Terms

ABA Terms and Jargon

Quick Reference Glossary 

We decided to put together a simplified glossary of commonly used terms within the field of ABA. Since we are a profession based on science, we tend to use technical terms that are related to our profession’s terminology. Please take a look below and bookmark this page for a quick reference to terms.

 

ABA - Applied Behaviour Analysis is the application of strategic science-based operational techniques based on the principles of behaviour.

ABA Therapist - The ABA therapist is a frontline worker who applies the principles of ABA under the guidance of a professionally trained BCBA, (Behaviour Certified Board Analyst).

ABC's of Behaviour - Antecedent, Behaviour, Consequence.

Antecedent - What happened before a behaviour.

Autism Spectrum Disorders - Disorders which involve a range of deficits that occur along a spectrum.

Behaviour – Observable actions made by an individual.

Chaining – Breaking tasks down into steps.

Consequence – The result of an action.

Deprivation – Being without something considered essential.

Developmentally Delayed – A condition where the person does not reach typical milestones of development, notably physical, cognitive, behaviour, emotional and social.

Discrete Trial Training (DTT) – A highly structured one-on-one teaching method which breaks down skills and teaches them in small increments.

Discriminative stimulus (SD) – A stimulus, (prompt) that increases the probability of a response.

Echoic – A type of behaviour which involves repeating the same sound or word after it is heard.

Echolalia – A type of behaviour which involves repeating sounds, phrases or words at any given time from memory.

Extinction – The elimination of reinforcement for a behaviour.

Extinction burst – Shortly after the removal of a reinforcer the behaviour gets worse before it gets better.

FBA (Functional Behaviour Analysis) – An assessment done that identifies a specific behaviour, identifying the factors that support the behaviour and determine the purpose of why the behaviour is happening.

Fine Motor Skills – Skills which involve the use of small muscle groups, (writing, scissors, etc.).

Generalization The ability to use new skills across different environments.

Gross Motor Skills – Skills which involved large muscle groups, (standing, walking, etc.).

Intraverbal – A response which is based on verbal input, (eg. responding to a question).

Mand – When a person verbally asks for something.

NET – NET stands for Natural Environment Teaching, where ABA is applied within the natural environment of the learner, (eg. while they’re playing with toys).

Pairing – A term used for building rapport with a client. This term refers to associating yourself with the individual’s favourite items to improve your value from their perspective

PECS – PECS or Picture Exchange Communication System, is an alternative method of communication that uses pictures with words underneath.

Probe – An assessment to measure the level of a specific skill. This is usually used at the beginning of therapy or when a new skill is introduced in order to gauge previous knowledge.

Prompt – A prompt is an instruction that is given before a behaviour. It can take on different forms: visual (pictures), verbal(voice), gestural (pointing), modelling (showing them) and physical (physically guiding them).

Prompt Dependent – Prompt dependency can happen when an individual awaits instructions instead of initiating in a task.

Punishment – A consequence that aims to reduce behaviour.

RBT - Registered Behaviour Technician.

Reinforcement – Something that follows a behaviour that increases the likelihood of it occurring again.

Satiation – The reduction in satisfaction with an item or need, (when a child gets bored with a certain toy).

Scrolling – Multiple responses are given based on effectiveness in the past. Individuals will list or, “scroll” answers they previously gave in hopes that one is correct.

Self injurious behaviour (SIB) – Any behaviour that results in physical harm to themselves.

Shaping – A teaching method that involves rewarding an individual throughout a step-by-step process in obtaining a target behaviour.

Spontaneous Recovery – The re-emergence of a particular behaviour that was thought to be eliminated.

Stimulus - A stimulus is something that causes a reaction or response. It can be anything that we hear, smell, see, touch or taste.

Tact – A verbal behaviour when the individual labels something.

Target Behaviour The behaviour identified, (by the FBA) that needs to change.

Task Analysis – The process of breaking down complex tasks into small, simple steps.