ABA Jargon 101: Explaining Common Terms for Parents

Understanding Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can be a maze to navigate, especially when people throw around terms that feel like they are in a different language altogether. If you have ever been in a conversation where you are smiling and nodding, all while looking up “prompt fading” or “generalization”, I assure you, you are not the only one.

Well, the information you need does not require a degree in ABA to understand your child’s therapy. Here is some of the most common jargon used in ABA therapy which will enhance your understanding.

1️⃣ Reinforcement

• What It Means: A consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior happening again.

  
  

• Example: If your child says “please” and gets their favorite snack, they’re more likely to say “please” in the future.

  
  

• Why It Matters: Reinforcement is at the core of ABA and helps teach new skills by focusing on positive behaviors.

2️⃣ Prompt

• What It Means: A cue or assistance given to help your child perform a desired behavior.

• Example: Gently guiding your child’s hand to point at a picture is a physical prompt.

•Why It Matters: Prompts help your child learn new skills and are gradually removed (prompt fading) to encourage independence.

3️⃣ Generalization

• What It Means: The ability to apply a learned skill in new settings or with different people.

• Example: Your child learns to say “hi” in therapy and then starts greeting neighbors at the park.

• Why It Matters: Generalization ensures that skills learned in therapy are useful in real life.

4️⃣ Antecedent

• What It Means: What happens immediately before a behavior.

• Example: You ask your child to clean up their toys (antecedent), and they begin putting them away (behavior).

• Why It Matters: Understanding antecedents helps therapists predict and prevent challenging behaviors.

5️⃣ Behavior

• What It Means: Any observable and measurable action your child does.

• Example: Raising a hand, smiling, or saying “no.”

• Why It Matters: ABA focuses on behaviors because they’re measurable and can be influenced through interventions.

6️⃣ Consequence

• What It Means: What happens immediately after a behavior.

• Example: When your child shares a toy, you praise them (consequence).

• Why It Matters: Consequences can either increase (reinforce) or decrease (punish) the likelihood of a behavior happening again.

7️⃣ Function of Behavior

• What It Means: The reason or purpose behind a behavior.

• Example: Your child might cry to get attention or avoid a task.

• Why It Matters: Identifying the function helps therapists create effective interventions tailored to your child’s needs.

8️⃣ Fading

• What It Means: Gradually reducing prompts or reinforcement over time.

• Example: Starting with verbal reminders to use the toilet, then reducing reminders as your child becomes independent.

• Why It Matters: Fading ensures your child learns to perform skills on their own.

9️⃣ Preference Assessment

• What It Means: A process to figure out what your child likes and what motivates them.

• Example: Offering different toys and observing which one your child chooses.

• Why It Matters: Knowing what your child enjoys helps therapists use effective reinforcers during sessions.

🔟 Shaping

• What It Means: Gradually teaching a new skill by reinforcing small steps toward the goal.

• Example: Reinforcing your child for making the “mmm” sound when learning to say “mama.”

• Why It Matters: Shaping helps break down complex skills into manageable steps.

Takeaways for Parents

Knowing ABA jargon is crucial because it allows you to engage more actively in your child’s therapy. These specialized phrases serve as verbs that enable the therapist to efficiently assess, instruct, and maintain good behaviors during treatment. Remember that you should feel free to ask your therapy team to clarify any terms to you. They are there to assist you and ensure that you have a full grasp of your child’s treatment program.

Let’s Chat!

These jargon terms are vital as they allow the therapists to seamlessly gauge, instruct and reinforce positive actions throughout the treatment. Do not forget that you can ask your therapy team for explanations in words that you can understand. They want to support you, and they want to make sure that you fully understand every part of the treatment program that is designed for your child. Regarding other ABA jargons that you might have heard, feel free to contact us. We are glad to explain those terms for you. The more questions you have regarding these processes, the better we work as a cohesive unit to help your child succeed and get their full potential. Have questions? Contact us!