Applied Behavior Analysis: My Experience As A Therapist

This means that the intervention for the client should be in the best interest of the client who is the most vulnerable and in need of behavioral analytic help. The intervention should primarily benefit the client and not necessarily the caregiver or facility. Behavior analysts are required to follow the code of ethics and use evidence-based procedures. The behavior analyst should define the relation and have a clear and concise contract detailing his or her priorities for the intervention to best benefit the client. The behavior analyst should also make sure that the procedures implemented benefit the intended client.

Pursuing a career in applied behavioural analysis is motivated by my focus and interest in working with people. A Board Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBA) commonly work with children to alter behaviour, which I do find an interest in due to my love for children. Initially, I do wish to use my training to help children in need of behavioural changes by working in schools for special

Among the most widely disseminated procedures derived directly from the principles of applied behavior analysis have been those applied to the analysis and treatment of common childhood problems (e.g., Arndorfer, Allen, & Aljazireh, 1999; Schroeder & Gordon, 1991; Watson & Gresham, 1998). Applied behavior analysts have developed a countless effective interventions for common childhood problems and have repeatedly demonstrated that, even in loosely controlled applied environments, behavior often responds rather quickly to properly managed contingencies. Yet, despite these successes, some have maintained that simply providing repeated demonstrations of the effectiveness of behavioral technology eventually will yield diminishing returns to the field (Kunkel, 1987). The success of an intervention is dependent not only upon its effectiveness but also upon its precise delivery by a clinician and the consistency with which parents and staff implement that treatment with all of its essential

Behavior modification is field within psychology that specializes in identifying relationships between a specific behavior and environmental events as well as creating and instituting procedures that help individuals to change a particular behavior. When behavior analysts conduct research they use research designs that help them to identify whether a change in the targeted behavior or dependent variable was result of implementation of a specific treatment plan or independent variable (Miltenberger, 2008). This paper addresses the use of research design methods in a case study involving Martin, an ABA psychologist, who has

I have first-hand experience working with Behavior Analysts and have a full understanding of what the profession entails. As an RBT, I have assisted Behavior Analysts in conducting direct and indirect assessments, as well as with functional analysis during Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA). While assisting with FBAs, I have learned that it requires a considerable amount of time to be conducted properly. My experience assisting Behavior Analysts in conducting FBAs has taught me how to be patient during the process and the importance of accurately collecting reliable data. It is imperative to be meticulous during data collection to ensure the validity of the

According to the professional and ethical compliance code for behavior analysts, behavior analysts must rely on scientific knowledge (1.01) and clients have a right to effective treatment (2.09). This undoubtedly goes against ethics code because scientists don’t recommend FC and have proven that other methods such as Applied Behavior Analysis are more effective. Because of the popularity of FC in the 90’s, proponents continued their adherence to the technique and dismissed evidence investigations as flawed and unnecessary, characterizing FC as an “effective and legitimate intervention” in pro-FC literature (?). They refused to change their minds or admit their mistakes. The FC movement retained some of its popularity and is still being used as of today, controversially. Its use has caused issues for families especially in terms of abuse

It has to be effective and cost effective for the client/patients. Behavior therapist must stay current on the most current scientific evidence based interventions and treatments. It important to maintaining competence (APA 2.01), based on their training, supervised experience, consultation, study or professional experience. Psychologists make ongoing efforts to develop and maintain their competence throughout their career (APA, 2010). Furthermore, as behavior analysts we also need to recognize that other professions have ethical codes that may differ in their specific requirements from these

Applied Behavior Analysis analysts are required to know the steps that are needed and necessary for behavior modification. This type of modification requires a clear definition of the behavior needing modification (target behavior), how this will benefit the individual in need of the modification, a clear plan of modification, and consistent data gathering to determine the effectiveness of the proposed behavior modification plan. In order to achieve a successful modification plan, the ABA professional first needs to gather information about the individual either by direct or indirect means. The modification must always been in the best interest of the individual, or those closest to the individual, and it must be a functional modification that can be carried out in the absence of the analyst. The ABA professional needs to understand the needs of each client. In order to do this, the professional will have to assess the behavior, gather data, identify a target behavior, propose a hypothesis about an intervention, implement the modification program, gather more data about the effectiveness of the program, and report about the outcome.

Prior to treatment with the author, he had been involved in treatment with a speech language pathologist, an occupational therapist, and four different Board Certified Behavior Analysts who provided applied behavior analysis. It was reported by the parents that he was discharged from the therapists providing applied behavior analysis because they feared for their safety. A release was signed by the parents for one of the previous therapists who reported that although they did not feel safe continuing services in the home, it was due to the parents’ unwillingness to comply with the treatment plan. At the time the author was treating A Child, he was also seeing a therapist for metronome therapy, as well as the speech and occupational

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most misunderstood methods of reinforcement. ABA also is referred to as ‘behavior modification’, which is the main contributor of the negative connotation with this method. ABA is the application of behavioral learning principles to change behavior (Woolfolk 256). Applied Behavior Analysis can be very successful in the classroom if done correctly. However, to begin this, one must study a student to decide what reinforcers will best work to modify the behavior.

The description of the Target Behaviors enlightened my views on understand the prioritization when assessing a behavior. (Copper, Heron, & Heward, 2007) states Applied behavior analysts improve socially important behaviors that have immediate and long-lasting meaning for an individual and those who interact with that individual (p.49). The importance of targeting undesirable behaviors proves clients the capabilities to eliminate specific behaviors.

When conducting a fucntional behavior assessment, it is imperative that all cultural and religious ideals of the child and his or her family be taken into serious consideration. As a professionl in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, we will encounter mandy a wide range of belief systems, cultures and ethinic groups. Jones, Hoerger, Hughes, Williams, Jones, Mosely, Hughes and Prys (2011), state that ethically, it is crucial that any form of interventin program be conveyed in a manner that is respectful and values the diversity of ohers, which is thought to be a way of keeping up with

The great Maya Angelo said, “When you know better you do better.” This simple statement speaks so much to me, as a Behavior Analyst, in terms that I often use when speaking to colleagues about a dimension of Applied Behavioral Analysis more technically referred to as, “Conceptual Systems”. It states that behavioral interventions must come from a specific and identifiable theoretical base rather than being a set of packages or tricks. This theoretical framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study under the most critical eye. With a great reliance on the measureable aspects of human behavior, Behavior Analysts seek to not only explain human behavior but to control it.

Behavioral principles have long been employed to achieve educational progress with children who have intellectual disabilities (Drew & Hardman, 2007). An issue of substantial concern is behaviors that may be self-injurious or dangerous to those surrounding the individual. In order to prevent occurrences of inappropriate behavior, family members and the educational staff must put effective interventions into place. These behavior procedures include the use of punishment and aversive consequences, and are sometimes put forth by professionals to change inappropriate behavior (Drew & Hardman, 2007). However, controversy exists over the social and ethical issues involved with the implementation of aversive procedures, especially when working with young children.

Behavior theory practitioners focus directly on observable behavior, current determinants of behavior, knowledgeable experiences that promote short and long-term changes, fashioning design treatment strategies to individual clients, rigorous assessment and evaluations. The two practitioners this paper shall primarily focus on the studies of B. F. Skinner and Albert Bandura. With the support from several other scientific studies of development of learning theories making, this study is made to be a little difficult with the so many diversified views sometimes overlapping. Corey, (2013). While, behavior theory practitioners focus regularly and straightforwardly recognizing behaviors, behavioral theory procedures are currently used in the several fields such as: disabilities, mental illness, education and special education, community psychology, health related behaviors, medicine and gerontology and more. Corey, (2013).