ABA 280 - Introduction to the Basic Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis

Introduction to the Basic Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis is designed as an introduction to the discipline of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and its’ application to the treatment of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. ABA is the design, implementation, and evaluation of environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvement in human behavior. ABA includes the use of direct observation, measurement, and functional analysis of the relations between environment and behavior. ABA uses antecedent stimuli and consequences, based on the findings of descriptive and functional analysis, to produce practical change. ABA is based on the belief that an individual’s behavior is determined by past and current environmental events in conjunction with organic variables such as genetics. Thus, it focuses on explaining behavior in terms of external events that can be manipulated rather than internal constructs that are beyond our control.

Prerequisites & Notes
Junior class status or permission of instructor.

(Cr: 3)