Evidence based interventions
There are various evidence-based interventions in ABA that have proven effective. These include antecedent interventions, such as environmental modifications and adjustments to response effort, as well as reactive strategies like reinforcement and punishment.
Antecedent Manipulations:
Antecedent Manipulations
📍 Environmental Modifications
Changing the setting to reduce distractions or triggers and promote success.
Example: Removing clutter or placing preferred items out of reach to encourage communication.
⬆️⬇️ Reducing or Increasing Response Effort
Making desired behaviors easier and challenging behaviors harder to perform.
Example: Keeping a trash bin nearby to encourage cleanup (easier), or locking cabinets to discourage access (harder).
🔁 Alteration of the Discriminative Stimulus (SD)
Changing how or when a cue or instruction is given to prompt the desired behavior.
Example: Giving clearer, simpler instructions or using consistent phrasing.
🔄 Manipulation of Establishing Operations (EOs)
Changing the motivation behind a behavior by adjusting access to items, attention, or activities.
Example: Limiting screen time before a task to increase motivation for earning it after.
🗓️ Visual Schedules, Cues, Timers, & Priming
Using tools to prepare and guide the child through transitions and routines.
Example: A visual schedule to show the steps of a day, a timer to signal clean-up time, or giving a heads-up before a transition (priming).
ABA Utilizes
✅ Positive and Negative Reinforcement:
The addition (positive) or removal (negative) of a stimulus that increases the future likelihood of a behavior.
Example: Giving praise (positive) or removing a demand (negative) after a child completes a task to encourage that behavior in the future.
🚫 Positive and Negative Punishment:
The addition (positive) or removal (negative) of a stimulus that decreases the future likelihood of a behavior.
Example: Giving a time-out (positive punishment) or taking away a toy (negative punishment) following an undesired behavior to reduce its occurrence.
*Be very mindful and careful of how these are utilized.
ABA Teaching Techniques: DTT, NET, and PRT
Three widely used ABA instructional methods include Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Natural Environment Teaching (NET), and Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT):
✨ Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
DTT is a highly structured teaching method that breaks down skills into small, manageable steps. Each step is taught one at a time using clear instructions, prompts, and reinforcement. This approach is especially helpful for teaching early learning skills like matching, labeling, and following directions.
🌿 Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
NET focuses on teaching skills in everyday settings using natural interactions and motivation. Learning happens during play, meals, or other daily routines, making it easier for children to generalize skills across different environments. NET is child-led and flexible, promoting meaningful engagement.
🎯 Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT)
PRT targets “pivotal” areas of development such as motivation, self-initiation, and responding to multiple cues. By focusing on these key areas, PRT helps improve a wide range of behaviors. It’s play-based, led by the child’s interests, and encourages communication, social interaction, and independence.
Each of these techniques can be integrated based on the child’s needs to promote progress that is both meaningful and lasting.
Additional ABA Tools:
Task Analysis
Breaking a complex skill into smaller, manageable steps that are taught one at a time.
Example: Teaching handwashing by breaking it into steps like turning on water, getting soap, scrubbing hands, etc.
Successive Approximations
Teaching a new behavior by reinforcing small steps that get closer and closer to the desired behavior.
Example: Rewarding a child first for looking at a toothbrush, then for holding it, then for brushing.
Differential Reinforcement
Reinforcing the desired behavior while withholding reinforcement for unwanted behavior.
Example: Praising a child for asking nicely instead of whining.
Stimulus and Response Prompts
Stimulus Prompt: A change to the instruction or material to help the child respond correctly.
Example: Highlighting the correct picture in a choice array.Response Prompt: A hint or assistance given after the instruction to guide the child’s behavior.
Example: Physically guiding a child’s hand to point or giving a verbal cue.