Applied behavior analysis is most known for its application to children with autism spectrum disorder. However, this is not the only field that ABA can be applied. Additionally, ABA is not even specifically an autism treatment. More accurately, “Applied Behavior Analysis is the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors to a meaningful degree, and to demonstrate that the interventions employed are responsible for the improvement in behavior(1).” (Ref: Applied Behavioral Strategies)
See this video for some examples of ABA:
Following is a list of just some of the various fields of ABA. Please leave any other fields or areas in which ABA is used in the comments and I will be glad to add them to this list. It is helpful to understand that, although ABA is extremely helpful for children with autism, ABA can be used in so much more than just with that population.
- Animal Training
- Organizational Behavior Management
- Classrooms/Schools
- Parenting
- Marketing
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- ADHD
- Behavioral Medicine and Health
- Mental Health Disorders (Such as oppositional defiant disorder, depression, etc.)
- Environment/Sustainable Societies
- Gerontology
- Forensics
- Gambling
- Sports
- Physical Health