A
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis)
Evidence-based therapy that improves socially significant behaviors through systematic interventions.
Applied Behavior Analysis is a scientific approach to understanding behavior and learning. It uses principles of how people learn to improve meaningful behaviors like communication, social skills, and daily living skills. ABA is recognized by the US Surgeon General and major medical organizations as the gold standard treatment for autism.
ABC Data
A method of recording what happens before, during, and after a behavior.
ABC stands for Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence. This data collection method helps therapists understand what triggers behaviors (antecedent), what the behavior looks like, and what happens afterward (consequence). This information guides intervention planning.
Antecedent
What happens immediately before a behavior occurs.
In ABA, an antecedent is any event, action, or circumstance that occurs right before a behavior. Understanding antecedents helps identify triggers for both desired and challenging behaviors, allowing therapists to modify the environment to promote positive outcomes.
ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
A neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication and behavior.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental condition that affects how people communicate, interact, and experience the world. It's called a 'spectrum' because it affects everyone differently. People with autism have unique strengths and challenges, and many thrive with appropriate support.
B
BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board)
The organization that certifies behavior analysts (BCBAs and BCaBAs).
The BACB is an independent, nonprofit organization that oversees professional credentialing for behavior analysts. They establish standards for education, experience, and ethics. When looking for ABA services, ensure providers have BACB-certified staff.
BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)
A master's-level professional certified to provide ABA therapy services.
BCBAs hold a master's degree in behavior analysis or a related field, have completed supervised fieldwork, and passed a certification exam. They design individualized treatment plans, supervise therapy sessions, analyze data, and train families and staff. At Buzz ABA, your BCBA leads your child's entire program.
BCaBA (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst)
A bachelor's-level professional who assists BCBAs in delivering ABA services.
BCaBAs work under the supervision of a BCBA to help implement behavior analysis programs. They can assist with assessments, implement interventions, and collect data, but work within the scope defined by their supervising BCBA.
Behavior
Any observable and measurable action a person does.
In ABA, behavior refers to any action that can be observed and measured. This includes things we want to increase (like communication) and things we want to decrease (like aggression). By defining behaviors specifically, we can track progress objectively.
BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan)
A written plan for addressing challenging behaviors with positive strategies.
A BIP outlines specific strategies for preventing challenging behaviors and teaching replacement skills. It's based on a functional behavior assessment and includes proactive strategies, teaching alternatives, and how to respond when behaviors occur. The goal is always to understand and address the underlying need.
C
Consequence
What happens immediately after a behavior occurs.
Consequences are events that follow a behavior and influence whether that behavior will happen again. Positive consequences (like praise or preferred activities) tend to increase behavior, while other consequences may decrease it. ABA focuses on arranging consequences that promote learning.
D
DTT (Discrete Trial Training)
A structured teaching method that breaks skills into small, teachable steps.
Discrete Trial Training is a one-on-one teaching approach where skills are broken into small components. Each 'trial' has a clear beginning (instruction), middle (child's response), and end (consequence/feedback). DTT is effective for teaching new skills systematically.
E
Early Intervention
Providing therapy services to young children (typically under age 5) as early as possible.
Early intervention refers to starting therapy during the critical developmental window of early childhood. Research shows that children who receive ABA therapy starting at ages 2-3 often make the most significant gains due to brain plasticity. However, it's never too late to benefit from ABA.
Extinction
Gradually reducing a behavior by no longer reinforcing it.
Extinction is a procedure where a behavior that was previously reinforced is no longer reinforced, leading to a gradual decrease. It's often used alongside teaching replacement behaviors. During extinction, behavior may temporarily increase (extinction burst) before decreasing.
F
FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment)
A process for understanding why a behavior occurs.
An FBA is a systematic way to identify what triggers and maintains challenging behaviors. By understanding the function (purpose) of a behavior—whether it's to get something, avoid something, or meet a sensory need—we can develop effective interventions that teach better alternatives.
Function of Behavior
The reason or purpose behind a behavior—what the person gets from it.
All behavior serves a function. Common functions include: attention (getting interaction from others), escape (avoiding tasks or situations), access to tangibles (getting preferred items), and automatic/sensory (internal stimulation). Understanding function guides intervention.
G
Generalization
Using a learned skill in new situations, with new people, or in new settings.
Generalization means a skill learned in therapy transfers to real life. A child who learns to request 'more snack' during therapy should eventually request 'more' for other things, with other people, in other places. True learning is demonstrated through generalization.
I
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
A legal document outlining special education services for a child in public school.
An IEP is a written plan for children who qualify for special education services under IDEA. It includes annual goals, accommodations, and services the school will provide. ABA goals and school goals should align and support each other.
M
Maintenance
Continuing to demonstrate a skill over time after it was learned.
Maintenance refers to retaining learned skills over time without continued intensive teaching. A skill is truly mastered when a child uses it correctly weeks or months after it was learned. ABA programs include maintenance checks to ensure lasting progress.
Mand
A request or demand for something wanted or needed.
In verbal behavior analysis, a mand is a verbal response that specifies what the speaker wants. Teaching children to mand (request) is often an early focus in ABA because it gives them power to communicate their needs effectively, reducing frustration and challenging behaviors.
