Blog 23

Behavioral Strategy: Applied Behavioral Analysis

Introduction

         “Every child deserves a champion-an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” This beautiful quote by Rita Pierson is the definition of a teacher who would do anything for his or her students and never give up on them. It most importantly emphasizes the type of teacher who would never give up on a student with a disability. In todays society the number of children being diagnosed with different learning disabilities has increased tremendously and continues to grow everyday. With this learning disability epidemic, teachers are now faced with having to educate a large number of students with disabilities, which can prove to be very difficult. Often, students with learning disabilities have behavioral problems that negatively effect their learning process. Teachers must be powerful and have the drive to push a child with a learning disability and have the knowledge to apply behavioral strategies so the student can have a positive learning experience rather than one that is controlled by their disability. One particular behavioral strategy that is very common and popular among educators is known as Applied Behavioral Analysis or ABA. 

         In this research project I will examine whether the use of Applied Behavioral Analysis within a classroom improves the learning process and overall schooling experience for students with special needs. The understanding of this behavioral strategy is very important and should be taken very seriously by educators. Due to the increasing number of students being diagnosed with disabilities in todays society, educators need to be aware of the types of behavioral strategies that should be used to improve their students education. That is why the main purpose of this study is to determine if the behavioral strategy, ABA is effective and whether teachers should begin to implement it more in their classrooms to benefit the education of their special needs students. My main research will be done through a literature review which will touch on two articles on Applied Behavioral Analysis and its uses within the classroom for students with special needs. Then, I will gather the rest of my research through an interview with a licensed Speech Pathologist who uses ABA on a daily basis. Lastly, I will present the data I gathered from all of my research and finally the conclusion. Through this I hope to be able to determine whether the use of ABA within a classroom should be used by all teachers or better off forgotten.