Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a systematic and evidence-based approach to understanding and modifying human behavior. It is widely recognized as a highly effective method for assessing, analyzing, and improving various behaviors, particularly in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. ABA principles and techniques have also found application in various other domains, including education, business, and healthcare.
At its core, ABA focuses on the relationship between behavior and the environment. It seeks to identify the antecedents (events or stimuli preceding a behavior) and consequences (events following a behavior) that influence and maintain specific behaviors. ABA professionals, known as behavior analysts, use this information to design and implement interventions that promote desirable behaviors and reduce or eliminate problematic ones.