Applied Behavior Analysis: Treatment, Effects & Risks

Applied Behavior Analysis is the English name for Applied Behavior Analysis. This refers to a psychotherapy procedure used to treat autistic disorders.

What is Applied Behavior Analysis?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) stands for applied behavior analysis. What is meant by this is a therapy method for treating autism spectrum disorders. It involves the application of scientific behavioral principles to strengthen the patient’s character traits and reduce the patient’s problems caused by autism. The foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis were laid, among others, by the American psychologist B. F. Skinner (1904-1990). However, the first application to children suffering from autism was by Ivar Lovaas in the early 1960s. While conducting research at the University of Los Angeles, the physician found that intensive behavioral therapy benefited autistic children. Through his therapy, Lovaas sought to provide autistic children with an environment that fostered learning. In the 1980s, he published a book on the effectiveness of the treatment. Also in the 1980s, several psychologists developed a concept of teaching autistic children based on B. F. Skinner’s theory of Verbal Behavior. Over time, they increased the efficiency of the applied behavior analysis. In modern times, the method is called ABA with Verbal Behavior (ABA/VB). In this way, the term Lovaas therapy was also replaced by Applied Behavior Analysis.

Function, effect, and goals

Applied Behavior Analysis is a psychotherapy based on operant conditioning. This approach is intended to reduce the autistic behavior of patients. The goal is to make the autistic person more educable and easier to learn. The family of the autistic child can be relieved with this procedure. ABA enables the autistic person to have positive social behavior and to establish relationships with other people. Applied Behavior Analysis classifies the person as a blank sheet of paper, so to speak, which can be filled with content. The problematic behavior of autistic people can be limited and even deleted with the help of the procedure, so that the patient receives new content that is desired. Proponents of ABA therapy refer to this procedure as “erasing” or “formatting.” ABA therapy begins with the gradual teaching of measurable behaviors. This means that behaviors that are difficult for autistic children to learn are broken down into numerous small sections. In this way, they are taught step by step so that they eventually learn communication and social skills. In the initial phase of Applied Behavior Analysis, instruction is delivered in 1:1 situations. This allows the children to learn from everyday situations. Initially, assistance is provided to help them successfully complete tasks. Later, the assistance is not provided. To reinforce the newly learned skills and behaviors, various reinforcing consequences are used. What these are depends on the individual child. For example, they may be primary reinforcers such as snacks, activities such as playing ball, riding a bike, swimming, jumping on a trampoline or swinging, and things such as videos, computers, music or books. Therefore, it is significant to find out which reinforcers the child responds to. It is also important that the child enjoys learning and is eventually motivated to learn new things on his or her own initiative. In addition, the child should learn in different situations. Thus, learning situations can occur within the child’s own four walls, such as in the child’s room, in the bathroom or in the kitchen, but also in the garden, on the playground or in the supermarket. Skills are generalized so that they are of functional importance to the child. Only when the child is able to apply the skills repeatedly with different materials and people does he or she truly benefit from what he or she has learned. Another important aspect of Applied Behavior Analysis is behavior analysis. Here, the therapist analyzes variables that promote inappropriate behavior in the child, such as tantrums, crying, aggression, and running away.The goal is to change the factors that are being maintained and to point out appropriate alternatives. In the process, the child learns how to express his or her wishes appropriately, i.e., through speech or gestures. In Germany, Applied Behavior Analysis received little attention for a long time. It is only in recent years that the therapy method has received more attention. Thus, ABA is now also recognized in this country as a theoretical basis for the treatment of autism.

Risks, side effects, and dangers

Risks and complications are not associated with Applied Behavior Analysis. However, there has been more frequent criticism of the therapy method recently, including from people who are themselves affected by autism. The critics of ABA therapy state that it is a classical conditioning, so that the success is questionable. For example, autistic people would have to endure unwanted touch. However, Applied Behavior Analysis thus overrides the autonomy of a disabled person. Eye contact is also very strenuous for autistic people and sometimes even associated with pain. The pressure that ABA therapy puts on children would often result in them being more vulnerable to abusive situations and not infrequently helpless in the face of them. Thus, as part of the therapy, the autistic person learns that his or her no does not matter.