Applied Behavior Analysis Paper

Development of an intervention is the final step in the functional behavior assessment (FBA) process. In the completion of the FBA antecedent and reinforcing contingencies are identified which can be manipulated to prevent the behavior from occurring, remove reinforcement for engaging in the undesired behavior, or be utilized to reinforce alternate behaviors (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). An FBA is a necessary component of the intervention process in that it provides the necessary information with regard to the function of the behavior through the systematic manipulation of environmental variables thought to maintain the problem under controlled conditions; yielding a clear demonstration of the interaction between the independent variable

Functional behavior assessments are important to teachers and students because I believe that all children behave a certain way for a reason. Children who have disabilities as well as children who do not have disabilities behave in inappropriate ways and a functional behavior assessment can help to determine why so that a plan can be developed to correct the behavior. Negative behavior is a reaction to something happening in a child's life or an imbalance in the child. A child with an imbalance will benefit from a functional behavior assessment because there is a

1) Describe one or more personal or professional goals that motivate you to apply for this program. How will completion of the Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis help you fulfill this/these goals?

In focus of the modern world today, cognitive behavior theory is one of the most widely practiced of the theories. The technological level and ability that could diagnostically reveal a portion of the inner workings and functionary process of the mind has undoubtedly contributed to the cognitive research. For the psychological community to experience a large gain in the professional practice of assessing and correcting inappropriate behavior is to assume that they know what the correct behavior is. Still it becomes a subjective belief that one might think to be appropriate, while there remains to possibility of uncertainty exposed by any new discovery that could have a revelation of evidence in fact.

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

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.

What is one theory that influenced the development of the approach and how the theory helps describe behaviors

Baer, D. M. (Spring, 1968). Some Current Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 91-97.

Zatrow, C. &.-A. (210). Understanding human behavior and social enviornment (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

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).

Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCAB) and working in the field thereafter requirements achieving timed steps. Steps include pursuing higher education in said field, meeting requirements such as coursework and experience, and examinations. The Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) provides requirements for obtaining and maintain a certification for this profession. To ensure success in the endeavour of this profession it is essential to create an action plan containing measurable, obtainable, timely goals. In the fast evolving global trends regarding behaviour, effective parameters need to be put in place to ensure that diverse behaviours in individuals are well analysed in order to provide a good remedy to the

Behavior is best defined as the unique behaviors, emotions and thought processes of an individual including the way that he or she interacts with others. While much of behavior may be thought to be innate, there are also external factors that can impact an individual's behavior. These factors have diversity and demographic characteristics; four of these factors will be discussed in this paper and the impact each has on individuals will be shown. Religion, personality traits, age and gender are thought to have the greatest impacts and therefore providing the best opportunity for discussion.

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.

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.

ABC's of human behavior refers to an approach that seeks to understand and explain why a particular behavior happens. It stands for ‘Antecedent- Behavior- Consequence' model. The strategy seeks to observe the events carefully before the target behavior (antecedent), as well as the results that follow the behavior (behavior- consequence). An understanding of the ABC's can work by influencing the environment of a person to bring about change in behavior. This can help in shaping behavior either by the removal of negative stimuli or by positive reinforcement.