The document provides an overview of applied behavioral analysis (ABA) as presented in a new hire orientation. It defines ABA as using scientific methods to study and change socially significant behaviors by understanding their relationships to environmental factors. The orientation covers ABA principles and techniques including reinforcement, prompting, measuring behaviors, respondent conditioning, and emphasizing positive interventions over punishment. It also discusses creating environments that promote appropriate behaviors and make problem behaviors irrelevant, inefficient or ineffective.

1. Applied Behavioral Analysis Macheo Payne Lincoln Child Center 2011 New Hire Orientation

2. What is ABA? Applied Behavior Analysis ( ABA ) is the science of controlling and predicting human behavior. Behavior analysts reject the use of hypothetical constructs [ 1 ] and focus on the observable relationship of behavior to the environment. By functionally assessing the relationship between a targeted behavior and the environment, the methods of ABA can be used to change that behavior. Research in applied behavior analysis ranges from behavioral intervention methods to basic research which investigates the rules by which humans adapt and maintain behavior. New Hire Orientation

7. New Hire Orientation Reinforcement Reinforcement is the most important principle of behavior [ 33 ] and a key element of most behavior change programs. [ 34 ] It is the process by which behavior is strengthened, if a behavior is followed closely in time by a stimulus and this results in an increase in the future frequency of that behavior. The addition of a stimulus following an event that serves as a reinforcer is termed positive reinforcement. If the removal of an event serves as a reinforcer, this is termed negative reinforcement. [ 35 ] There are multiple schedules of reinforcement that affect the future probability of behavior.

9. New Hire Orientation Extinction Extinction is the technical term to describe the procedure of withholding/discontinuing reinforcement of a previously reinforced behavior, resulting in the decrease of that behavior. The behavior is then set to be extinguished (Cooper, et al. ). Extinction procedures are often preferred over punishment procures that are frequently deemed unethical and in many states prohibited. Nonetheless, extinction procedures must be implemented with utmost care by professionals, as they are generally associated with extinction bursts. An extinction burst is the temporary increase in the frequency, intensity, and/or duration of the behavior targeted for extinction. Other characteristics of an extinction burst include a) extinction-produced aggression — the occurrence of an emotional response to an extinction procedure often manifested as aggression; b) extinction-related resistance assertion — the occurrence of attitudes immune to extinction procedures; and c) extinction-induced response variability — the occurrence of novel behaviors that did not typically occur prior to the extinction procedure. These novel behaviors are a core component of shaping procedures.

16. Applied Behavior Analysis What is a “positive behavior intervention” I can use today? Amazing power of positive reinforcement. The matching law – what you reinforce most will occur most frequently. Ways to make it more powerful – handout. New Hire Orientations

17. Applied Behavior Analysis Why is it so important to emphasize positive interventions – isn’t punishment effective? Side effects of punishment: - disrupted relationship - lack of skill building - models punishment which is not an intervention student will be able to use - can make it more difficult to gain compliance the next time - may create power struggle New Hire Orientations

22. New Hire Orientation Media Clips ABA with Autism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyCx-OLzgJw

25. What Do I do With All This? Look at ALL behaviors differently and you will respond differently. Resistance, defiance and rebellion are all attempts to gain a sense of power and control. Our Clients are not victims. They exist and developed into a set of circumstances that adults are responsible for.