Developing behavior intervention plans
Expert-defined terms from the Specialist Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Antecedent – stimulus that occurs before a behavior and influences its oc… #
Related terms: discriminative stimulus, prompt, context. Example: placing a visual cue before a task increases compliance. Practical application involves identifying antecedents to modify them for desired outcomes. Challenge: antecedents may be subtle or environmental, requiring careful observation.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) – scientific discipline that applies prin… #
Related terms: behavior, reinforcement, functional assessment. Example: using ABA to teach communication skills to a child with autism. Practical application includes data‑driven decision making. Challenge: ensuring ethical practice and cultural relevance.
Assessment – systematic process of gathering information to understand be… #
Related terms: functional behavior assessment (FBA), skills assessment, data collection. Example: conducting a Vineland Adaptive Behavior interview. Practical application guides intervention planning. Challenge: time constraints and limited informant reliability.
Behavior – any observable and measurable action of an organism #
Related terms: response, target behavior, topography. Example: a student raising hand to ask a question. Practical application requires precise definition. Challenge: distinguishing between similar behaviors.
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) – written plan that outlines strategies… #
Related terms: BIP, functional analysis, crisis plan. Example: a BIP that includes visual schedules and positive reinforcement. Practical application includes collaboration with caregivers. Challenge: fidelity of implementation across settings.
Behavioral Contract – written agreement between stakeholder and client sp… #
Related terms: token economy, contingency contract. Example: a contract stating that completing homework earns a preferred activity. Practical application enhances motivation. Challenge: maintaining consistency and ensuring realistic goals.
Behavioral Momentum – tendency for a high‑rate behavior to persist despit… #
Related terms: high‑probability request sequence, persistence. Example: delivering easy tasks before a difficult one to maintain compliance. Practical application improves task acceptance. Challenge: selecting appropriate high‑probability tasks.
Behavioral Skills Training (BST) – instructional method combining instruc… #
Related terms: role‑play, skill acquisition, performance feedback. Example: teaching a child to request assistance using BST. Practical application accelerates skill mastery. Challenge: requires skilled trainers and time for rehearsal.
Baseline – initial measurement of behavior before intervention #
Related terms: pre‑intervention data, control condition. Example: recording frequency of off‑task behavior for a week. Practical application establishes a comparison point. Challenge: baseline may be unstable due to environmental variables.
Crisis Intervention – immediate response procedures to ensure safety duri… #
Related terms: emergency plan, de‑escalation, restraint. Example: a step‑by‑step protocol for managing aggression. Practical application protects staff and client. Challenge: balancing safety with least‑restrictive practices.
Data Collection – systematic recording of behavior occurrences #
Related terms: frequency, duration, interval recording. Example: using a tally sheet to log instances of tantrums. Practical application informs decision making. Challenge: observer bias and inter‑rater reliability.
Discriminative Stimulus (SD) – antecedent signaling that a specific respo… #
Related terms: cue, antecedent, reinforcement schedule. Example: a green light indicating it is safe to cross. Practical application shapes behavior through clear signals. Challenge: ensuring stimulus control across contexts.
Discrete Trial Training (DTT) – structured teaching method using repeated… #
Related terms: trial, prompt hierarchy, reinforcement. Example: teaching letter identification through DTT. Practical application yields rapid skill acquisition. Challenge: may limit naturalistic learning opportunities.
Duration Recording – measurement of the total time a behavior occurs #
Related terms: latency, interval recording. Example: timing how long a student remains on task. Practical application helps assess endurance. Challenge: requires precise timing devices.
Ecological Validity – degree to which interventions generalize to real‑wo… #
Related terms: generalization, maintenance, natural environment. Example: transferring a communication skill from clinic to home. Practical application ensures lasting impact. Challenge: designing interventions that are context‑flexible.
Ethical Guidelines – professional standards governing ABA practice #
Related terms: BACB Code, informed consent, confidentiality. Example: obtaining parental permission before data collection. Practical application protects client rights. Challenge: navigating conflicting stakeholder interests.
Extinction – procedure that reduces behavior by withholding reinforcement #
Related terms: extinction burst, reinforcement schedule. Example: ignoring a child's attention‑seeking calls. Practical application can diminish problematic behavior. Challenge: temporary increase in behavior intensity.
Functional Analysis – experimental manipulation to identify behavior func… #
Related terms: antecedent‑behavior‑consequence (ABC), FBA, test conditions. Example: testing if escape from demands maintains a behavior. Practical application provides precise function data. Challenge: may be invasive or risky without safeguards.
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) – comprehensive process to determine… #
Related terms: indirect assessment, direct observation, hypothesis statement. Example: interviewing teachers to gather insights on a student's aggression. Practical application informs targeted interventions. Challenge: requires multidisciplinary collaboration.
