Baseline / Single Subject Design

In a single subject design, individuals serve as their own control (in other words, the result of the condition is compared to the participant’s own data). The intention of single subject design is to predict, verify, and replicate the outcomes of the intervention. Types of single subject design include: reversal design / withdrawal design / A-B-A, multiple baseline design / multiple probe design, alternating treatment design, and changing criterion design. The participant initially gives a baseline set of data, in which the participant is not under any interventions or influences. After the baseline is taken, an intervention is usually introduced resulting in a change in conditions, after which data is taken on the participant’s response to the change. In other words, single subject design is a research method in which treatment effectiveness is shown for an individual by demonstrating change from one level (e.g., baseline) to another (e.g., the level of individual subsequent to changing conditions, after measuring the baseline).

Behavior Analysis (BA)

Behavior analysis (or BA) is the science of human behavior. BA encompasses the study of an individual’s behavior, as well as the origins of that behavior and ways in which the behavior can be changed through various influences. BA is a tool that is frequently used to change problematic or undesirable behavior.

Behavior (Measurable Behavior)

Behavior is everything observable and measurable that we do as humans. Behavior can be an action, a verbal response, or some other response (or lack of response) to an antecedent. In the field of ABA, understanding whether something is considered behavior or not can be done using something called the  "Dead Man's Test.” That is: "If a dead man can do it, it ain't behavior.” For example, "being quiet" is not considered a behavior in ABA because a dead person can "be quiet." However, "becoming quiet" is considered a behavior in ABA because a dead person cannot "become quiet," as that would imply that they were not quiet / making noise before. When tracking, measuring, and/or describing behavior, the terms used should be based on what is observable, not based on interpretation. For example, terms such as “frustration” or “feeling like” are based on interpretation; while they may be based on an interpretation of observable behavior, “frustration” and “feeling” are not behaviors themselves because they are not actions or verbal responses. In place of those terms, it may be more appropriate to use “furrowed brows,” “vocal protest,” or “crossed arms” to define the behavior in response to an antecedent. Things like “excitement,” “worry,” “understanding,” “getting hungry” are not behaviors. However, saying you’re hungry (identifying that you’re hungry) is a behavior. Behavior is commonly thought of as having one of four functions (often referred to using the acronym SEAT):

• Sensory – it feels good (to acquire relief).
• Escape – from environment or situation.
• Attention – from others (adults or peers).
• Tangible – access to a specific thing, such as a toy or food.

Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) / Behavior Reduction Plan (BRP)

A Behavior Intervention Plan (or BIP) or Behavior Reduction Plan (or BRP) is a formal, written plan for teachers, parents, and professionals to follow in order to teach and reward a child’s positive behavior, and / or to help reduce a child’s problem behaviors. Both BIPs and BRPs are highly personalized to meet the needs of an individual child. A BIP or BRP is usually part of a more long-term plan, such as an Individualized Education Program (or IEP). A BIP or BRP may also be referred to as a Behavior Plan, Behavior Management Guidelines, Behavior Guidelines, or other similar names. The BRP is a plan generally written by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), outlining the challenging behaviors targeted for decrease, the replacement behaviors targeted for increase, and how to run the interventions necessary to execute the behavior changes.

Behaviorism / Radical Behaviorism

Behaviorism or behavioral psychology, is a doctrine that is based on the ideas that psychology is the science of behavior, and behaviors are acquired through conditioning from the environment. Radical behaviorism (a type of behaviorism) is the school of thought that behavior, rather than consciousness, should be the primary topic for study when it comes to psychological science. B. F. Skinner stressed the term radical behaviorism, which emphasizes the importance of reinforcement along with its relationship to behavior.

Behavior Reduction

Behavior reduction concepts in ABA refer to principles and strategies that are utilized to decrease the occurrence of undesirable or maladaptive behaviors in individuals. These include: differential reinforcement procedures, extinction procedures, and crisis / emergency procedures according to protocol. It should be noted that undesirable behaviors (maladaptive behaviors) arise from behavior deficits.

Behavior Technician (BT)

A Behavior Technician (BT) is an entry-level healthcare position focused on ABA treatment. BTs complete a basic 40-hour training and then typically work directly with individuals who have developmental disorders that affect behaviors, such as ASD. BTs typically work with and are supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Some states allow people who complete the BT 40-hour training to practice as a BT and conduct ABA treatment sessions. Other states require a BT to be registered with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) or with a state certification board to practice and conduct ABA treatment sessions (i.e., you must be an RBT or “Registered Behavior Technician” to conduct ABA treatment sessions). BTs implement treatment plans, collect behavioral data, and complete documentation of patient progress.

Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA)

A Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (or BCaBA) is a professional who is trained and certified to deliver ABA treatment. Many states and / or insurance companies require this certification and only recognize board (Behavior Analyst Certification Board or BACB) certified individuals as being able to properly authorize, oversee, manage, or supervise ABA programs. The BCaBA denotes the professional is at an assistant or associate level. This behavior analyst has an undergraduate degree and must work under a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). BCBAs and BCaBAs typically supervise direct staff and design the intervention and treatment plan.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (or BCBA) is a professional who is trained and certified to deliver ABA treatment. Many states and / or insurance companies require this certification and only recognize board (Behavior Analyst Certification Board or BACB) certified individuals as being able to properly authorize, oversee, manage, or supervise ABA programs. The BCBA denotes a professional with a graduate level degree that is certified by the BACB to enable them to engage in ABA treatment and oversight. The BCBA’s role is to assess individuals that engage in undesirable or maladaptive behaviors, determine the stimulus for these behaviors, guide ASD treatment, and oversee treatment delivered by Behavior Technicians (BTs), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs).

Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral (BCBA-D)

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral (or BCBA-D) is a professional that is trained and certified to deliver ABA treatment. Many states and / or insurance companies require this certification and only recognize board (Behavior Analyst Certification Board  or BACB) certified individuals as being able to properly authorize, oversee, manage, or supervise ABA programs. The BCBA-D denotes a professional with a doctorate degree that is certified by the BACB to enable them to engage in ABA treatment and oversight. BCBA-Ds work in the same capacity as BCBAs to assess individuals that engage in undesirable or maladaptive behaviors, determine the stimulus for these behaviors, guide ASD treatment, and oversee treatment delivered by Behavior Technicians (BTs), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs).