What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?

ABA is the design, implementation, and evaluation of environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior.  All services offered by Planting Seeds are based on the principles of ABA.  It includes the use of direct observation, measurement, and functional analysis of the relations between environment and behavior.  ABA used changes in the environmental events, including antecedent stimuli and consequences, to produce practical and significant changes in behavior.  These relevant environmental events are usually identified through a variety of specialized assessment methods.  ABA is based on the premise that an individual’s behavior is determined by past and current environmental events in conjunction with organic variables such as their genetic endowment and ongoing physiological variables.  ABA focuses on treating behavioral difficulties by changing the individual’s environment rather than focusing on variables that are, at least presently, beyond our direct access. 

Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies published over the past 50 years has made ABA the standard of care for the treatment of ASD (BACB, 2012).  ABA has shown to be successful for  behavioral concerns, the core deficits of ASD, and the development of or restoration of abilities.