Applied Behavior Analysis Essay

The PEAK (Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge) Assessment and Direct Training Module was developed for use with autistic children or those with related developmental disabilities. It is an ABA based therapy and assesses skills in manding, tacting, labeling, social and emotional descriptions, the usage of metaphors, and developing effective social exchanges (Daar, Negrilli, Dixon, 2015). PEAK consists of four separate modules each with their own assessments consisting of 184 questions. Each module of assessment has its own relational training system that corresponds with skill deficits of the individual. Through collecting and recording each assessment level on the Performance Matrix Triangle, the results are visually organized and easily interpreted.

Thank you for your considering my application to the Applied Behavior analysis program. For all of my life I have known that I was going to help people. It could be said that it is in my DNA. I just never suspected what the capacity would be. On December 15thI graduated from Albright college, I began working at Melmark on December 16th. My first thought, on that first day was “Oh no, I can’t do this, I need to quit” That was over two years ago, and I have gone to work every day, with a smile on my face. While working at my first position, out of college, I discovered my passion. My passion, I find, is working with children and adults with autism and with people who suffer from addiction. Watching the smiles on their faces, the determination when they work to complete a goal, and just the progress makes every hardship worth it, I love it. Each day, in my position as an ABA, I run behavior support plans, IEPs, teaching plans and other protocols, and each day I truly wish that I could have contributed to these plans, protocols, and IEPs. I ponder the recommendations that I could come up with, I wonder that if I had been able to participate in these conversations to create these plans could I have brought something else to the table, a different viewpoint. Affecting the way that the plans are written and in turn ran, I feel that I could make a big difference in the lives of the children and their families also. Every two weeks each child’s team meets to discuss his or her

This essay will compare and contrast two theories of behaviour management by Carl Rogers and BF Skinner and argue ways in which one of these theories could be implemented for a particular context and practice. Roger’s theory is based on a humanistic approach, while Skinner’s theory takes a behaviourist approach; each theory has both benefits and shortcomings. Their views form opposite ends of the learning spectrum. These theories will be examined as their respective works address the underlying issue of how children learn to behave.

Autism is a disease that is being diagnosed today more than ever before. In fact, as of 2014 the statistics for diagnosis of autism are one in sixty-eight children, with diagnosis being much more common in boys (Autism Speaks, 2016a). While there are many theories about what causes autism, there is currently not any proven predictor of what will cause this disease to develop (Landrigan, 2010). Since prevention is not possible at this time, it is extremely beneficial and important to research understanding and treatment of those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There are many avenues of treatment for ASD, but one method that has received significant attention is applied behavior analysis (ABA). The goal of this research article is to explore the definition of applied behavior analysis, its development over time, and its application to real life. Some questions that will be explored are when and where did ABA originate, how has it developed over time, and what researchers contributed new findings to this intervention. Additionally, the methods that have been developed over time to implement ABA will be discussed, specifically with their application to autism and individuals diagnosed with ASD. Finally, there will be a discussion of how skills that individuals with ASD gain from applied behavioral analysis can be applied to a classroom setting.

4. Why it is important to you to study this discipline in a school that emphasizes cultural awareness, competence, and understanding of diversity (see our Commitment to Diversity Statement).

Since it first identified as a distinct disorder by Leo Kanner (1943), autism studies continued in order to explain its causes. Many theories and clinical studies evolved. However, none of them seems to be conclusive. Although it was interchangeably considered as part of schizophrenia, recently it is defined as a distinct disorder that has its own characteristics. The field of management is still challenging. In this paper, I am going to discuss different theories that explain autism. Then, I am going to summarize different learning approaches that are used for autistic children based on the

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined as "a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and social interaction and the presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors. Social communication deficits include impairments in aspects of joint attention and social reciprocity, as well as challenges in the use of verbal and nonverbal communicative behaviors for social interaction" (2016). The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) in a language intervention program recommended for children, usually 12 to 48 months of age, who present with ASD (Vivanti, 2016). According to Autism Speaks Inc., ESDM intervention requires training and certification and can be delivered by a psychologist, behaviorist, occupational therapist, speech and language pathologist, early intervention specialist or developmental pediatrician, and is intended as a naturalistic approach to therapy because it does not require a fixed setting for delivery. Generalization of the intervention requires intense parent involvement and "can be delivered by therapy teams and/or parents in group programs or individual sessions in either a clinic setting or the child 's home" (2016). According to Schreibman et al., ESDM combines naturalistic intervention behavioral intervention (NDBI) with Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) principles, which have shown through evidence based practice to induce behavioral changes,

