What is ABA?

The Basics

ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. At its core, ABA is the science of human behavior. ABA is a combination of methods and means to teach new skills.

ABA focuses on understanding how behavior works in real-world situations and using positive, supportive strategies to create lasting change.

In simple terms, ABA helps individuals learn what to do, how to do it, and when to do it—whether that means improving communication, building independence, strengthening social skills, or managing challenging behaviors.

ABA is most commonly used to support individuals with autism, but its principles are effective for people of all ages and abilities. The ultimate goal of ABA is to help individuals thrive at home, in school, and in the community.

ABA therapy for neurodivergent individuals includes empowerment, building on strengths, and focusing on meeting individuals' needs through self-advocacy and expanded communication skills.

ABA includes personalized treatment plans with data collection. This is how a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) makes decisions about whether therapy is working. Each learner has goals based on their unique needs and strengths and through systematic teaching and data collection, BCBAs are able to adjust programming to ensure that therapy is effective.

While ABA is typically used in a learner-therapist direct setting, ABA also includes the critical component of family and caregiver training. ABA is meant to have a lasting impact, which means that everyone is on the same page. Skills used in ABA therapy are translated into strategies for parents, teachers, siblings, and peers to also utilize. When everyone is involved in ABA therapy, outcomes are more likely to last over time.

The Outcomes

Intended outcomes for ABA include independence, enriched relationships, accessing environments which are helpful and meaningful, and being able to achieve quality of life that enables learners to live comfortably according to their preferences and interests.

Outcomes are not cookie-cutter, however. Some individuals may work towards gainful employment, some may work towards finding leisure activities they can access and enjoy, some may work towards making new friends and building new relationships.

Outcomes are NOT to look like anyone else, do what anyone else is doing, or to fulfill a specific idea of what an independent or fulfilled person 'looks like.' Success looks different to everyone.

The History

We would be remiss not to mention ABA's sordid past (and present). Early forms of ABA often emphasized compliance and “normalization,” sometimes using harsh or punitive methods that caused harm and overlooked individual autonomy.

ABA continues to evolve and grow as a field and develop new tenets to promote positive behavior change.

'Modern ABA' should always use ethical, person-centered, and positive approaches to learning, however each practitioner and organization is responsible for creating their own culture and systems to protect individuals which we serve.

Our Approach

The following philosophies guide our practice at Therapy Roots:

Therapy Roots believes in assent based learning. Assent-based learning means teaching only when the individual is willing and engaged, respecting their communication, choices, and right to pause or say no.
Therapy Roots practices compassionate ABA, prioritizing dignity, consent, emotional well-being while using positive, supportive teaching strategies.
ABA focuses on meaningful skills for each individual, not cookie cutter skills that are applied across every learner.
ABA treatment plans are centered around the learner, with input from the learner's family to ensure therapy is comprehensive and in alignment with each family's beliefs and core principles.
ABA therapy honors each learner's unique identity and does not decrease any aspect of a person's personality and their special traits.
ABA therapy works with the learner, their family, and their environment to produce the most meaningful change.