If you’re exploring therapy options for your child, you may have come across the term Applied Behaviour Analysis, or ABA. But what does it actually mean?
ABA is a scientific approach to understanding and improving human behaviour. It focuses on how behaviour is influenced by the environment — and how we can use that understanding to help people build useful skills and reduce behaviours that may interfere with learning, independence, or safety.
A Science of Learning and Change
ABA is grounded in decades of research on how behaviour works. Using data-driven methods, practitioners identify what is motivating a behaviour and what can be done to support positive change. While this approach is commonly associated with autism therapy, it’s actually much broader. ABA principles are used in a wide variety of areas — from education and parenting to organizational behaviour and public health.
Individualized, Goal-Oriented Support
No two people are the same — and neither are ABA programs. A well-designed ABA program is highly individualized. It starts with a thorough assessment to identify strengths, needs, and meaningful goals. From there, therapists work to teach skills that are socially significant and functionally useful — things like communication, self-care, problem-solving, or daily routines.
Therapy sessions often involve breaking complex tasks into manageable steps, providing support (or “prompting”) as needed, and reinforcing progress. Over time, supports are faded as the person becomes more independent and successful on their own.
ABA in Today’s Context
Historically, ABA has received criticism — particularly when it was implemented in ways that were rigid, compliance-focused, or misaligned with the values and needs of the individual. Today’s ABA has evolved significantly. There is growing emphasis on client dignity, consent, and psychological flexibility. Many practitioners now integrate contemporary behavioural approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) or Relational Frame Theory (RFT) to support not just behaviour change, but wellbeing.
At its best, ABA is not about forcing someone to behave a certain way — it’s about empowering people with skills to navigate their world in a way that works for them.
Who Delivers ABA?
ABA services are typically developed and overseen by a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA), often in collaboration with a team of therapists. At Flourish, our Supervised Instructor Therapists deliver individualized treatment plans under close clinical supervision. We work closely with families to ensure support is respectful, effective, and rooted in shared values.
Is ABA Right for Your Family?
ABA may be appropriate for individuals experiencing developmental differences, communication challenges, or behaviours that interfere with daily life. It can also be helpful for building life skills, fostering independence, and supporting transitions (e.g., school readiness or adolescence).
If you’re curious whether ABA might be a good fit, we’re here to answer your questions and help guide the next step.
Check out FAQ | Flourish Behavioural Health and Education for more information!
References
Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1(1), 91–97. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1968.1-91
Leaf, J. B., Cihon, J. H., Ferguson, J. L., Milne, C. M., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., & Weiss, M. J. (2022). Contemporary ABA: The science is not the problem. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15(2), 611–623. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00620-7