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
My enthusiasm for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in kids and pre-adults began in the midst of my journey for a graduate degree in teaching. When I graduated with my Bachelors in Psychology, I noticed there were many available instructing positions in teaching. I chose to seek after a graduate
In applied behavior analysis behaviorists use techniques such as functional behavior assessment (FBA), to create functionally-based interventions that target maladaptive behavior. The goal of an FBA is to identify the conditions that predict behavior and the consequences that maintain behavior (Carr et al., 2002). If the link between antecedent, behavior, and consequence can be established, it will be possible to alter a behavior by changing its predictive stimuli and maintaining consequences (Bender, 2015). After forming this link by collecting data, a behavior intervention plan (BIP) will be created to diminish problem behavior (Bender, 2015). This BIP must target the function of the behavior and
Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is the leading scientific method that helps patients with Autism to overcome their condition. In order to improve their condition, ABA specialists focus on a system of reward, which encourages positive actions like speech, social activity and life skill improvements. This works mostly with children as they are more likely to absorb and accept new challenges; this is commonly referred to as "positive reinforcement" in the literature and has become one of the leading directions for treatment. ABA therapy was devised and implemented by Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas at UCLA in 1987. Since then, ABA therapy has become a leading branch of psychology - behaviorism.
My goals to complete the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis are both, personal and professional. On a professional level, I want to advance my graduate studies by becoming a certified Behavior Analyst. For this I must complete the courses required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. On a personal level, this certificate means several things: providing an example of improvement for my family, and providing my family with the adequate financial resources in the furure. I have been the first in my family to obtain a university degree. Being certified as a behavioral analyst would make me a specialist in this field. It is my hope that the completion of my professional career stimulates other family members to aspire higher educational goals and become productive professional citizens in society.
I have a very strong interest in obtaining the Behavioral Technician position at Exceptional Student Education Center. I am currently completing my Master’s in Psychology specializing in Applied Behavioral Analysis. My background experience consists of working with children as well as teens with challenging behaviors in educational, residential and high facility settings. I offer a diverse background with the ability to engage individuals and build positive rapports with youth.
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.
As mentioned in the BACB Ethical Guideline, behavior analysts are responsible for informing clients about evidence-based that might be beneficial. It is our job to recommend scientifically supported most effective treatment procedures, which will have both long-term and short-term benefits to not only the client but also our society. If a client is interested on beginning a treatment that has not been scientifically proven to be effective, it would be my job to recommend evidence-based intervention that have been shown to be effective in similar cases.
Are you the type of person who wants to be able to go to work everyday doing something you love, helping others who need it, and getting a smile on your face just by the smallest of things that someone does? That is the type of person I am, which is why I chose the career path of a Behavior Specialist. A Behavior Specialist is someone who works with a person who may have a disability, and they study and work with them to make things as easy as possible for their daily life. They focus on the perception of life, however sometimes hesitate to present the strong conclusions how behaviors cause certain emotion (Thompson). A Behavior Specialist is also known as a Social Psychologist, because they study how a person’s mental life and behavior are shaped by interactions with other people (“Pardon Our Interruption”). The four main behaviors that Behavior Specialists look for when studying the actions of a person are, “Self-awareness, emotion, motivation, and feelings” (“Modeling the Early Human Mind”). Although I believe being a Behavior Specialist is a dream job, there are always issues that go along with any job, in this case emotions play a role in the occupation working with people who need extra help.
A career action plan in applied behavior analysis will be important in speculating the kind of career to undertake once through with the studies. It can be an excellent tool for a student to develop to ensure swift absorption in the job market or to those wishing to start their own organizations (Cooper, 2007).
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
Elaine is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) working in a geographically isolated area running Intensive Behavioural Intervention programs as a private business. Her clientele is mainly young children under the age of 10-years old with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Developmental Disabilities.
Behavior analysts should be aware of the values their clients’ have. The behavior analyst should be clear about the methods to be used and the underlying conceptual basis for the procedures when explaining them to the client or clients. This clear explanation may prevent conflicts from arising.
What is behavior analysis? Behavior analysis is a scientific demonstration of events that cause behaviors or why individuals do what they do. Behavior analysis focus on the interaction between behavior and the environment. Applied Behavior Analysis or ABAs work with individuals with disabilities such as autism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any other significant disorder. Unlike Psychology behavior analysis want to know what in an individual surrounding influence them to do what they do. Behavior Analysis use several different of the dimensions to find accurate research of why individuals behave the way they do. The seven dimensions are applied, behavioral, analytic, technological, generality, effective and conceptual systematic.
The field of behavioral analysis developed when I started working with a low functioning Autistic child. However, I have over 6 months experience working with Autistic children. My current client is low functioning, nonverbal, and displays aggressive behavior. I work 41hrs in the school setting, 11hrs on the school bus and 6hrs in the community a week with my client. I have a rapport with my client. It is challenging for my client to learn. In addition to exhibiting aggressive behavior. Redirection is a method used when trying to get my client