ABA Instructional Script for Facilitator

Welcome and Session Overview (10 minutes)

[Display Slide 1: ABA Unveiled: Fundamentals of Applied Behavior Analysis]
Teacher: “Good morning, everyone, and welcome to ABA Unveiled. My name is [Your Name], and I’m delighted you’re here for this 90-minute introduction to the fundamentals of Applied Behavior Analysis. Over the next hour and a half, we’ll define ABA, explore its history, learn its core principles, and discover how it’s applied beyond autism.”

[Display Slide 2: Session Objectives]
Teacher: “Our objectives today are:

1. Define Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
2. Outline key historical milestones in ABA’s development.
3. Describe core behavior principles: reinforcement, punishment, extinction, and stimulus control.
4. Identify at least three application domains beyond autism.

Before we dive in, who has a personal goal for today’s session? Please unmute or type your goal in the chat.”

Pause and listen to 2–3 responses.

Teacher: “Thank you for sharing. I encourage you to keep those goals in mind as we move forward.”

[Display Slide 3: Agenda]
Teacher: “Here’s our agenda:

• Welcome & Objectives (10 min)
• History & Evolution of ABA (15 min)
• Core Principles of ABA (20 min)
• Applications Beyond Autism (15 min)
• Group Case Study Activity (15 min)
• Quiz & Review (15 min)

We’ll engage in discussion, a small-group exercise, and end with a short quiz and Q&A. Feel free to ask questions at any time!”

History and Evolution of ABA (15 minutes)

[Display Slide 4: What Is ABA?]
Teacher: “Let’s begin with a working definition of ABA: ‘The application of the principles of behavior to socially significant issues to produce meaningful and measurable change.’ (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007). Notice how it emphasizes environmental variables and data-driven methods.”

[Display Slide 5: History & Evolution of ABA]
Teacher: “ABA’s roots stretch back to early behaviorism. In the 1920s, John B. Watson argued that observable behavior should be psychology’s focus. In the 1930s, B.F. Skinner built on that foundation. By 1968, Baer, Wolf, and Risley formally defined the seven dimensions of ABA.”

[Display Slide 6: Key Historical Milestones]
Teacher: “Key dates to remember:

• 1924: Watson’s behaviorist manifesto.
• 1938: Skinner’s The Behavior of Organisms.
• 1968: JABA special issue defining ABA.
• 1985: BACB founded.
• 2007: Cooper, Heron, & Heward textbook release.

Quick question: Have any of you read original Skinner or Baer, Wolf, & Risley articles? What stood out?”

Allow 2–3 participants to respond briefly.

Teacher: “Great insights. Understanding this evolution helps us appreciate how ABA became a rigorous, evidence-based field.”

Core Principles of ABA (20 minutes)

[Display Slide 7: Core Principles of ABA]
Teacher: “Now let’s dive into the four core principles: reinforcement, punishment, extinction, and stimulus control. These are the building blocks of behavior change.”

[Display Slide 8: Reinforcement & Punishment]
Teacher: “Reinforcement increases behavior frequency.

• Positive reinforcement: adding a stimulus (e.g., praise).
• Negative reinforcement: removing a stimulus (e.g., turning off a loud alarm).

Punishment decreases behavior frequency.

• Positive punishment: adding an aversive (e.g., a reprimand).
• Negative punishment: removing a pleasant (e.g., taking away a phone).”

Teacher: “Can someone share a workplace example of positive or negative reinforcement?”

Pause for 2 responses.

[Display Slide 9: Extinction & Stimulus Control]
Teacher: “Extinction means withholding reinforcement to decrease behavior—like ignoring a colleague’s off-topic jokes to reduce them.

Stimulus Control is when behavior occurs more in the presence of a specific cue—like answering your phone when it rings.

Turn to your neighbor and name one example of extinction or stimulus control in your daily life.”

Allow 1 minute for think-pair-share, then ask for 2 volunteers.

Applications Beyond Autism (15 minutes)

[Display Slide 10: Applications Beyond Autism]
Teacher: “Although ABA is well-known for autism intervention, its reach is far broader. Here are four domains:

• Organizational Behavior Management (OBM)
• Education and Classroom Management
• Health and Wellness (e.g., smoking cessation)
• Sports Performance Enhancement”

[Display Slide 11: Case Examples Across Domains]
Teacher: “For instance:

• OBM: Improving safety compliance in factories.
• Education: Increasing student on-task behavior.
• Health: Promoting exercise adherence.
• Sports: Shaping athletic routines.

Take 30 seconds to think of another setting where ABA could apply. What’s the target behavior, and what principle would you use?”

After silent reflection:
Teacher: “Who would like to share their example?”

