Elise Reed

Being an ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapist is both challenging and deeply rewarding. ABA therapy is a scientifically grounded, evidence-based approach used primarily to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improve various skills, including communication, social behaviors, self-care, and academics. As an ABA therapist, your role is to apply principles of behavior analysis to help clients achieve meaningful changes in their behavior and quality of life.

Here’s a breakdown of what being an ABA therapist entails:

1. Working with Clients

• Individualized Plans: Every client is unique, and you’ll often work with a team to develop tailored interventions based on assessments like the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). These plans are meant to teach new skills or reduce problematic behaviors.
• Skill Development: ABA therapy focuses on reinforcing positive behaviors while teaching new skills. You may work on teaching a child to communicate, follow instructions, improve social skills, or even manage self-regulation.
• Behavior Modification: A significant part of the role involves understanding the antecedents (what happens before a behavior), the behavior itself, and the consequences (what happens after). By manipulating these components, you can help reduce unwanted behaviors (e.g., tantrums or aggression) and encourage desired behaviors.

2. Data Collection

• ABA is a highly data-driven approach. As an ABA therapist, you’ll be responsible for tracking the client’s progress through detailed and precise data collection. This data is essential for adjusting treatment plans and measuring the effectiveness of the interventions.
• You’ll record behaviors using tools like frequency counts, duration measurements, or interval recording to track progress over time.

3. Collaboration with Families

• A large part of ABA therapy involves working closely with the client’s family members. It’s important to involve parents and caregivers in the process, as they are essential in reinforcing skills outside of therapy sessions.
• You might also train family members on how to implement specific strategies, so the progress continues outside of formal therapy settings.

4. Implementing Interventions

• Discrete Trial Training (DTT): This is a structured method used to teach a variety of skills, such as language and social behaviors, through repeated trials and reinforcement.
• Natural Environment Teaching (NET): Unlike DTT, NET takes place in the client’s natural environment (home, school, community) and focuses on teaching skills in context, using real-world situations.
• Verbal Behavior Therapy (VBT): VBT is a method based on teaching functional communication through the principles of ABA.

I am currently a semester away from graduating with a Masters in ABA from Arizona State University.