“By far, the best way to study for your BCBA exam is to come up with examples and non examples of each term. That’s because the exam does not focus on memorizing applied behavior analysis terms and picking out their definitions. It focused on applying the principles of behavior to real life situations. If you can write your own examples…
Everyday, I help break down a confusing ABA term and put it in plain English! Whether you are studying for your BCBA exam, explaining ABA to parents or are a student, there is no reason to be so confused over ABA terms. While “behavioral language” is very confusing, these concepts don’t have to be. Today we will discuss According to…
Everyday, I break down a confusing ABA term and put it in plain English! If you are studying for your BCBA exam, explaining ABA to parents, or are a student, there is no reason to be so confused over ABA terms. “Behavioral language” can be very confusing, however these concepts don’t have to be. Today we will discuss the matching…
Everyday, I help break down a confusing ABA term and put it in plain English! Whether you are studying for your BCBA exam, explaining ABA to parents or are a student, there is no reason to be so confused over ABA terms. While “behavioral language” is very confusing, these concepts don’t have to be. According to Cooper, Heron and Heward,…
Guest Blog Post by Dr. Katherine May, Ed.D., BCBA Sequence Effects vs. Multiple Treatment Interference Overview:Sequence effects occur when the effects of an intervention from one condition carry over into the next condition. Sequence effects are typically the result of a multiple treatment reversal design or a B-A-B reversal design. Sequence effects can skew the data in the following condition…
Guest Blog Post by Dr. Katherine May, Ed.D., BCBA When a behavior intervention consists of multiple components (treatment/behavioral package) and the practitioner manipulates each component to see which one is most effective for the client. A component analysis is an experimental design to identify the active elements of a treatment package, the relative contributions of different components in a treatment…
Guest Blog Post Dr. Katherine May, Ed.D., BCBA Direct Instruction: “The Faster We Teach, The More They Learn.” Direct Instruction Explained: Direct instruction was founded by Siegfried Engelman and is a published ABA instructional methodology that believes all children can learn. This teaching methodology is commonly one of the best practices to serve a variety of learners in special and…
Guest blog post by Dr. Katherine May, Ed.D., BCBA Behavior traps are powerful contingencies of reinforcement with four defining features: Clients are “baited” with virtually irresistible reinforcers Only a low effort response already in the clients repertoire is needed to enter the trap Interrelated contingencies of reinforcement inside the trap motivate the student to acquire, extend, and maintain targeted skills…
Earlier this month, I took the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) exam and became a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). I had already been practicing applied behavior analysis (ABA) for more than a decade and doing case management. Due to a series of life events and fear, I just never sat for the exam. After spending months in my house…
A common mistake that people make is confusing Discriminating Stimulus (SD) with the Stimulus Delta (SΔ). However, it is a very easy distinction. Here is how to tell the difference. Discriminating Stimulus (SD) A SD signals that a reinforcer is available for a response. So example, Example 1.) Jenny, an ABA therapist, is working with Ben, a four year old…