Allow 2–3 participants to share.

Group Activity: Case Study Analysis (15 minutes)

[Display Slide 12: Group Activity: Case Study Analysis]
Teacher: “Now we’ll apply what we’ve learned. Please form groups of three to four. Each group has a packet with a hypothetical case scenario.”

Teacher: “In your groups, identify:

1. The target behavior(s).
2. Relevant antecedents and consequences.
3. An intervention plan using ABA principles.

You have 10 minutes. I’ll circulate to answer questions. Then each group will share their rationale in two minutes.”

After 10 minutes:
Teacher: “Let’s have each group briefly share their case and intervention.”

Invite groups 1–3 to report (2 minutes each).

Quiz and Review (15 minutes)

[Display Slide 13: Quiz Instructions]
Teacher: “It’s time for our quiz. Please take a copy of the ABA Principles Quiz. You have 10 minutes. Answer questions on definition, history, principles, and applications.”

Distribute quiz and time participants.

After 10 minutes:
Teacher: “Please put your pencils down. Let’s review answers using the ABA Quiz Answer Key.”

Go through each question, asking participants to volunteer the correct answer and clarifying any misconceptions.

Closing and Q&A (Remaining time)

[Display Slide 14: Thank You & Q&A]
Teacher: “Thank you for your active participation today! Before we wrap up, are there any final questions?”

Address questions.

Teacher: “For further reading, see the BACB Task List and Cooper, Heron, & Heward (2007). Have a great rest of your day, and I look forward to seeing how you apply these principles!”

ABA Quiz Answer Key

Question 1

Prompt: Which of the following best defines Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?

Correct Answer:
The application of behavior principles to socially significant issues to produce meaningful and measurable change.

Explanation:

• ABA is defined (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2007) as the application of behavior principles to socially significant behaviors.
• Answers about internal mental processes or autism-only focus are too narrow or incorrect.

Question 2

Prompt: In what year was the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) founded?

Correct Answer:
1985

Explanation:

• The BACB was established in 1985 to credential behavior analysts and set professional standards.
• 1968 marks the JABA special issue; 2007 is the Cooper et al. textbook; 1938 is Skinner’s publication.

Question 3

Prompt: Which of the following is an example of positive punishment?

Options:
A) Removing a toy when a child misbehaves.
B) Giving a reprimand for tardiness.
C) Turning off a loud noise when a behavior occurs.
D) Offering praise for correct responses.

Correct Answer:
Giving a reprimand for tardiness.

Explanation:

• Positive punishment involves adding an aversive stimulus to decrease behavior.
• A reprimand (verbal criticism) is an added aversive after tardiness, decreasing future tardiness.
• Removing a toy is negative punishment; turning off noise is negative reinforcement; praise is positive reinforcement.

Question 4

Prompt: Which statement best describes extinction?

Correct Answer:
Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior.

Explanation:

• Extinction occurs when a behavior that was once reinforced no longer produces reinforcement, leading to a decrease in that behavior.
• Adding or removing stimuli to punish or prompt behavior are different procedures.

Question 5

Prompt: Which of these domains is NOT a typical application of ABA beyond autism?

Options:
A) Organizational Behavior Management
B) Sports Performance Enhancement
C) Psychoanalysis
D) Health and Wellness

Correct Answer:
Psychoanalysis

Explanation:

• ABA is widely used in OBM, sports performance, and health interventions.
• Psychoanalysis is a different theoretical approach focused on unconscious processes, not an ABA domain.

Question 6 (Open-Response)

Prompt: In your own words, define stimulus control.

Model Answer:
Stimulus control occurs when the presence or absence of a specific stimulus reliably increases or decreases the likelihood of a particular behavior. Under stimulus control, a behavior is more likely to occur in the presence of a discriminative stimulus that signals reinforcement is available, and less likely when that stimulus is absent.

Key Points to Include:

1. Discriminative Stimulus (SD): a cue that signals reinforcement is available.
2. Behavioral Control: the behavior occurs more frequently in the SD’s presence and less frequently in its absence.

Question 7 (Open-Response)

Prompt: Provide one example of how ABA could be applied in an educational setting. Identify the target behavior and one ABA principle you would use.

Model Answer:
Example: Increase student hand-raising during class discussions.

• Target Behavior: Student raises hand before speaking instead of calling out.
• ABA Principle Used: Positive reinforcement—each time the student raises their hand, the teacher provides immediate praise (e.g., “Great job waiting your turn!”) or a token toward a reward.

Rationale:

• Praising the student after hand-raising adds a positive stimulus that increases the likelihood they will use the hand-raising behavior in future discussions.

Use this key to guide grading and provide feedback on students’ understanding of quiz concepts.