During my time in Malaysia, I have been asked this question " What ABA model do you operate from?- is it Lovaas? is it the UCLA model? is it the early autism partnership model?"
I am very confused by this. I guess my confusion lies here: Applied Behavior Analysis is a science, shouldn't a form of science be the same thing? Shouldn't we all operate from the same model just like any other form of science?
Of course I understand having worked at a PCDI dissemination site, we utilized the technology of activity schedules widely ( the founders of the school created the technology of activity schedules.) However, we still operate from the science of Applied Behavior Analysis. We still operate from a technology that has shown reliable, valid and evidence based results that are effective.
Lovaas, Sunberg, Jack Michael, Brian Iwata, and Thomas Freeman are all scientist that have studied the literature extensively, conducted research, published research and reported their findings. All of them have contributed to the field of ABA widely. Just like any other scientist that studies specific things in molecular biology , these scientist have also concentrated in the research of specific things as well. For example, Dr. Ivar Lovaas he was an amazing and knowledgeable man, the Lovaas approach states clearly that it is based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr Lovaas, focused more on incidental teaching in the child's natural environment and discrete trial teaching. But if you go on the website and read more, he envelopes the science of applied behavior analysis in his implementation of ABA. The Lovaas approach does use prompting strategies, functional communications, etc.Another example, Jack Michael, he concentrates his research on verbal behavior and Iwata researches on the functions of behavior. This does not mean we primary should follow their model of reported findings and just do what they do specifically. This means, we learn from what they have learned and try to replicate their findings if need be, using all the technology that we have in place based on ABA. Lovaas has contributed so much to the the field and his work is being replicated everywhere in great ABA programs. So what does this all mean? What should an ABA program look like? A great ABA program does not follow any specific model, it does not use just some strategies, and it must be individualized to the child's current needs. A good ABA program follows the science of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Therefore, when asked these days what model I follow, I try to be respectful enough and say I don't. However, we do follow the science of Applied Behavior Analysis and any program implementing teaching procedures using ABA should follow and be committed to the 'Seven dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis' ( Baer, Wolf, and Risley, 1968).
The dimensions are:
1) Applied: this means that when choosing a behavior, the behavior chosen should be socially significant and have socially valid importance to the individual
2) Behavioral: behavior that is chosen should be measurable and documents that is was the individual behavior that was changed.
3) Analytic: a functional relation should be demonstrated. In other words, the intervention chosen should show experimental control over the occurrence and non-occurrence of the behavior.
4) Technological: the written procedures in the individualized program for the child or the written description of the procedures in a study should be written clearly so that others can understand it and replicate it.
5) Conceptually systematic: all the interventions that are being used should be derived from the basic principles of behavior.
6) Effective: The intervention chosen or the program chosen for your child should improve behavior to produce pratical results for your child.
7) Generality: the intervention produces behavior that we can see across different environments and spread to other behaviors. Your child behavior should generalize to different settings, people and materials.
The seven dimensions should serve as the primary "model" when evaluating a good ABA program.
There should not be any other "model". There should always be great science in ABA and only then will your child benefit fully.
I hope this helps you pick a good ABA program for your child.
As usual, email me with questions if any :)
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