their ability to prevent or stop it That’s where we come in. We can: 👍 support 👍 empathize 👍 co-regulate while also not 👎teaching a lesson 👎 ignoring 👎 punishing What would you need if you were having a hard time?

Creating a positive learning environment is essential for students, especially those with behavior challenges. One of the most effective ways to encourage desired behaviors in the classroom is through reinforcement. As ABA professionals, it’s essential we implement reinforcement systems that genuinely change the likelihood of future behavior. In our newest blog post, we’ll explore strategies for developing a robust classroom reinforcement system, detailing steps and practical tips to ensure success. Find it and get our token board in this post!

Assessments are not meant to be curriculum. But sometimes when we translate assessment results to programming the programs can become cookie cutter in nature. So how do we make sure when writing programs that they are individualized to our learners and that our programs encourage teaching across operants? Join us live on Thursday August 8th at 12 pm ET for a 2-hour live CEU event where we discuss how to create individualized programming that encourages teaching across operants.  This CEU is presented by BCBAs Shira Karpel and Shayna Gaunt. You can earn 2 learning CEUs for ACE, Q-ABA, or IBAO. To join us live at this event OR to watch the recording asynchronously,  go to howtoaba.com/CEU.