The ABA Dictionary: Common Terms and Their Meanings
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a helpful, science-based approach that supports people in learning new skills and managing challenging behaviors. While it's widely used for children with autism, it can be a great tool for anyone who wants to improve their social, communication, or everyday life skills. ABA has a lot of specific terms that might feel confusing at first, but don’t worry! This ABA dictionary breaks down the most common ABA terms in a simple and easy-to-understand way, so you can feel confident as you explore them.
Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): A team member who has a Master or Doctorate degree, studying the science of behavior. They will guide your child’s learning based on written goals and will coach the team working directly with your child.
Registered Behavior Technician (RBT): A team member who has studied and passed a national exam. They work under a BCBA and give direct one-on-one support with your child.
Neurodivergent-affirming care: An approach of care that celebrates everyone's uniqueness and focuses on creating a world where everyone feels respected, supported, and receives the best of care.
Example: A teacher notices a student focuses better when they have a fidget toy. Instead of telling them to stop fidgeting, the teacher encourages using the fidget toy as a way to help them concentrate.
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Assent-based ABA therapy: This method of therapy makes sure individuals feel comfortable and have a say in what and how they learn. If they don’t like something, intervention strategies are adjusted to fit their needs and wishes.
Example: An RBT is instructing a child to sit at a table, but the child turns away from the table. Instead of forcing the child to sit, the RBT offers choices of other places to sit (i.e., bean bag, carpet square, exercise ball)
Discrete Trial (DTT): This is a teaching technique that involves breaking down skills into their most basic parts and teaching those skills in a structured environment.
Example: A child is learning to name colors. An RBT holds up a red block and says “What color is it?”. They repeat this over time until the child consistently answers correctly and on their own.
Natural Environment Training (NET): This is a method of teaching skills through play. It uses real-life moments to practice skills.
Example: While playing with peers, a child reaches for a toy that a peer has. The RBT uses this opportunity to teach the child how to ask for a turn.
Antecedent: What happens immediately before a behavior.
Example: A teacher tells a child to clean up their toys.
Behavior: An action that can be seen and measured.
Example: The child puts away the toys.
Consequence: What happens after the behavior.
Example: The teacher praises the child for cleaning up.
Positive Reinforcement: Something positive is added after a behavior, making it more likely it will happen again in the future.
Example: Giving a sticker for finishing homework or getting an allowance for doing household chores.
Negative Reinforcement: Something negative or unpleasant is removed following the behavior, making it more likely that the behavior will happen again in the future.
Example: Putting your seatbelt on to stop the car’s beeping or taking medicine to get rid of a headache.
Positive Punishment: Adding something unpleasant following a behavior, making it less likely that the behavior will happen again in the future.
Example: Extra homework for talking in class or unpleasant flavored nail polish for biting nails.
Negative Punishment: Taking away something enjoyable following a behavior, making it less likely that the behavior will happen again in the future.
Example: Taking away video games for slamming a door or removing TV privileges for refusal to complete a task.
Extinction: When a behavior is no longer rewarded, with the goal of decreasing the behavior from occurring again.
Example: A child whines for candy, but the parent ignores them. Over time, the child stops whining.
Prompting: Giving a hint or help to encourage the correct behavior. Different levels of prompting can be used, such as pointing, showing the action, providing a spoken prompt, or using hand-over-hand guidance.
Example: A child is pointing to indicate the desire for a ball. An adult says “ball” for the child to then repeat, teaching the appropriate request.
Modeling: Demonstrating the behavior for the individual so they can see the behaviors and then try it themselves.
Example: An adult shows a child waving to teach the skill of waving goodbye.
Shaping: Teaching a skill by rewarding smaller approximations of the goal and increasing the expectations over time.
Example: First, praising a child for holding a spoon. Then increase the expectation to hold the spoon and also scooping food. Adding more steps until they are independently eating with a spoon.
Chaining: Breaking a task into small steps and teaching them one at a time.
Example: Teaching handwashing step by step: (1) Turn on water, (2) Get soap, (3) Rub hands, etc.
Generalization: When a skill is taught it one setting and the individual demonstrates the skill in different settings and with different people.
Example: A child learns to say "hello" at home, at school, and in a store.
Maintenance: When a learned skill continues over time without needing extra help.
Example: A child learns to tie their shoes and can still do it months later.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP): An IEP is a custom plan made for each individual student who needs extra support in school. The plan helps to make sure they get the tools, resources, and guidance they need to succeed.
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP): A detailed plan that describes how to reduce challenging behaviors and teach new skills.
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA): A process used to identify the purpose of a behavior by observing it occur and gathering information.
Differential Reinforcement: Giving rewards for positive behaviors while ignoring or discouraging challenging behaviors. This helps to encourage the desired behavior while decreasing the challenging behavior.
Example: A child often runs in the hallway. The teacher ignores the running behavior but provides praise when the child is walking nicely.
Mand Training: Teaching someone how to ask for what they want.
Example: A child is taught to say "juice" instead of crying when thirsty.
Token Economy: A system where an individual earns tokens for desired behavior(s) and exchanges them for a reward.
Example: Earning five stars on a reward chart to get an ice cream bar.
Pairing: A technique used to build a positive relationship and increase an individual’s motivation to respond to tasks.
Example: Playing hide and seek and using a “monster voice” with a child who enjoys it, prior to asking them to complete a task.
Bloomwell’s ROOT Program: This program is designed to involve caregivers in their child’s ABA journey. It provides training to help support effective outcomes for the family and engages the caregivers in their child’s daily programs within the clinic. The goal is to provide caregivers with the tools to help their child succeed in their daily life!
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ABA can seem complex, but once you understand the key terms, it becomes much easier to use in everyday life. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or therapist, these strategies can help encourage positive behaviors and meaningful learning.
