Applied Behavior Analysis

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Applied behavior analysis ( ABA ) or applied behavioral analysis is a form of psychotherapy for the treatment inter alia of autistic disorders , which on a behavioristically embossed behave analytical based approach. It is preferably used as early as possible in children with autism / Asperger's syndrome , but can also be used in adults with corresponding disorders. ABA is aimed at the process of behavior change in the sense of developing adaptive, prosocial behavior as well as reducing non-adapted and inappropriate behavior.

In contrast, the literal translation of “applied behavior analysis ” usually denotes a much broader term for a scientific examination of changes in behavior in humans and animals.

Lovaas / ABA

The foundations and principles of the ABA method were laid by BF Skinner and other behavioral scientists. However, Ivar Lovaas was one of the first to apply these principles to autistic children and began the process of scientifically proving its effectiveness. While working at the University of California's Neuropsychiatric Institute at Los Angeles (UCLA) in the early 1960s, he discovered that his patients (autistic children) could benefit from intensive behavioral therapy. This form of behavioral analysis of early childhood autism is therefore also known as the "UCLA model".

An important finding from Lovaas is that "normal" children are constantly exposed to a natural learning situation. He tried to tailor his treatment to create an environment conducive to learning. Fundamental is his book Teaching Developmentally Disabled Children: The Me Book from 1981 and the publication of his results on the effectiveness of the method he developed in 1987.

Verbal Behavior

In the 1980s, u. a. Jack Michael, Mark Sundberg and James Partington a concept for teaching basic language skills based on BF Skinner's theory of linguistic behavior ( verbal behavior , VB).

They succeeded in significantly increasing the effectiveness of the methods of applied behavior analysis (ABA), which today are often called ABA with Verbal Behavior (ABA / VB). What was originally known as "Lovaas Therapy" has now been replaced by modern ABA, including forms of ABA / VB.

The term “Lovaas” is often confused with “classic” ABA therapy, and “ABA” or “VB” is used to refer to ABA / VB therapy. Instead, one should recognize that ABA is the umbrella term and that the so-called Lovaas Method is better known as Discrete Trial Training (DTT), as one of the many methods based on ABA, such as VB.

ABLLS

Mark Sundberg and James Partington published the book Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (The ABLLS) in 1998 . The so-called ABLLS method ( pronounced like ables , from to be able to - able to be, thus ABLLS = abilities) is used to measure the different learning and language abilities of the patient. For each ability, a classification is carried out by means of tests, observation or questioning of reference persons. The respective therapy plan is based on the logging and evaluation of the ABLLS procedure, which is controlled, adjusted and further developed within the framework of supervision .

Procedures

ABA's procedures are essentially based on operant conditioning methods . Learning attempts and successes as well as desired behavior are reinforced as directly as possible, with primary reinforcers (e.g. food) and secondary reinforcers (e.g. toys or praise) being used to reward desired behavior. Above all, motivation to learn should be achieved. A major problem with autism is the often low tendency to imitate behavior . The generalized tendency to imitate the behavior of others developed with the help of ABA represents an important basis for further learning.

In practice, the ABA methods are often enriched by elements of other common procedures such as TEACCH and PECS, whereby PECS is only seen as a communicative entry point that can be replaced by spoken language or sign language.

ABA in Germany

ABA / VB was little practiced in Germany for a long time, but has recently received more attention. One reason for persistent skepticism in Germany is likely to be the proximity of the learning methods used to behaviorism .

Since the turn of modern psychology to cognitivism and constructivism, as well as the criticism of verbal behavior by Chomsky , behaviorist theories have been viewed as discredited because the behaviorist approach was viewed as not transferable to complex human behavior. However, this opinion is no longer shared by all psychologists these days. The fact that the term "verbal behavior", which is often negative among psychologists and psychotherapists, is mentioned in the same breath as ABA in modern ABA therapy, sometimes even as a synonym for the modern variants of ABA, should have favored the initial reservations. Nowadays, some therapists change that mind and recognize ABA as the theoretical basis for autism therapy.

ABA attracted attention, since Aktion Mensch has been funding a three-year pilot project at the Institute for Autism Research since 2014 . This funding was not renewed after pressure from the autistic community.

Studies on the effectiveness of the method

ABA or ABA / VB is currently the most effective and best researched method for treating early childhood autism. Between 1985 and 2006 over 500 empirical articles on ABA appeared in scientific journals. More recent studies in particular show that with ABA / VB half of all children treated can achieve a normal functional level in terms of intelligence, social behavior and emotionality. However, some ABA studies have been criticized for the fact that there are no control groups or that participants were not randomly divided into the ABA group and the control group. Such methodologically weak studies can only prove the effect of ABA to a limited extent, but must also be seen against the background of (hardly any) research on the effectiveness of alternative approaches.

criticism

ABA has also been criticized recently.

