Colleagues in the Field: Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Part 2

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Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA): Part 2 – ABA is Inclusive

By Dr. Don Togade, Ph.D., BCBA-D

“ABA analyses the role and determines the varying influence the environment has on one’s behaviour. The careful and culturally-sensitive approach to behavioural assessments places an individual’s safety, progress, and dignity as its highest priority.” – Dr. Don

In the previous blog post, Dr. Don defined ABA as a natural science approach to understanding human behaviour. In addition, he also mentioned that the goal of ABA is to enable individuals to reach their highest potentials so that they can become more independent and proactive members in their families and their communities. Simply put, ABA is a helping science. It is a helping discipline because it attempts to help improve not one, but all individuals, regardless of their unique backgrounds, to reach their highest potentials. In this blog post, Dr. Don will share his insights as to why ABA as a helping science is also inclusive.

ABA is an inclusive field. Regardless of one’s race, cultural background, sexual identity, gender preference, socio-economic status, religion, diagnosis, or developmental history, the principles of learning can be applied to optimise one’s ability to learn and thrive. Positive changes in behaviour are likely because ABA takes into account the unique social and environmental circumstances that may impact successful learning. ABA analyses the role and determines the varying influence the environment has on one’s behaviour. The careful and culturally-sensitive approach to behavioural assessments places an individual’s safety, progress, and dignity as its highest priority.

The use of comprehensive assessments allows for individual progress to be measured and achieved. ABA utilises behavioural assessments such as direct observations and structured interviews in order to determine unique environmental factors that could hinder or accelerate progress. For instance, an ABA practitioner may collaborate with clients and their significant others to better understand their unique cultural practices, religious rituals, and socio-economic circumstances etc., to identify relevant resources to better support optimal learning. By bringing these unique social contexts into awareness, the knowledge gained from these assessments are likely to influence the individual’s adherence, and their parent/caregiver’s willingness to participate during intervention.

Interested to find out more? Watch out for the third blog post as Dr. Don continues to share his insights on how ABA can support learners in reaching their highest potentials through an individualised approach to teaching. Stay tuned!