What does ABA mean?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior and helps us to understand:
- How behavior works
- How behavior is affected by the environment
- How learning takes place
ABA therapy applies our understanding of how behavior works to real situations. The goal is to increase behaviors that are helpful and decrease behaviors that are harmful or affect learning.
ABA therapy programs can help to:
- Increase language and communication skills
- Improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics
- Decrease problem behaviors
How does ABA therapy work?
Applied Behavior Analysis involves many techniques for understanding and changing behavior.
- Can be adapted to meet the needs of each unique person
- Provided in many different locations – at home, at school, and in the community
- Teaches skills that are useful in everyday life
- Can involve one-to-one teaching or group instruction
My experiences in ABA
My first approach with ABA was my MA dissertation about a study of five children with autism between the ages of six and eight years old, assessing and investigating their behaviour in relation to a specific environment and situation. I worked with the Be&Able association in Rome for two years, including the follow-up to see the effectiveness of the research.
After that experience, I moved to London where I worked for two years at Snowflake School and meantime I started to work as ABA Therapist also for different home programs. I have been in London for almost seven years and, in September 2021, I decided to go back to Italy, my original country.
Currently, I am working as a self-employed therapist and supervisor, with italians and international clients with different types of neurological disorders. As self-employed, I have plenty of opportunities to come in to contact with various structures and environments (nurseries, mainstream schools, private clinics) when, during the supervision’s hours, we set new targets.
Flavia Capoano 