Generalization – transfer of learned behavior to new stimuli, settings, o… #
Related terms: maintenance, stimulus control, response generalization. Example: a child using a communication device with different adults. Practical application ensures skill relevance. Challenge: preventing relapse when contexts change.
Goal‑Setting – establishing measurable objectives for behavior change #
Related terms: SMART goals, target behavior, outcome measure. Example: reducing off‑task behavior from 30 to 5 instances per hour. Practical application guides progress monitoring. Challenge: setting realistic yet challenging goals.
Guided Participation – collaborative learning where the adult scaffolds t… #
Related terms: modeling, prompting, fading. Example: an instructor co‑working on a puzzle while gradually releasing control. Practical application supports skill acquisition. Challenge: timing of scaffold removal.
Inter‑Observer Agreement (IOA) – degree of consistency between two observ… #
Related terms: reliability, agreement index, kappa statistic. Example: two staff members independently tallying tantrums and achieving 90% agreement. Practical application validates data quality. Challenge: training observers to achieve high IOA.
Interval Recording – method of noting whether a behavior occurs within se… #
Related terms: whole‑interval, partial‑interval, momentary‑time‑sampling. Example: checking every 10 seconds if a student is on‑task. Practical application simplifies data collection for high‑frequency behaviors. Challenge: may over‑ or under‑estimate true rates.
Item Analysis – evaluation of individual components of a skill or test #
Related terms: task analysis, component mastery. Example: assessing each step of hand‑washing separately. Practical application identifies specific deficits. Challenge: requires breaking down complex skills accurately.
Latency – time elapsed between stimulus presentation and behavior onset #
Related terms: reaction time, response latency. Example: measuring seconds from a cue to a verbal response. Practical application assesses prompt effectiveness. Challenge: requires precise timing equipment.
Least‑Restrictive Procedure (LRP) – intervention that imposes minimal con… #
Related terms: positive behavior support, restraint alternatives. Example: using a visual schedule before resorting to time‑out. Practical application aligns with ethical standards. Challenge: may require extensive resources to implement.
Maintenance – continued performance of a behavior after intervention ends #
Related terms: generalization, follow‑up, booster sessions. Example: a student continues to use a communication system months after therapy. Practical application confirms lasting change. Challenge: monitoring without continuous support.
Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) – tool for evaluating factors influenci… #
Related terms: function, antecedent, preference assessment. Example: rating how much a student values access to a preferred item. Practical application informs reinforcement selection. Challenge: subjective ratings may vary.
Negative Reinforcement – removal of an aversive stimulus following a beha… #
Related terms: escape, avoidance, reinforcement schedule. Example: allowing a student to leave a noisy room after requesting a break. Practical application reduces avoidance behaviors. Challenge: distinguishing from punishment.
Observable – behavior that can be seen or measured directly #
Related terms: measurable, objective, data‑driven. Example: counting number of hand‑raises. Practical application ensures reliability of data. Challenge: internal states are not observable.
Operant Conditioning – learning process where behavior is shaped by conse… #
Related terms: reinforcement, punishment, schedule. Example: delivering praise after a correct response. Practical application forms the basis of ABA techniques. Challenge: selecting appropriate consequences.
Outcome Measure – variable used to assess effectiveness of an interventio… #
Related terms: dependent variable, target behavior, progress indicator. Example: reduction in frequency of self‑injurious behavior. Practical application guides decision making. Challenge: selecting measures that are both meaningful and measurable.
Parent Training – educating caregivers on ABA principles and intervention… #
Related terms: family involvement, caregiver fidelity, home‑based program. Example: teaching parents to use a token system at home. Practical application extends gains beyond clinic. Challenge: varying parental availability and skill levels.
Partial Reinforcement – schedule delivering reinforcement only some of th… #
Related terms: intermittent schedule, variable ratio, extinction resistance. Example: providing praise after every third correct response. Practical application promotes persistence. Challenge: may slow acquisition rate.
Positive Behavior Support (PBS) – proactive approach emphasizing teaching… #
Related terms: tiered supports, functional support, BIP. Example: redesigning a classroom to reduce distractions. Practical application creates supportive contexts. Challenge: requires systemic changes and staff buy‑in.
Prompt – assistance given to increase the likelihood of a correct respons… #
Related terms: prompt hierarchy, fading, antecedent. Example: using a hand‑over prompt to teach a child to grasp a cup. Practical application accelerates learning. Challenge: avoiding prompt dependence.
Prompt Fading – systematic reduction of prompts to promote independence #
Related terms: prompt hierarchy, transfer of stimulus control, shaping. Example: moving from full physical prompt to partial verbal cue. Practical application ensures skill mastery. Challenge: timing fades appropriately.
