ABSTRACT
An understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) gives the reader the tools to examine the social behaviors of children with ASD by observing, labeling, and measuring the behaviors. Jake’s teachers labeled the target behavior as “requesting a toy from a peer,” and by collecting data, determined that Jake engaged in this skill less than one time per day. Chrissie’s teacher was shaping or reinforcing successive approximations of the complex skill of conversing with others. It took many weeks of practice to gradually teach the skills of Chrissie’s task analysis. Jake and Chrissie’s stories provide a brief introduction to a few of the concepts of ABA. There are many, many ways to implement principles of ABA in teaching. Understanding the motivation of children involves observing and investigating their behavior. Positive reinforcement is the ABA principle that describes the idea that people usually repeat behaviors that result in pleasant consequences.
