ABA

Applied Behaviour Analysis Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a scientific set of principles which examines how environmental events can shape, change, increase and decrease behaviour. The emphasis in ABA is teaching skills which are functional to the individual and include:

• Communication
• Self help and independent skills
• Play skills
• Academics
• Community based activities (shopping, swimming)
• Following instructions
• Answering questions

New skills are broken down into small, achievable steps. The use of effective prompting and reinforcement ensures that learning is a positive experience for the child. Data is taken and analysed to monitor the child’s learning and guide decision making ABA is also used to reduce unwanted behaviour such as:

• Aggression
• Property destruction
• Absconding
• Screaming, shouting, crying
• Self-injurious behaviour

By measuring such unwanted behaviour over time it is possible to determine the causes and the consequences of the behaviour. A plan can then be put in place that includes manipulating environmental variables that are contributing to the behaviour and teaching appropriate replacement behaviours. As with teaching new skills, data is taken to ensure that the plan in place is effective. The Footbridge use the following assessments to help develop individualised programmes and plans:

• Verbal Behaviour Milestone Assessment and Placement Programme (VB-MAPP)
• The Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills – Revised (ABLLS-R)
• The Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS)
• The Inventory of Good Learning Repertoires