Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy
October 5, 2016 5:03 PM   Subscribe

I'm looking to better understand the theory and practice of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) with children (on the autism spectrum and otherwise) and would appreciate some book/article/forum recommendations to that effect. A few specifics inside.

I am looking for things like a general reference or introduction an ABA therapist might learn from in their first couple years of schooling. High-quality online resources are also fine; however, online resources are chock full of woo and I am flatly uninterested in woo or woo-adjacent nonsense. Ideally they should be comprehensible for a college-educated layperson, and not so jargon-filled you need two years of schooling to get the jargon down before you can read the work. But more in-depth than "What's ABA Therapy?" pamphlets intended for parents.
posted by Eyebrows McGee to Education (5 answers total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
I have sent your question to my mom, who has a Master's in ABA therapy and works with lots of kids on the spectrum (and otherwise). Will update or memail you when I get a reply.
posted by jrobin276 at 5:16 PM on October 5, 2016 [1 favorite]


Cooper's Applied Behavior Analysis is a classic. How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst is also often recommended. This "Essential Readings for Graduate Students in Behavior Analysis" will have great suggestions, too.
posted by superlibby at 5:18 PM on October 5, 2016 [5 favorites]


Whatever else you read, make sure to read some autistic people's takes on ABA. (Spoiler alert: it's abusive and denies respect and agency to autistic people.) A good source for these is The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism. Also Autistic Self Advocacy Network and The Loud Hands Project.
posted by Daily Alice at 5:22 PM on October 5, 2016 [16 favorites]


Hi - I am currently in an ABA based graduate program. (end of second year) Seconding superlibby and Cooper's Applied (which I am currently studying furiously in preparation for comps in November.) HOWEVER.... ABA therapists can take a super simplistic approach (in my opinion) to behaviors with more complex underpinnings. I like to throw in some developmentalist theory with my work, and as long as I have provided articles that support my approach - have received good marks from my professors. I did spend four years in undergrad working with an agency providing habiltiation support to adults and children on various stages of the spectrum. Memail me and I may be able to point you to specific articles/resources.
posted by Gyre,Gimble,Wabe, Esq. at 6:29 PM on October 5, 2016 [2 favorites]


Abainternational.org might be able to point you in the right directio
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:49 PM on October 5, 2016


« Older Drumpf Picture Request   |   How to get an accepted offer on a house -... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.