Any profession that requires interactions with people or animals can benefit from a better understanding of the science of behavior. A wide variety of disciplines can benefit from an understanding of how to predict behavior, how to change behavior, how to measure behavior, how to define behavior. The Science of Behavior, Behavior Analysis, has many practical applications (ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis), that go beyond the effective treatment of children with Autism.
However, effective treatment of autism typically benefits from an interdisciplinary approach, as many different specialty disciplines have much to contribute. Working effectively and cooperatively as an interdisciplinary team can sometimes be challenging often because the individual members have limited understanding of the basic science of behavior, as a science and not a discipline.
The science of behavior is not the same as “ABA treatment”; the science is the base from which all human behavior is developed. ABA is most closely associated with the science of behavior because of ABA’s focus on changing and motivating behavior. However, different disciplines can incorporate the science of behavior without becoming Behavior Analysts. This page will offer resources for a variety of disciples and professions which will most likely be accessed by individuals with autism. Defining the inter-relationship of each discipline with the science of behavior permits clear, focused treatment approaches with maximum benefit from each discipline’s unique contribution.
Some General Information on the Science of Behavior
- How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst. Bailey, Jon, & Burch, Mary (2006). Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
From the Introduction: “This book was written to acquaint readers with the field of applied behavior analysis. We believe that parents, teachers, college students, business managers, and anyone else who has an interest in human behavior (either out of curiosity or as part of a job) will benefit from this brief overview of the field.” - Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)
- Lone Star Association for Behavior Analysis (LSABA)
- Texas Association for Behavior Analysis (TxABA)
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB)
- Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA)
- Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies
- Association for Science in Autism Treatment
Helpful Information for Professionals working with Individuals with ASD
- Board Certification Information
- ABA Coursework is offered online at many universities and locally through:
- Link to website with possible scholarship information
- Scholarship Information for Public School Staff
- Conference Stipends are often available from FEAT-Houston for local ABA conferences. Watch FEAT emails for details.
- ABA Coursework Scholarships are available for public school staff. Application available here.
- ABA Guidelines for ASD. This resource, Health Plan Coverage of Applied Behavior Analysis Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) contains general guidance and basic descriptions of typical ABA service delivery. This resource can also be found on the BACB website under Documents.
- Ethics & ABA: A Parent Perspective – A presentation by Dr. Amy Wood
Helpful Information for Your Profession
Visit our Helpful Information for Your Profession Page to get specific guidance for:
- For Speech Therapists
- For Occupational Therapists
- For Medical Professionals
- For Teachers
- For LPC’s
- For Psychologists
