ABA Therapy Course

Lesson 1 • Core Principles of Behaviour

Defines reinforcement, punishment, extinction, and stimulus control. These principles form the analytical lens applied throughout every subsequent chapter.

Lesson 2 • Introduction to the Learner Profile

Covers how individual learning histories, diagnoses, and strengths shape ABA programming. Sets the stage for individualised assessment and intervention planning.

Lesson 3 • Dimensions of Applied Behaviour Analysis

Examines the seven dimensions: applied, behavioural, analytic, technological, conceptually systematic, effective, and generality. Students use these as quality benchmarks.

Lesson 4 • History and Philosophy of ABA

Traces ABA's origins from behaviourism to modern practice. Grounds students in the scientific and ethical philosophy that distinguishes ABA from other therapeutic approaches.

Lesson 1 • Why Measurement Matters in ABA

Explains the role of objective data in demonstrating behaviour change. Connects measurement to accountability, treatment validity, and ethical practice.

Lesson 2 • Interobserver Agreement and Reliability

Defines IOA calculation methods and acceptable reliability thresholds. Ensures data integrity across multiple observers and settings.

Lesson 3 • Graphing and Visual Analysis

Teaches construction and interpretation of line graphs, bar graphs, and cumulative records. Visual analysis is the primary tool for evaluating behaviour change.

Lesson 4 • Discontinuous Measurement Methods

Teaches whole-interval, partial-interval, and momentary time sampling. Students understand trade-offs between accuracy and feasibility in naturalistic settings.

Lesson 5 • Permanent Product and Indirect Measures

Introduces outcome-based and retrospective data collection. Complements direct observation when real-time recording is not feasible.

Lesson 1 • Skill Acquisition Assessments

Introduces standardised and criterion-referenced tools for assessing skill deficits. Results guide target selection and programming priorities.

Lesson 2 • Functional Analysis Methodology

Covers experimental FA conditions: attention, demand, alone, and control. Students understand how FA isolates behavioural function with scientific rigour.

Lesson 3 • Functional Behaviour Assessment

Guides students through FBA process: interviews, observations, and hypothesis development. FBA findings anchor function-based intervention design.

Lesson 4 • Preference and Reinforcer Assessments

Teaches systematic methods to identify potent reinforcers. Accurate reinforcer identification is critical to effective skill acquisition programming.

Lesson 1 • Differential Reinforcement Procedures

Teaches DRO, DRA, DRI, DRL, and DRH procedures. Students select the appropriate DR procedure based on behaviour function and treatment goals.

Lesson 2 • Punishment Procedures and Ethical Use

Examines response cost, time-out, and overcorrection within an ethical framework. Emphasises least-restrictive hierarchy and caregiver consent requirements.

Lesson 3 • Token Economy Systems

Designs and implements token economies as conditioned reinforcement systems. Bridges immediate reinforcement with delayed backup reinforcers in naturalistic settings.

Lesson 4 • Reinforcement Schedules and Delivery

Covers continuous, fixed-ratio, variable-ratio, fixed-interval, and variable-interval schedules. Schedule selection determines response rate, pattern, and resistance to extinction.

Lesson 1 • Shaping and Chaining Procedures

Teaches successive approximation and task analysis-based chaining. Students build complex behaviours by reinforcing incremental steps towards the terminal goal.

Lesson 2 • Prompting Strategies and Hierarchies

Covers physical, model, gestural, positional, and verbal prompts. Students apply most-to-least and least-to-most hierarchies to promote independent responding.

Lesson 3 • Naturalistic Teaching Strategies

Introduces incidental teaching, pivotal response training, and natural environment teaching. Embeds instruction in daily routines to promote generalisation.

Lesson 4 • Generalisation and Maintenance Planning

Covers strategies to promote skill transfer across people, settings, and stimuli. Maintenance programming ensures skills persist after formal instruction ends.

Lesson 5 • Discrete Trial Training Fundamentals

Teaches DTT structure: SD, response, consequence, and inter-trial interval. DTT is the foundational massed-practice format for skill acquisition.

Lesson 1 • Crisis Prevention and Safety Planning

Covers proactive strategies to prevent escalation and ensure physical safety. Students develop individualised crisis protocols aligned with ethical guidelines.

Lesson 2 • Function-Based Intervention Logic

Connects FBA hypothesis to intervention selection. Students understand why function-matched interventions outperform topography-based approaches.

Lesson 3 • Antecedent Modification Strategies

Teaches environmental modifications, high-probability sequences, and noncontingent reinforcement. Antecedent strategies reduce behaviour before it occurs.

Lesson 4 • Treatment Integrity and Fidelity

Defines treatment integrity and methods to measure and improve it. High fidelity ensures that data reflect the intervention, not implementation variability.

Lesson 1 • Supervision Models and Responsibilities

Defines supervisory roles, competency-based supervision, and feedback delivery. Effective supervision ensures quality service and supports supervisee development.

Lesson 2 • Professional Code of Ethics

Reviews the professional ethics code governing certified behaviour analysts. Students apply code sections to realistic clinical scenarios and boundary situations.

Lesson 3 • Cultural Humility and Diversity in Practice

Addresses culturally responsive assessment and intervention. Students adapt practices to honour diverse family values, communication styles, and community norms.

Lesson 4 • Core Ethical Principles in ABA

Examines beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice as applied to ABA. These principles underpin every clinical and supervisory decision.

Lesson 1 • Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Covers collaboration with speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and educators. Students communicate ABA findings in accessible, jargon-free formats.

Lesson 2 • Comprehensive Programme Development

Synthesises assessment data into a full treatment plan with prioritised goals. Students balance skill acquisition and behaviour reduction within a unified programme.

Lesson 3 • Evaluating Social Validity and Outcomes

Assesses whether goals, procedures, and outcomes are meaningful to clients and families. Social validity data complement behavioural data in evaluating programme success.

Lesson 4 • Transitioning and Discharge Planning

Guides students through criteria-based discharge and transition planning. Ensures skill maintenance and continuity of care as clients move across service settings.

Lesson 5 • Caregiver Training and Generalisation

Designs structured caregiver training programmes using behavioural skills training. Caregiver implementation extends treatment impact beyond clinical sessions.