“The effect of psychological manipulation can be measured empirically. If studies now find that autistics can be successfully conditioned to behave inconspicuously and to suppress their actual personality, that is no surprise - but a questionable success. "

The autism association Aspies eV also expresses itself critical of ABA in a position paper.

literature

  • Karola Dillenburger, Mickey Keenan: None of the As in ABA stand for autism: dispelling the myths . In: Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability . tape 34 , no. 2 , June 1, 2009, ISSN  1469-9532 , p. 193-195 , doi : 10.1080 / 13668250902845244 , PMID 19404840 .
  • Ronald Burton Leaf, John McEachin: A work in progress: behavior management strategies and a curriculum for intensive behavioral treatment of autism . DRL Books, New York 1999, ISBN 0-9665266-0-0 .
  • Melanie Matzies: Applied behavior analysis: (Early) support in autism with special consideration of behavior therapy according to O. Ivar Lovaas . 1st edition. Weidler, Berlin 2004, ISBN 3-89693-406-6 .
  • Catherine Maurice, Gina Green, Stephen C. Luce: Behavioral intervention for young children with autism: a manual for parents and professionals . Pro-Ed., Austin, Tex. 1996, ISBN 0-89079-683-1 .
  • Claire Molnár: Applied behavior analysis and the question of self-determination . 1st edition. Weidler Buchverlag, Berlin 2005, ISBN 3-89693-439-2 .
  • Robert Schramm: Motivation and Reinforcement. Scientific intervention in autism. A handbook for parents, teachers, educators and other professionals . Pro-ABA, Hespe 2007, ISBN 978-3-9810581-1-6 .
  • Janina Menze: Autism and the ABA learning method: Applied behavior analysis . Spectrum occupational therapy, 2012, ISBN 978-3-8248-0992-9 .
  • Mary Lynch et al .: the Verbal Behavior Approach. How to Teach Children with Autism and Related Disorders. Jesicca Kingsley Publishers. London and Philadelphia, 2007, ISBN 978-1-84310-852-8 .
  • John O. Cooper et al .: Applied Behavior Analysis . Pearson Education Limited, London, 2013, ISBN 978-1-292-02321-2 .

Individual evidence

  1. ^ OI Lovaas: Teaching Developmentally Disabled Children: The Me Book. Pro-Ed., 1981, ISBN 0-936104-78-3 .
  2. ^ OI Lovaas: Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. In: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 55, 1987, pp. 3-9.
  3. ↑ JW Partington, ML Sundberg: The assessment of basic language and learning skills (The ABLLS). Behavioral Analysts, Inc., Pleasant Hill, CA. 1998.
  4. ^ L. Frost, A. Bondy: The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Training Manual, 2nd Edition. Pyramid Educational Products, Inc., Newark, DE. 2002.
  5. ↑ Aktion Mensch: Aktion Mensch promotes Bremen's early autism therapy program. , undated on Aktion Mensch , accessed on December 11, 2012
  6. ↑ Aktion Mensch: Aktion Mensch will no longer fund ABA projects in the future , accessed on July 22, 2018
  7. ^ JJ McEachin, T. Smith, OI Lovaas: Long-term outcome for children with autism who received early intensive behavioral treatment. In: American Journal on Mental Retardation. 97, 1993, pp. 359-372.
  8. ↑ Stefan Weinmann, Christoph Schwarzbach, Matthias Begemann, Stephanie Roll, Christoph Vauth, Stefan N. Willich, Wolfgang Greiner: Behavioral and skill-based early interventions in children with autism . In: German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (Hrsg.): Series of publications Health Technology Assessment . tape 89 , 2009, ISSN  1864-9645 , doi : 10.3205 / hta000072L ( portal.dimdi.de [PDF; 748 kB ; accessed on April 20, 2015]).
  9. ↑ Ovary I. Lovaas; S. Wright: A reply to recent published critiques . In: Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention. Volume 3, No. 2, 2006, pp. 234–236 ( PDF of the journal, 337 KB ).
  10. ↑ Cohen, H .; Amerine-Dickens, M. & Smith, T. (2006). Early intensive behavioral treatment: Replication of the UCLA Model in a community setting. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 27 (2), pp. 145-155.
  11. ↑ Howard, JS; Sparkman, CR; Cohen, HG; Green G. & Stanislaw, H. (2005). A comparison of intensive behavior analytic and eclectic treatments for young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 26 , 359-383.
  12. ↑ Sallows, GO & Graupner, TD (2005). Intensive behavioral treatment for children with autism: Four-year outcome and predictors. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 110 (6), 417-438.
  13. ↑ Gernsbacher (2003). Is One Style of Early Behavioral Treatment for Autism 'Scientifically Proven?' ( Memento of July 15, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) In: Journal of Developmental and Learning Disorders. 7, pp. 19-25.
  14. ^ Autism and ABA in the UK: A controlled trial
  15. ^ Ted Schoneberger: EIBT research after Lovaas (1987): A tale of two studies . In: The Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis. Volume 1, No. 3, 2006, pp. 207-217 ( behavior-analyst-today.com PDF; 957 KB).
  16. ↑ Aleksander Knauerhase: Autism with a difference: Simple, authentic, autistic. Norderstedt 2016, page 82 ff.
  17. ↑ Marlies Hübner: Without Ifs and ABA - Controversial Autism Therapy. In Die Tageszeitung , December 2, 2016, accessed on December 5, 2016.
  18. ^ Aspies eV: Aspies eV - ABA position paper. Article without date on Aspies eV People in the Autism Spectrum , accessed on December 5, 2016.

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