Assignment 1, Discussion 14: Applied Behavior Analysis and Communication
Before completing the assignments, please read the readings and instructional lessons for this module. Please complete these items at the beginning of the module as they are the basis for your discussions and assignments.
Assignment 1, Discussion 14: Applied Behavior Analysis and Communication
American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association’s (2022) article presents a systematic study on the role of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in teaching new communication skills. According to the association above, ABA, linked to behavioural theory, is considered a scientific technique critical for understanding human behaviour. The article notes that ABA can be used to educate people with hearing and vision impairment on the right communication skills. It alleges, ABA can fulfil the latter by primarily paying attention to the learner’s behaviours, antecedents and consequences of their actions.
The article too affirms that Applied Behavior Analysis helps teach new communication skills by first identifying the antecedents, including prompts the learner presents. Also, it asserts the behaviour components the learners present. This includes the demonstrated and target behaviour of the learner. Additionally, it mentions the consequences of the learner’s actions. This ranges from corrective feedback and positive reinforcement like tangible reinforcement or verbal praise.
On the other hand, too, it claims that ABA pays attention to behavioural principles like shaping, modelling, response cost, chaining and fading the learner implements. With the help of discrete trial training and ABC, new communication skills can be introduced to learners with visual and hearing impairments. Through the two, a learner is encouraged to learn a particular skill. The article affirms that ABA fulfils the latter as it uses technology to measure the learner’s speech recognition, attention, engagement and dyadic interlinkage. Besides that, the article notes that ABA principles work interchangeably with Picture Exchange Communication System. Therefore, applied behaviour analysts can teach learners with different needs functional communication knowledge and skills with the two. A learner in the end can note communication patterns and how to use textures and partial objects in communication through the two. The article also insists that the application of ABA requires in-depth consideration of who conducts and receives the intervention and the needed intervention methods.
References
American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association (2022). Applied Behavior Analysis and Communication Services. https://www.asha.org/njc/applied-behavior-analysis-and-communication-services/
