Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering core definitions, roles, measurement types, behavior functions, and challenging behaviors in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

ABA

Applied Behavior Analysis; a science that uses evidence-based strategies to teach meaningful skills and improve quality of life.

BCBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

BCBA Responsibilities

Develops treatment plans, trains BTs, analyzes data, and supervises services.

BT / RBT

Behavior Technician / Registered Behavior Technician.

BT / RBT Responsibilities

Implements the treatment plan, teaches skills, and collects data under BCBA supervision.

Client

The individual receiving ABA services.

Behavior

Anything a person says or does that can be observed and measured.

Antecedent

What happens immediately before a behavior.

Consequence

What happens immediately after the behavior.

Reinforcement

Anything that increases the likelihood a behavior will occur again.

Prompt

Assistance provided to help the client respond correctly.

Prompt Fading

Gradually reducing assistance until the client responds independently.

Generalization

Using a learned skill across different people, places, and situations.

Maintenance

Continuing to perform a skill after it has been mastered.

Aggression

Behavior intended to cause physical harm to another person.

Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB)

Behavior that results in harm to oneself.

Property Destruction

Damaging objects or the environment.

Elopement

Leaving a designated area without permission or supervision.

Noncompliance

Failure to follow a reasonable instruction within a designated amount of time.

Tantrums

Emotional outbursts that may include crying, yelling, dropping to the floor, stomping, or screaming.

Verbal Aggression

Using inappropriate or threatening language toward others.

Disruption

Behaviors that interrupt instruction or activities.

Inappropriate Social Behavior

Behaviors that interfere with appropriate peer interactions.

Stereotypy

Repetitive movements or vocalizations that may interfere with learning.

Inappropriate Vocalizations

Vocal sounds that interfere with learning or communication.

Task Refusal

Actively avoiding participation in demands or activities.

Inattention

Difficulty maintaining focus on the assigned activity.

Pica

Eating or attempting to eat non-food items.

Mouthing

Placing non-food objects in the mouth.

Spitting

Expelling saliva toward people or objects.

Disrobing

Removing clothing in inappropriate settings.

Toileting Accidents

Urinating or defecating outside the designated toilet after toilet training has begun.

Limited Motivation

The client is not interested in available reinforcers or activities.

Difficulty with Transitions

The client struggles moving from one activity, setting, or preferred item to another.

Limited Attention Span

The client has difficulty remaining engaged during teaching.

Communication Deficits

Difficulty expressing wants, needs, or feelings appropriately.

Challenging Behaviors

Behavior that interferes with learning or participation in therapy.

Generalization Difficulties

Skills learned in therapy do not consistently transfer to new environments or people.

Prompt Dependency

The client waits for assistance instead of responding independently.

Sensory Needs

Sensory sensitivities or sensory-seeking behaviors that interfere with participation.

Four Functions of Behavior

Attention, Escape, Access to Tangibles, and Automatic (Sensory).

Attention Function

The client engages in behavior to gain attention from others.

Escape Function

The client engages in behavior to avoid or end a task or situation.

Access to Tangibles

The client engages in behavior to obtain a preferred item or activity.

Automatic (Sensory) Function

The behavior is internally reinforcing and does not rely on another person.

Frequency

How many times a behavior occurs.

Duration

How long the behavior lasts.

Latency

Time between an instruction and the behavior.

ABC

Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence.

ABC Data

Data collection involving the antecedent, behavior, and consequence.

Trial-by-Trial Data

Recording whether each teaching opportunity was correct or incorrect.