Resource

Introduction to ABA Terms for Parents

If you’re new to ABA therapy, some terms probably sound confusing and abstract. You may feel lost about what you need to learn in order to help your child. It can even seem like it’s the therapist’s job to take over because ABA appears too complicated. The good news is that once ABA jargon is explained in plain language, the concepts make more sense and offer a window into what your child’s therapy team is working on during sessions. This guide breaks down common ABA terms you’ll likely encounter during your child’s ABA journey.

What Is ABA Therapy?

ABA Therapy – “ABA” stands for “applied behavior analysis.” ABA therapy is based on scientific ideas about how people behave. The goal of ABA therapy is to help individuals make meaningful changes for themselves, their families, and their communities. For more details, see What is ABA Therapy? How Does ABA Therapy Work?

Key ABA Professionals

BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) – A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) supervises your child’s ABA therapy, creates your child’s treatment plans, sets goals, and oversees RBTs. Typically, you’ll see them weekly or biweekly, based on service intensity. They’ll also meet with you individually for parent training so you can work on ways to help your child outside of sessions.

RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) – Your child’s Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is a paraprofessional who runs ABA sessions and is supervised by your BCBA. You’ll see them weekly or sometimes daily. Other similar terms are “behavior techs” or “behavior therapists,” but RBTs have the most formal training.

Understanding Behavior in ABA Therapy

Behavior – A behavior is any action your child does that can be observed. Manding and tacting are two types of behaviors often worked on during ABA sessions. The goal is to increase these behaviors, since they’re forms of communication. Behaviors to decrease might include dangerous or inappropriate behaviors such as elopement (running away) or harming others.

Reinforcement in ABA Therapy

Reinforcer – A reinforcer is an object or action that serves as a reward to encourage a specific behavior. For example, if your child asks for their iPad and you give it to them, then the iPad is a reinforcer for your child’s behavior of asking. It’s likely your child will keep asking for it in the future if they’re motivated. Something that’s reinforcing for one child—praise, for example—might be annoying to another child and actually work against the parent’s intentions, so it’s important to pay attention to your child’s motivation and reactions.

Communication Skills in ABA: Manding and Tacting

Manding – Manding is any request a child makes for something they’re motivated to ask for. Manding also doesn’t have to be limited to verbal language – there are many types of mands. When a child who doesn’t speak points at their sippy cup sitting on the counter, this is manding because they want their parent to give it to them. If the child’s therapist instructs them to sit at the table and the child signs “no,” this is also a mand, because the child is saying they want to avoid or delay coming to the table.

Tacting – Another term for “labeling” or naming objects in the environment. For example, a child sees an apple and says “apple.” If the child points at the apple and says “apple” because they want to eat it for a snack, that is a mand, not a tact.

Teaching Methods in ABA Therapy

DTT (Discrete Trial Teaching) – Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT) is a structured teaching approach in which skills are broken into small steps and practiced repeatedly, usually at a desk or table. The therapist will present tasks and ask the child to listen and respond. Skills worked on may include things like matching objects, identifying colors, and imitating physical actions or vocalizations.

NET (Natural Environment Teaching) – Natural Environment Teaching (NET) looks a lot like play therapy. Instead of DTT-style teaching, NET often takes place on the floor with toys and follows the child’s interests to work on skills such as using words, pretend play, and social play with peers.

Conclusion: Learning ABA Terms as a Parent

Your BCBA is a great resource for learning more about ABA terms and how you can apply the concepts outside of sessions. It’s important to remember that even though your child’s BCBA is the ABA expert, you’re the expert when it comes to your child. Your opinions and knowledge matter. When you learn from each other, you and your BCBA create an unstoppable team that brings out the best in your child.