Welcome to #TeamBxProg’s official blog!
Here, you will be able to access helpful resources and content related to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and our company. To start out, we wanted to share a summary of ABA and how ABA can help you and your loved ones.
Why are we here?
As behavior analysts and therapists, we are here to help you establish and maintain effective progress with an individual’s behavior while keeping a positive relationship with them, at the same time! Our goal is to create systems that allows the individuals we work with to engage in less problematic behaviors and more appropriate behaviors – while ensuring all strategies fit within the individual’s family and support system. We want this experience to be positive for not only the individual, but also for those who care for them.
What is ABA?
So, what does ABA even mean? Applied Behavior Analysis is a complex term that can be broken down more simply. ABA is an applied science – we target what is important in your life by applying technologies that are SCIENTIFICALLY proven to improve behavior.
Applied - We focus on what is significant to you
Behavior - We focus on the behaviors that are currently occurring
Analysis - We assess progress and adapt as needed
Functional Relations
The term functional relation is one we use to describe WHY problematic behaviors are occurring and why appropriate behaviors are not occurring as much as we would like.
Functional relations are relationships between 2 variables.
Variable 1 (Independent Variable):
The environment
Variable 2 (Dependent Variable):
The behavior
A change in Variable 1 will influence Variable 2.
Here are some examples to describe this concept:
If the AC is turned down, I am more likely to go get a jacket (to get warm).
If an individual is told ‘no,’ they are more likely to have a tantrum as compared to when they are told ‘yes’ (in attempt to access what they were told ‘no’ to).
If Variable 1 consistently results in an effect in Variable 2, then this is known as a functional relation.
This means the Variable 1 has control over Variable 2.
Our behavior serves a “function” to access what we are attempting to access in our daily lives.
Why are functional relations significant?
We can alter them to change behavior! Functional relations are PATTERNS. Our lives consist of patterns. That is how we can expect how our behaviors might serve us in life; more specifically, what we anticipate we will get out of the behavior we engage in. This is the same for the individuals we work with.
Behavioral events can be observed in 3 sections: Antecedent > Behavior > Consequence.
Antecedent = Trigger for behavior
Child is told no when he asks for cookies for breakfast
Behavior = What the individual does (what can we clearly and objectively observe)
Child drops to the floor and screams
Consequence = What happens right after the behavior (what might be controlling the likelihood of the behavior)
Mom says, “fine, just one” and provides the cookies
Note: This same consequence might not ALWAYS occur (sometimes you follow through), but if this consequence is provided enough, this pattern convinces the individual that the problematic behavior (drops to the floor and screams) might result in the consequence they are looking for (cookies). This being said, the child now has an understanding that crying and dropping to the floor might make mom “cave” and give him cookies. This is now a pattern.
Why does ABA work?
ABA works because we look at what is currently motivating the behavior and change the environment, so the individual is more motivated to behave appropriately.
Behavior occurs to access desirable consequences or terminate undesirable events.
Examples
When Caroline cries, her mom asks her, “what is wrong?”
Caroline calms down because she now has the attention and support from her mom
When John runs away, he does not have to clean his room anymore
John now is able to avoid cleaning his room
When Ashley steals Joey’s toy and Joey hits her, Ashley drops the toy and runs away
Joey is able to get the toy back
If we can evaluate and manipulate the motivation, we can effectively change these patterns.
When does ABA not work?
You may have heard someone tell you that “ABA did not work for my child” or something similar. If ABA is used correctly, meaning the strategies selected are individualized to and appropriate for the individual, and are feasible for the individual’s support system to implement, ABA will ALWAYS work. #TeamBxProg is committed to ensuring the strategies selected are based off of a thorough assessment of the individual’s current skills and skill deficits. Caregiver, family, and individual values and goals are always incorporated in program development to ensure the strategies are feasible for the individual’s support system to implement. These strategies are closely monitored and updated, as needed.
When you incorporate ABA into your life, there are a few considerations for you to make in order to enhance effectiveness:
Consistency
Follow through
Commitment
These considerations are crucial to the success of ABA therapy.
Any deficits in these areas will negatively affect the individual’s behavioral progress.
So, what is the process?
This is what you can expect when you begin the journey of ABA with Behavioral Progression:
An assessment is conducted to evaluate the individual’s behavior, environment, and common consequences for appropriate and inappropriate behavior
We design strategies which alter these consequences so that positive consequences are specifically provided when appropriate behaviors occur, and not provided when inappropriate behaviors occur.
A treatment plan is developed that is individualized based on the assessment results
Caregiver training, direct therapy or consultation, and oversight from the supervisor occur on an ongoing basis
Frequent evaluations occur to assess the effectiveness of the chosen interventions
Evaluations include review of data in order to ensure any modifications made are data-based decisions as well as oversight and feedback to ensure all caregivers and therapists are implementing the strategies successfully
Updates are made as needed (if procedures are no longer effective, or the client is progressing in a way that requires modifications)
While there are a wide variety of recommendations and tips on the internet for behavior change, when choosing ABA services with Behavioral Progression, you can guarantee you are selecting evidenced-based strategies derived from the science of human behavior that will result in successful behavior change and quality improvements. Our caring and compassionate team members offer various programs which can be tailored to your individual and family needs. We respect what you value and will work alongside of you to meet behavioral goals and achieve quality outcomes.
Contact us for more information:
813-602-0068
More information can also be found on our:
About the author
Jesenia Giambrone is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Jesenia worked with children as a dance instructor beginning as a teenager. When continuing her education at USF, she found the field of ABA by chance and has stuck with it ever since. Jesenia began working with Behavioral Progression in 2015, as one of the original team members working closely with the founder and CEO, Nicole Minard. Jesenia started out as a brand new behavior therapist and grew into the BCBA role. Jesenia worked up to the coordinator of the company’s training and quality assurance departments to disseminate her direct training, mentorship, and company values across our ever-growing team. Jesenia places a strong emphasis on reading and increasing her knowledge of ABA research, and she cannot wait to dive deeper into this area to provide clinical support to the team.