Ability
Refers to what an individual is capable of doing. This is sometimes used to contrast with performance, which refers to what an individual actually does on a given occasion.
Acquisition
The time during which an individual is learning a new behavior. Data collected on the rate and accuracy of skill being acquired informs the interventionist working with an individual as to whether the teaching procedures being used need to be adjusted.
Active Student Responding (Learning)
Hallmark of ABA instructional procedures, this is the requirement that students need to learn skill through interacting with their environment (teachers, instructional materials), as opposed to trying to learn by simply sitting back and observing or listening. The child must demonstrate the skill to infer that learning has taken place.
Activities of Daily Living
ADL. Refers to a myriad of behaviors involved in taking care of one’s self (toilet usage, washing, dressing, eating, etc.). These behaviors are also referred to as self-help skills.
Activity Reinforcer
Individual earns access to a favored activity by engaging in less favored activities. Results in an increase in target behavior. Eddie is more likely to complete his homework because he is only allowed to play video games once the homework is done.
Analogue
Referring to an attempt to recreate the real-life situation within the laboratory. Some functional analyses are conducted by staging typical situations within the laboratory. This is done to determine the function of a behavior.
Antecedent
Stimulus that immediately precedes a behavior. Sometimes called a prompt.
Appetitive Stimulus
Refers to a reinforcing stimulus. Positive reinforcer.
Behavior Specific Praise
Telegraphic praise. Form of praise that describes the behavior. “Good sitting” “I like the way you’re looking at me”.
Behavior Treatment Plan
Written description outlining how relevant individuals in a client’s environment should respond if a given target behavior occurs, or if a given target behavior does not occur. This plan should specify exactly what behavior is under consideration, what the behavior treatment plan is called in clinical literature, the rationale for choosing this particular technique vs. other available techniques, any consideration or special information interventionists need to know that are particular to this individual, the data collection system, and when one should stop doing the plan.
Block of Trials
Term often used in descrete trial teaching, it refers to a set of attempts (trials) to teach or practice a given skill. It is important to note that a block of trials can consist of any number.
Data
Pieces of information gathered to guide the decision-making process. ABA relies on data-based decision making. Teaching and behavior management programs are based upon information that is systematically gathered during the teaching/working process.
Data Sampling
Process of gathering estimates of behavior through specific data collection strategies. Esp. useful when one is trying to collect data on a given competing behavior while one is simultaneously trying to teach a separate skill.
Cumulative Record
Record of behavior as measured by a cumulative recorder. On the cumulative record, a flat line indicates a period of no performance of target behavior, The steeper the slope of the line, the more the target behavior has been emitted.
Cumulative Recorder
Device used in basic research in the “old days”. A pen rests on paper that rotates through a machine on a consistent, regular interval. If the organism emits the target response, the pen jumps slightly.
Covert Behavior
Radical behaviorism. Refers to behavior that is not accessible to another individual. This is often used to refer to internal states such as thoughts and feelings. An important aspect is that these events are not considered any less lawful nor determined than more public behavior.
Consequence
Specific immediate result of a given behavior. May or may not have behavior-altering properties.
Case Study
Description of the background of a particular individual, usually used to assist in treatment decisions. Because much of the information obtained in a case study involves recollection, information may suffer from biases and inaccuracies. Very vulnerable to confounds and shouldn’t be the sole basis upon which treatment decisions are made.
Least Restrictive Environment
Most normalized environment in which a student can make academic and social gains. What is defined as the least restrictive environment is a very controversial area, with decisions having to be made regarding the importance of academic functioning, social functioning, impact on other students, etc.
Least Restrictive Treatment Model
Ethical stance subscribed to by behavior analysts. Refers to the general principle that one does not implement a more aversive procedure before experimentally demonstrating that all less aversive and more reinforcing procedures have been attempted and proven ineffective for addressing the behavior in question.
Frequency
Sheer number of target responses counted. Related to rate of response
Empirically Verified
Claim that has been supported by well-controlled research.
Inclusion
General philosophy of education that states that most, if not all, students with disabilities will spend all or the majority of their time participating with their typically-developing peers. Used interchangeably with mainstreaming but generally refers to a much broader, and possibly social effort. 1. How much time the student spends with typically developing peers, 2. home close he is to typically developing peers (TDP) academically and behaviorally, 3. How much support is needed, etc.
Momentary Time Sampling
Data sampling procedure wherein times is broken up into specific intervals. Observer records whether or not specific target behavior occurs at a specific moment. Percentage measure of the number of intervals in which the behavior was observed at the moment of observation is derived.