N
NET (Natural Environment Teaching)
Teaching skills during natural activities and play, following the child's interests.
Natural Environment Teaching (also called incidental teaching) embeds learning opportunities into everyday activities and play. Skills are taught in context—for example, teaching 'open' when a child wants a container opened. NET promotes generalization and keeps learning fun and motivating.
Neurodiversity
The concept that neurological differences are natural human variations, not deficits.
Neurodiversity recognizes that conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia represent natural variations in how human brains work. A neurodiversity-affirming approach respects and celebrates these differences while supporting individuals to thrive and achieve their own goals.
Neurodiversity-Affirming ABA
ABA therapy that respects autistic identity while teaching genuinely helpful skills.
Neurodiversity-affirming ABA honors the autistic person's identity and focuses on teaching skills that improve quality of life based on the individual's own goals. It avoids trying to make people appear 'normal' and instead supports them to communicate, regulate, and access the life they want.
P
Pairing
Building a positive relationship by associating yourself with fun and preferred things.
Before intensive teaching begins, therapists 'pair' themselves with reinforcement by engaging in preferred activities with the child. This builds trust and motivation. A child who enjoys being with their therapist learns better. Pairing continues throughout therapy.
PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)
A communication system using pictures to help people express needs.
PECS is an augmentative communication system where individuals exchange picture cards to communicate. It's often used with children who have limited verbal skills to give them a way to request, comment, and interact while speech is developing.
Positive Reinforcement
Adding something desired after a behavior to increase that behavior in the future.
Positive reinforcement is the primary teaching tool in ABA. When a child does something we want to encourage (like using words to request), we provide something they enjoy (like the item requested, praise, or a high-five). This increases the likelihood they'll use words again.
Prompt
Help or cues given to assist someone in completing a task correctly.
Prompts are supports that help a child respond correctly. They range from full physical assistance to verbal hints to gestures. The goal is to use the least intrusive prompt needed and systematically fade prompts over time until the child responds independently.
R
RBT (Registered Behavior Technician)
A trained technician who provides direct ABA therapy under BCBA supervision.
RBTs are frontline therapists who work directly with children during ABA sessions. They've completed 40+ hours of training and passed a competency assessment. RBTs implement treatment plans designed by the BCBA and collect data on progress. At Buzz ABA, your child's RBT becomes a trusted part of your family's team.
Reinforcement
Any consequence that increases the likelihood of a behavior happening again.
Reinforcement is a core principle of ABA. Something is reinforcing if it makes a behavior more likely to occur in the future. This varies by individual—what reinforces one child may not reinforce another. Effective ABA identifies each child's unique reinforcers.
Replacement Behavior
An appropriate alternative behavior that serves the same function as a challenging behavior.
Instead of just reducing problem behaviors, ABA teaches replacement behaviors. If a child screams to get attention, we teach them to say 'play with me.' If they hit to escape demands, we teach them to ask for a break. The replacement must serve the same function to be effective.
S
Sensory Processing
How the nervous system receives, organizes, and responds to sensory information.
Many autistic individuals experience differences in sensory processing—they may be over-sensitive or under-sensitive to sights, sounds, textures, or movements. Understanding sensory needs helps create comfortable learning environments and teach self-regulation strategies.
Social Skills
Skills for interacting appropriately and effectively with other people.
Social skills include eye contact, taking turns, starting conversations, reading social cues, understanding emotions, making friends, and cooperating. ABA teaches social skills through explicit instruction, modeling, role-play, and practice in natural settings with peers.
Stimming (Self-Stimulatory Behavior)
Repetitive behaviors that provide sensory input or emotional regulation.
Stimming includes behaviors like hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, or repeating words. Many autistic people stim to regulate emotions, express excitement, or manage sensory input. Neurodiversity-affirming ABA recognizes that stimming serves important purposes and focuses on safety rather than elimination.
T
Target Behavior
A specific behavior selected for increase or decrease through intervention.
Target behaviors are the specific skills or behaviors addressed in a treatment plan. They're defined in observable, measurable terms. Examples: 'responds to name within 3 seconds' or 'uses 2-word phrases to request.' Clear definitions allow accurate tracking of progress.
Task Analysis
Breaking a complex skill into smaller, teachable steps.
Task analysis involves identifying all the individual steps needed to complete a task. For example, 'washing hands' might include 15+ steps from turning on water to drying hands. Each step is taught systematically until the whole sequence is mastered.
Treatment Plan
A comprehensive document outlining your child's ABA therapy goals and strategies.
The treatment plan is created by your BCBA based on assessment results. It includes target behaviors, teaching strategies, data collection methods, and family involvement. Plans are reviewed regularly (typically every 6 months) and updated based on progress.
V
Verbal Behavior
An approach to language that focuses on the function of communication.
Based on B.F. Skinner's analysis of language, verbal behavior focuses on teaching communication based on its function—mands (requests), tacts (labels), intraverbals (conversational responses), etc. This functional approach helps children communicate more effectively in real situations.
Have More Questions?
Our team is happy to explain any aspect of ABA therapy. Schedule a free consultation and we'll answer all your questions about how we can help your child.