Applied Behaviour Analysis

What is Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)?

ABA provides an approach for developing, implementing, and evaluating practical strategies to produce changes in socially significant behaviors of individuals in the contexts of home, school and community settings. Three important features characterise the scientific basis upon which ABA is built: a) it focuses upon objectively measurable behavior of an individual or system; b) it studies environmental influences upon the targeted behaviors; and c) it places a premium upon single-subject research designs to analyse the effects of different environmental variables.

ABA is a well-developed discipline among the helping professions, with a mature body of scientific knowledge, established standards for evidence-based practice, distinct methods of service, recognised experience and educational requirements for practice.

Why study Applied Behaviour Analysis?

• A qualification in Applied Behaviour Analysis prepares graduates to work in a variety of fields including intellectual and developmental disabilities in both adult and child populations, education, mental health, residential supports and community living, and rehabilitation for individuals with acquired brain injuries.
• To develop the knowledge and skills needed to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) [see http://www.bacb.com/ ]. This certification allows a BCBA® to practice as an independent practitioner who may also work as an employee or independent contractor for an organisation.
• To contribute to the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis by producing quality research and increased evidence-based treatments for persons with developmental disabilities and other disorders.

Careers in Applied Behaviour Analysis:

Graduates are taught the necessary skills and knowledge to work in various settings as applied behaviour analysts. They are also given the necessary training for graduates to apply for board certification in behaviour analysis from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board [ http://www.bacb.com/].

Those graduates who become certified behaviour analysts (BCBA®) will teach others to carry out ethical and effective behavior analytic interventions based on published research and design and deliver instruction in behaviour analysis.

The programme helps prepare graduates to work in a variety of educational settings, community settings, residential programmes, rehabilitation programmes and mental health centers, research facilities, and home-based programmes for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities.

Graduates from the Masters in ABA choose employment in a variety of areas including:

• Autism treatment specialists in ABA schools, special schools and special classes
• ABA supervisors in state funded ABA schools
• Behaviour specialists within the Health Service Executive
• Behaviour specialists in positive behaviour support teams within national service providers
• Behaviour support workers within the HSE
• Home tutors to children with autism diagnoses receiving intensive behavioural intervention
• ABA supervisors in home programmes for early intervention with autism
• Consultants to home-based education programmes for pre-school children with autism diagnoses
• Family support workers for fostered children with behavioural disorders
• Behaviour specialists working within rehabilitation programmes for persons with acquired brain injury

We would like to thank Achieve ABA School, Dublin (students, parents and staff) for providing photos for this web page.

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