The Tree House International

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a specific psychological treatment dating back to early 20th century. It is best known for its success in treating individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (e.g., Down Syndrome, ADHD, Intellectual Disabilities). Decades of research have shown that intensive ABA treatment is the most successful approach for children with Autism, and it is widely recognised by a number of sources including the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Academy of Paediatrics, and the National Institute of Mental Health, and Irish Psychological Society. To date, behaviour-analytic scientists have conducted thousands of studies to identify the laws of behaviour—the predictable ways in which behaviour is learned and how it changes over time. The underlying theme of much of this work has been that behaviour is a product of its circumstances, particularly the events that immediately follow the behaviour. Behaviour analysts have used this information to develop numerous techniques and treatment approaches for analyzing and changing behaviour, and ultimately, to improve lives. Because this approach applied behavior analysis (ABA) is largely based on behaviour and its consequences, techniques generally involve teaching individuals more effective ways of behaving through positive reinforcement and working to change the social consequences of existing behaviour. Treatment approaches based on ABA have been empirically shown to be effective in a wide variety of areas.