The experimental analysis of behavior (EAB) is the basic science of this field and has over many decades accumulated a substantial and well-respected research literature.
Most health insurance companies also recognize the BCBA credential as one conferring the capability and the right to practice independently in many states (including California with the passage of SB 946 into law).
Unlicensed certificants who provide behavior analytic training for educational or optimal performance purposes do not require licensed supervision, unless the law or precedent prohibits such practice.
Where the government does not regulate the treatment of medical or psychological disorders certificants should practice in accord with the laws of their state, province, or country.
In February 2008, Indiana, Arizona, Massachusetts, Vermont, Oklahoma and other states now have legislation pending to create licensure for behavior analysts.
In California, after the defeat of a bill to create a license for BCBAs in 2011, the state government instead passed SB 946 which mandates that all non-governmental insurance agencies reimburse for BCBA for behavior therapy in treating autism, starting in 2012.
Unlike many other bills mandating that autism be covered by insurance, SB 946 does not currently impose a cap on services by age or funding amount – in this it is similar to other treatments such as those for heart attacks or other chronic conditions.
Within the domain of parent–child consultation, standard intervention includes teaching parents skills such as basic reinforcement, time-out and how to manipulate different factors to modify behavior.
[18][19] Behavioral counseling is an active action–oriented approach that works with the typically developing population but also assists people with specific/discrete problems such as career decision making, drinking, smoking or rehabilitation after injury.
In this area the model made extensive use of task analysis, direct instruction, role play, reinforcement and error correction.
[36] Recently, efforts have been made to resurrect interest in behavioral counseling as a method to effectively deliver services to normal problemed populations.
The ABA approach attempts to teach skills such as appropriate play, which behavioral psychologists believe to be a precursor to social interaction and engagement with the world and others.
], the number of well-controlled studies do not rise to the level required by the American Psychological Association to hold the treatment as empirically supported in this area.
ABA principles can also be used with a range of typical or atypical individuals whose issues vary from developmental delays, significant behavioral problems or undesirable habits.
[55] Properly performed, applied behavior analysis should be done in both artificial (table) and natural environments depending on the student's progress and needs.
[citation needed] The discrete trials method was adapted as a therapy for developmentally delayed children and individuals with autism.
Michael Dougher identified four comprehensive behavior analytic programs: Steven Hayes’ et al.'s acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Jacobson et al. behavioral activation (BA), Kohlenberg & Tsai's functional analytic psychotherapy, exposure therapies (i.e., Systematic desensitization), and the community reinforcement approach for treating addictions.
[83] Several authors have argued that exposure by itself is necessary and sufficient to produce behavior change in reducing fear in social phobics and helping them engage more effectively with others.
Luber and colleagues (1981) conducted a double blind crossover study showing that seizure activity decreased by 50% in the contingent conditioning of inhibiting brain waves as opposed to the non-contingent use.
Behavior safety research has lately become focused on factors that lead programs to being retained in institutions long after the designer leaves.
[95][96] An example of the positive gains reported by Meyer (1984) found that 34% of children in the DISTAR group were accepted to college as compared to only 17% of the control school.
The goal is to better match children to the appropriate curriculum level to remove frustration as well as to track reading performance over time to see if it is improving with intervention.
Functional behavioral assessment was mandated in the United States for children who meet criteria under the individuals with disabilities education act.
Another area of growing interest in the hospital setting is the use of operant-based biofeedback with those suffering from cerebral palsy[110][111][112] or minor spinal injuries.
[115][116] While such methods are not a cure, and gains tend to be in the moderate range, they do show ability to help remaining central nervous system cells to regain some control over lost areas of functioning.
Other professionals such as speech therapists, physicians and the primary caregivers are treated as key to the implementation of successful therapy in the applied behavior analysis (ABA) model.
In the ABA framework, developing and maintaining a structured working relationship between parents or guardians and professionals is essential to ensure consistent treatment.
Its origin can be traced back to Teodoro Ayllon and Jack Michael's 1959 article "The psychiatric nurse as a behavioral engineer"[136] as well as to initial efforts to implement teaching machines.
[citation needed] In 1974 Ole Ivar Lovaas, pioneer of the use of discrete trial teaching (DTT) to treat autism, was the second author on a journal article describing the use of ABA to reduce "feminine" behaviors and increase "masculine" behaviors of a male child in an effort to prevent adult transsexualism.
[153] Both continue to draw proponents and opposition, however, in some of the more controversial cases some middle ground has been found through legislation (see Judge Rotenberg Educational Center).