By Joan Alsina Ferrando – VICON Method therapeutic team
Without good to understand the ABA methodology, its origins, bases and foundations, for its implementation, it is necessary to consult an extensive bibliography, and here we offer a brief introduction.
First of all, it is essential to understand that the acronyms in English “ABA”, correspond to “Applied Behavior Analysis”, or what is the same, ““Applied Behavior Analysis” in Spanish. Specifically, It is a discipline or scientific approach that studies the environmental variables that influence socially significant behavior and develops and implements practical and applicable procedures for changing behavior. (Baer, Wolf and Risley, 1968).
The ABA methodology is in any case a evidence-based scienceIn this regard, there are replicated studies that allow us to understand the theoretical basis and also its practice. Currently, there are internationally recognized qualifications that endorse professionals dedicated to this field.
Baer and his colleagues (1968) published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) the seven dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis, these being the following:
1.- Behavioral: The intervention must be based on observable and quantifiable behaviors.
2.- Applied: Professionals in the field should focus on socially significant behaviors.
3.- Analytical: Each intervention must demonstrate a functional relationship between the procedure implemented and the result in the modification of behavior (in its improvement in any case).
4.- Technological: A procedure should function like a "recipe," described in detail to ensure it can be replicated, thus providing clarity and precision for its implementation.
5.- Conceptually systematic: Interventions must be based on the basic principles of behavior analysis.
6.- Cash: The intervention must provide an improvement in the individual's quality of life to be considered "effective."
7.- Generalizable: Behavioral change is resistant to the passage of time, as it is shown in contexts other than the training context, and extends to other behaviors.
While the ABA methodology as a model is not perfect, it is constantly evolving, both in terms of replicability studies and in terms of specific aspects of its practice, such as studies related to specific areas of development. Therefore, we should, or even highly recommend, aspire to ensure that any intervention applied in the field of behavior is based on these seven foundations and that its practice is scientifically proven.
J.Alsina, May 5, 2021.
You can read other articles related to the ABA Methodology here:
- Why is the ABA intervention model so effective?
- Why and how should ABA learning be generalized?
- What's behind an ABA Intervention Program?
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