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Maximizing motivation is an essential component of effective teaching and behavior reduction; therefore, preference assessments can help identify those items and activities that will be most motivating for individuals with autism. In this issue of Clinical Corner, Niall Toner shares why preference assessments are so important and provides an excellent overview of the various types…
My child seems to put everything into his mouth-paper, stones, leaves, plastic, toys… What can I do about this? Answered by James Mulick, PhD Ohio State University Pica refers to the apparent appetite for non-food items with no nutritional value. It presents a problem when the items are poisonous, pose the risk of infection, are…
I am a relatively new provider, working towards my Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)™. I am a bit confused about the different portions of programming. We have something called a “maintenance section,” but I am not really sure what that means? Bobby Newman, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA Proud Moments ABA When I was first learning about implementing Applied…
I am the parent of a student with autism who has developed some challenging behavior at school and the team has suggested a more formal assessment. What is meant by “functional analysis?” When should this be done and who should do it? Answered by Robert LaRue, PhD, BCBA-D Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center and Rutgers Center…
My 8-year-old son is currently enrolled in a school-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) program. We are in the process of moving into a new district and are being presented with an array of options. What are the pros and cons of a school-based ABA program versus a center-based ABA program? Mary Jane Weiss, PhD, BCBA…
What are some of the key elements of setting up an evidence-based program? Intervention choices are guided by published research in peer-reviewed journals. Task force findings related to evidence-basedprocedures are also considered. Providers have the proper credentials and experience, as well as a respect for the scientific literature. Those who carry out the actual intervention…
Description: Reinforcement systems are methods to provide consequences following particular behaviors. The purpose of these consequences is to make it more likely that these behaviors will occur again in the future. There are several examples of reinforcement systems: token economies, behavior contracts, and group-oriented contingencies. In a token economy, a person is taught that an…
Bloom, S. E., Iwata, B. A., Fritz, J. N., Roscoe, E. M., & Carreau, A. B. (2011). Classroom application of a trial-based functional analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44(1), 19-31. Reviewed by: Laurie Brophy, LCSW, BCBA Why research this topic? Researchers have shown that interventions for problematic behaviors are safest and most effective…
Updated by Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA Association for Science in Autism Treatment Description: Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the application of the science of behavior analysis to real-world problems with the goal of effecting lasting and positive change in socially important behavior (Baer, et al., 1968; Fennell & Dillenburger, 2014). At the heart…