#1 Science + Foundations of Behavior

What is people-first language?

Puts the person before the disability, e.g. “student with autism.”

What is identity-first language?

Puts the disability identity first, e.g. “autistic student.”

Which disability language should you use?

The language the individual prefers, when known.

Why should supports be individualized?

Needs vary; one support may help one person but create barriers for another.

What is Science?

Systematic knowledge based on observation, measurement, and experimentation.

What are the 3 levels of scientific understanding?

Description, Prediction, Control

What is description?

Observe, measure, classify, and describe events.

What is prediction?

Identify relationships between events and predict what may occur.

Does correlation equal causation?

No. A relationship does not prove one event caused another.

What is control?

Changing one variable reliably produces a change in another.

What is determinism?

Events/behavior happen for identifiable reasons, rather than randomly

What is empiricism?

Knowledge should come from objective observation and experience

What is experimentation?

Manipulate an independent variable and measure its effect on a dependent variable.

What is replication?

Repeat research/procedures to see whether findings are consistent.

What is parsimony?

Consider the simplest reasonable explanation first.

What is philosophic doubt?

Maintain healthy skepticism and let evidence/data guide conclusions.

What is an evidence-based practice (EBP)?

An intervention/method supported by enough research to show positive outcomes.

What does a biophysical explanation focus on?

Body factors such as genetics, heredity, or brain injury

What does a biochemical explanation focus on?

Excesses or deficiencies of substances in the body that may influence behavior.

Does a biological association prove causation?

No. Being associated with behavior does not prove it caused the behavior.