Facts about ABA for Families (CASP) Q&A about ABA (CASP)

1. Begins early, before age 3

2. Working closely with families - include extended family and caregivers

3. Incorporates student interest and motivation

4. Focus on independence

5. Provides a structured environment

6. Plans for generalization to natural environments

7. Places an emphasis on fluency

8. Focuses on teaching play/leisure skills and facilitating social opportunities

9. Offers opportunity to practice mastered skills, prevents regression

10. Assessments inform individualized instruction

11. Appropriate consents are obtained before conducting assessments or implementing behavior plans.

12. Emphasis on data collection and pre-treatment (baseline) measures

13. Progress is monitored via visual display.

14. Changes made are based on measures of progress

15. Emphasis on determining functions of behavior and identifying replacement behaviors

16. ABA programs establish predictability and routine

17. Provides immediate feedback is given to student

18. Use of accurate, immediate models, errorless strategies

19. Ongoing supervision is provided by a competent, trained individual (often a Board Certified Behavior Analyst)

20. Allows for increased staff to student attention (low ratios)

21. ABA programs are typically more intense than traditional teaching approaches

22. Behavior plans, teaching programs are written down

23. Increases opportunity for active student responding

24. Relies on research-driven, empircally-validated teaching techniques

25.  Interdisciplinary; involves collaboration with other disciplines, including medical staff as appropriate

26. Places an emphasis on generative/pivotal skills

27. Takes into consideration consumer satisfaction (social validity)

28. Use of self-monitoring/self-management techniques (helps foster independence)

29. Teaching programs and behavior plans are monitored and updated on an ongoing basis (based on measures of progress)

30. The learner LOVES learning