Reinforcement – process that strengthens a behavior, making it more likel… #
Related terms: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, schedule. Example: giving a token after completing a task. Practical application central to behavior change. Challenge: identifying effective reinforcers.
Reinforcement Schedule – pattern that determines how often reinforcement… #
Related terms: fixed ratio, variable interval, intermittent reinforcement. Example: reinforcing after every third correct response (fixed ratio 3). Practical application influences acquisition speed and resistance to extinction. Challenge: selecting optimal schedule for each learner.
Response Generalization – occurrence of a learned behavior across differe… #
Related terms: stimulus generalization, maintenance, functional equivalence. Example: a student using a communication device with peers and teachers. Practical application ensures real‑world relevance. Challenge: preventing context‑specific performance.
Risk Assessment – evaluation of potential hazards associated with behavio… #
Related terms: safety plan, crisis protocol, functional analysis. Example: assessing likelihood of self‑injury before implementing a new skill. Practical application informs precautionary measures. Challenge: balancing risk mitigation with therapeutic goals.
Rule‑Based Training – instruction that provides verbal or written guideli… #
Related terms: social story, instruction, compliance. Example: teaching a child the rule “raise hand before speaking.” Practical application clarifies expectations. Challenge: ensuring comprehension and adherence.
Self‑Monitoring – technique where the learner records own behavior #
Related terms: self‑evaluation, data logging, independent data collection. Example: a teenager tracking time spent on homework. Practical application promotes autonomy. Challenge: requires literacy and motivation.
Shaping – reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior #
Related terms: successive approximations, reinforcement, chaining. Example: rewarding a child for any vocalization, then for vowel sounds, then for words. Practical application builds complex skills from simple actions. Challenge: requires careful tracking of progress.
Social Validity – extent to which goals, procedures, and outcomes are acc… #
Related terms: client satisfaction, cultural relevance, outcome relevance. Example: parents rate a communication program as highly valuable. Practical application ensures interventions are meaningful. Challenge: subjective judgments may vary across cultures.
Stimulus Control – condition where behavior occurs primarily in the prese… #
Related terms: discriminative stimulus, cue, prompting. Example: a child only says “please” when a teacher holds up a visual cue. Practical application creates reliable behavior patterns. Challenge: maintaining control across environments.
Task Analysis – breaking down a complex skill into smaller, teachable ste… #
Related terms: chaining, component mastery, skill acquisition. Example: dividing the process of washing hands into wetting, soap, scrubbing, rinsing, drying. Practical application simplifies instruction. Challenge: ensuring steps are sequenced logically.
Token Economy – system where tokens are earned for target behaviors and e… #
Related terms: reinforcement, contingency contract, behavior contract. Example: a child earns tokens for completing assignments and trades them for extra playtime. Practical application provides immediate feedback. Challenge: managing token distribution fairly.
Treatment Integrity – degree to which an intervention is implemented as d… #
Related terms: fidelity, procedural adherence, supervision. Example: therapist follows the exact steps of a BIP with 95% accuracy. Practical application ensures efficacy. Challenge: monitoring across multiple staff members.
Three‑Term Contingency – relationship among antecedent, behavior, and con… #
Related terms: ABC model, stimulus‑response‑reinforcement. Example: presenting a cue (antecedent), child follows instruction (behavior), receives praise (consequence). Practical application clarifies functional relations. Challenge: capturing each component accurately.
Transfer of Stimulus Control – shifting behavior regulation from one stim… #
Related terms: stimulus fading, generalization, prompt fading. Example: moving from a therapist’s hand prompt to a visual cue. Practical application supports independence. Challenge: timing the transfer to avoid relapse.
Variable Ratio Schedule – reinforcement delivered after an unpredictable… #
Related terms: intermittent reinforcement, resistance to extinction. Example: rewarding a child after 2, then 5, then 3 correct responses, unpredictably. Practical application yields high response rates. Challenge: may be difficult to program precisely.
Visual Schedule – graphic representation of daily activities or task sequ… #
Related terms: picture schedule, time‑table, predictability. Example: a chart showing “arrival → snack → therapy → play.” Practical application reduces anxiety and improves compliance. Challenge: ensuring the schedule is updated and understood.
Work Sample – collection of artifacts demonstrating a learner’s skill lev… #
Related terms: portfolio, performance evidence, competency demonstration. Example: a binder of completed worksheets showing reading progress. Practical application provides tangible progress data. Challenge: maintaining consistent documentation.
Zero‑Crisis Policy – organizational commitment to prevent crisis situatio… #
Related terms: positive behavior support, preventive interventions, safety culture. Example: implementing antecedent modifications to eliminate triggers for aggression. Practical application reduces reliance on emergency procedures. Challenge: requires comprehensive staff training and ongoing monitoring.