Examples of Application to Language

“Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a science concerned with the behavior of people, what people do and say, and the behavior of animals. It attempts to understand, explain, describe, and predict behavior” (Sloan, 1992, para. 1). An applied behavior analysis approach helps autistic children to learn through positive reinforcement. Green (1997) states: “the overall goal is to help each learner develop skills that will enable him or her to be as independent and successful as possible in the long run” (para. 4).

How do they do it? Green (1997) explains:

Selection of treatment goals for each individual is guided by data from [an] initial assessment, and a curriculum scope and sequence that lists skills in all domains (learning to learn, communicate, social, academic, self-care, motor, play and leisure, etc.) broken into smaller component skills and sequenced developmentally, or from simple to complex. The goal is to help each learner develop skills that will enable him or her to be as independent and successful as possible (para. 4).

Children are instructed in accordance with specific goals and are rewarded with positive reinforcement. Behaviorism teaches language by means of communication and academics. The teacher must use data to direct her or his instruction and meet specific needs for each individual child.

In summary, behaviorist theory is being applied to a degree in this approach. This approach can be an effective one in teaching with the proper training.