Facilitated Communication (FC) is a technique used by some caregivers in an attempt to help those with severe communication disabilities. Rosemary Crossley, the originator of FC, came up with this technique in the late 1970’s and it was originally used for individuals with cerebral palsy. A little over a decade later, FC made its way to the U.S. by way of Douglas Biklen and he extended it to autism. Biklen argued that we had it all wrong and that autism is primarily a motor, not mental, disorder. For that reason, many used FC, or supported typing as it is called today, as a means to communicate with autistic individuals who have severe communication disabilities. FC requires two people, the individual with autism and the facilitator.

There is a wide range and much controversy surrounding the study and overall effectiveness of different interventions for children and adolescents possessing a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, regardless of the method of intervention, every intervention shares the common goal which focuses on improving functioning in one or a combination of the following areas: social, communication, behavior, and academic. Social functioning includes interaction with peers and others, engagement and appropriate participation in activities, while communication refers to goals of “effectively signaling information to a social partner” i.e. utilizing and recognizing aspects of communication such as requesting, labeling, expressive language, speech, pragmatics, etc. (Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiative, 2012). With respect to the behavioral domain of treatment, effective intervention seeks to result in an increase of individuals engaging in the positive, adaptive skills to respond to a situation, person, or environment. Finally academic refers to skills that are required for success with school activities (Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiative, 2012). Focus in these areas of functioning assists in guiding treatment goals and provides a guideline of what to measure in order to gauge the effectiveness of treatment.

Since Skinner’s time there has been much research done and many new techniques made in ABA especially in regards of teaching people how to increase behaviors associated with learning and decreasing those that may inhibit learning. These new techniques have been used to help successfully treat or improve the lives of several people with various degrees and types of disabilities and learning disorders. These techniques have been adapted from being used exclusively on adults and modified for children. These techniques can be formally initiated, meaning that they are done in a classroom or a behavioral analysts’ office, or they can be taught to parents or caretakers and are often used to develop skills such as learning theory of mind, eye contact, social skills, and other necessary skills (Renna, 2004).

The hallmarks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involve marked deficits in social interaction as well as engagement in repetitive behaviors and language difficulties (Leblanc, Richardson, & Warnie, 2005). Although autism can have a profound impact on the capabilities and functioning of the individual, emerging research indicates that applied behavioral analysis (ABA) can be an effective tool for addressing many of the deficits that children with ASD face (Boutot & Myles, 2016). In fact, emerging research indicates that when ABA is utilized for the treatment of young children with ASD many of the challenges faced by this group can be ameliorated (Boutot & Myles, 2016). With these issues in mind the current investigation considers the seven elements of ABA identified by Baer, Wolf, and Risley (1968) in their seminal article on applied behavioral analysis and their application to individuals with ASD. Through a critical review of the seven elements of ABA in relation to ASD it will be possible to illustrate how this approach can be effective for improving outcomes for individuals diagnosed with autism.

Conceptually consistent programs within behavior analysis are those programs that use the principles of operant learning theory. Sensory integration and mindfulness therapies are not conceptually consistent with the principles of behavior analysis.

To encourage the development of social skills students are encouraged to interact with one another throughout the day in a variety of methods, including partner work, small group activities, and large group activities. These teaching techniques enable autistic children to relate to their peers. As autistic children relate to their peers more they are more accepted and in turn continue to learn and acquire new and improved social skills.

I also agree that management has to be able to change and grow and continue to listen to any upward communication from the staff. In order to accomplish better communication, management should provide an ‘open-door’ policy and also informal meetings where employees can either feel free to go to their supervisors first with any questions or concerns and also raise issues with resources or basically anything that interferes with their job performance (Newstrom, 2014, p. 70).

Discrete trial instruction is form of ABA used to teach students with autism specific behaviors or skills by practicing multiple times. This process starts with the discriminating stimulus or antecedent. This would be the skill you want to teach the child. For example, you may want the student to ask for water. When the child says water, this is the second step or behavior you are targeting. Once they have accurately accomplished the skill you are working to obtain, they are rewarded, which is final step of this process. In this case, a drink of water could be the reward. These trials or requests are done time and time again until the skill is mastered. Once the student understands this skill it can be mixed in with other abilities in order to insure they have truly comprehended this technique. (Boutot, E. 2017 pg. 82).