Overview Many areas where ABA is used Medicine Business Educational / School Settings Group Homes Senior Centers Environmental Applications Prevention Programs Other

Key Factors Approach is the key, not the intervention per se Emphasis on applying principles found within Experimental Analysis of Behavior Emphasis on empiricism Emphasis on single subject or quasi experimental designs (can use others) Emphasis on applied problems Others

Medicine Many applications Used to increase medicine compliance Used to increase exercise or reduce weight Used with individuals who are experiencing eating disorders Used with pain control Used to increase teeth brushing and flossing behavior Using to increase self-exams for breast and testicular cancer

Some Techniques Used Prompts for dental flossing Self-Monitoring for hypertension Social reinforcement techniques for pain control Contingency contracts for anorexia and bulimia Punishing techniques for vomiting in infants Token economy for individuals with diabetes Reinforcement techniques for following special diets

Business Used in reducing work place accidents Increasing worker productivity making products Increasing cold call contacts by sales representatives Others

Examples Use of token economies and prompts to: Reduce the number of workplace accidents Reduce safety hazards Reduce time away from work Use of reinforcement techniques to: Increase worker productivity Increase cold contacts Increase use of wellness programs Enhance job interviewing skills

Other Examples Use of prompts to: Reduce workplace accidents Increase interactions with new clients Change other behaviors Use of reinforcers to: Increase team productivity Reduce team conflict Others

Educational / School Applications Probably used most often and often inappropriately Use of tokens to increase learning / performance Use of self-evaluation to check quiz answers to increase test scores Use of self – reinforcement with goal setting Use of self-instruction as verbal prompts to learn a new behavior. Use of peer reinforcement for good handwriting behavior.

Other Examples Use of self recording, self monitoring, and reinforcement to increase grades Use of prompts to assist students with math problems Use of social reinforcers and extinction to reduce classroom problem behavior. Use of token economies to increase academic performance across 300 classrooms

Issues Problem in School Settings - Time Must use evaluation May need to have help in recording or monitoring behavior. Can be done Can be very effective for many behaviors. Can be extremely effective to increase academic performance.

Institutional Settings ABA is used a lot in training individuals to function independently Reinforcement used to keep clothes picked up and home clean Prompts for appropriate behavior Prompts and reinforcement for taking medications Many others

Advantage Can be used individually or for the entire home or center. Is extremely effective Must know the applicable laws Be knowledgible about problems that can occur when removing reinforcers and have contingencies in place

Environmental Applications Prompts to place trash in garbage receptacles Reinforcement for not speeding with trucking companies Reinforcement for energy conservation Prompts for employees and guests to wash their hands after using the bathroom Prompts for physicians and nurses to wash their hands before and after examining patients Monetary reinforcers for liter pickup Monetary reinforcers for waste recycling

Conclusions Can be done with a wide variety of behavior Can be used in a wide variety of situations Use the basic principles Identify the target behavior Do a functional analysis if appropriate Monitor the behavior Design and implement an intervention Monitor during and following the intervention