Understanding ABA therapy does not need to feel confusing. This guide explains common terms in clear, calm language and gives a quick example for each one so you can easily connect the ideas to your child’s world.
A-D
AAC
Definition: Augmentative and alternative communication refers to tools or methods that help a person communicate if speaking is difficult.
Example: A child taps a picture of a cup on their device to ask for a drink.
Example: A child taps a picture of a cup on their device to ask for a drink.
ABA Therapy
Definition: Applied Behavior Analysis is a therapy approach that teaches meaningful skills and reduces challenges by understanding how learning and behavior work.
Example: A therapist teaches a child to put on shoes by breaking the steps into small parts and celebrating each success.
Example: A therapist teaches a child to put on shoes by breaking the steps into small parts and celebrating each success.
ABC
Definition: ABC stands for Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence. It is a way of understanding what happens before a behavior, what the behavior looks like, and what happens right after.
Example: A parent says “Time to clean up” (antecedent). The child cries (behavior). The parent helps the child put toys away and praises their effort (consequence).
Example: A parent says “Time to clean up” (antecedent). The child cries (behavior). The parent helps the child put toys away and praises their effort (consequence).
Antecendent
Definition: The event or situation that happens right before a behavior.
Example: The bell rings at school and the student lines up.
Example: The bell rings at school and the student lines up.
BCaBA
Definition: A Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst who supports clients under the supervision of a BCBA.
Example: A BCaBA helps train therapists and reviews treatment data to support progress.
Example: A BCaBA helps train therapists and reviews treatment data to support progress.
BCBA
Definition: A Board Certified Behavior Analyst who designs and oversees ABA treatment.
Example: Your BCBA meets with you monthly to review goals and adjust your child’s programs.
Example: Your BCBA meets with you monthly to review goals and adjust your child’s programs.
Behavior
Definition: Any action a person does that can be seen or heard. This includes talking, playing, asking for help, or yelling.
Example: A child reaches for a toy, which is a behavior that communicates interest.
Example: A child reaches for a toy, which is a behavior that communicates interest.
BSP (Behavior Support Plan)
Definition: A written plan that explains how to teach new skills and reduce unsafe or challenging behavior.
Example: The BSP might include teaching a child to ask for a break instead of running away.
Example: The BSP might include teaching a child to ask for a break instead of running away.
Consequence
Definition: What happens immediately after a behavior. It can increase or decrease the chance the behavior happens again.
Example: A child says “cookie please” and gets a cookie. This may increase polite asking in the future.
Example: A child says “cookie please” and gets a cookie. This may increase polite asking in the future.
Data
Definition: Information collected during sessions to track progress and guide decisions.
Example: A therapist records how often a child raises their hand in class.
Example: A therapist records how often a child raises their hand in class.
Differential Reinforcement
Definition: Praising or rewarding the behaviors you want to see while not reinforcing behaviors you want to reduce.
Example: A child gets attention for raising their hand but not for shouting answers.
Example: A child gets attention for raising their hand but not for shouting answers.
Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
Definition: A structured teaching method that breaks skills into clear, repeatable steps.
Example: A therapist presents a picture of a cat, the child identifies it, and the therapist gives encouragement.
Example: A therapist presents a picture of a cat, the child identifies it, and the therapist gives encouragement.
Discrete Trial Training vs. Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
Definition: DTT teaches skills in a structured format, while NET teaches during everyday activities and play.
Example: DTT might teach colors at a table using picture cards. NET teaches colors while playing with crayons or blocks.
Example: DTT might teach colors at a table using picture cards. NET teaches colors while playing with crayons or blocks.
E-N
Echoic
Definition: Repeating what someone says.
Example: An adult says “ball” and the child echoes “ball.”
Example: An adult says “ball” and the child echoes “ball.”
EIBI or ABA for Early Learners
Definition: Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention is a high support ABA program for young children that focuses on communication, play, and daily living skills.
Example: A team provides several hours of play based learning each week for a toddler to build foundational skills.
Example: A team provides several hours of play based learning each week for a toddler to build foundational skills.
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
Definition: A process that helps identify why a behavior is happening and what the behavior is trying to communicate.
Example: An FBA might show that a child hits during math work to escape difficult tasks.
Example: An FBA might show that a child hits during math work to escape difficult tasks.
Generalization
Definition: Using a skill in different places, with different people, or at different times.
Example: A child learns to zip a jacket at home and later zips their coat at school.
Example: A child learns to zip a jacket at home and later zips their coat at school.
IEP
Definition: An Individualized Education Program is a school plan that outlines supports and goals for a student with special needs.
Example: An IEP may include speech therapy, behavior goals, and classroom accommodations.
Example: An IEP may include speech therapy, behavior goals, and classroom accommodations.
Imitation
Definition: Copying another person’s actions or sounds.
Example: A child claps after seeing their therapist clap.
Example: A child claps after seeing their therapist clap.
Intraverbal
Definition: Responding with words that are related but not identical to what someone says.
Example: An adult asks “What do you eat for breakfast?” and the child answers “Pancakes.”
Example: An adult asks “What do you eat for breakfast?” and the child answers “Pancakes.”
Listener Response (LR)
Definition: Following simple directions.
Example: A child hears “Touch your head” and follows the direction.
Example: A child hears “Touch your head” and follows the direction.
Listener Response by Feature, Function, or Class (LRFFC)
Definition: Following directions based on a description, not just a label.
Example: A child is told “Show me something you drink from” and hands over a cup.
Example: A child is told “Show me something you drink from” and hands over a cup.
Mand / Manding
Definition: Asking for what you want or need.
Example: A child says “juice” or hands a picture of juice to request a drink.
Example: A child says “juice” or hands a picture of juice to request a drink.
Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
Definition: Teaching skills during natural activities, play, and routines.
Example: A therapist helps a child practice counting while building a tower with blocks.
Example: A therapist helps a child practice counting while building a tower with blocks.
Negative Punishment
Definition: Taking something away to reduce a behavior.
Example: A child loses tablet time after hitting a sibling.
Example: A child loses tablet time after hitting a sibling.
Negative Reinforcement
Definition: Removing something unpleasant to increase a behavior.
Example: A student finishes homework and no longer has to do extra practice sheets.
Example: A student finishes homework and no longer has to do extra practice sheets.
O-R
OT (Occupational Therapy)
Definition: A therapy that helps people develop daily living, motor, and sensory skills.
Example: An OT supports a child in learning how to cut with scissors or use utensils.
Example: An OT supports a child in learning how to cut with scissors or use utensils.
Pairing
Definition: Building a positive relationship by connecting yourself with fun activities and items.
Example: A therapist joins a child in bubbles and favorite games so the child enjoys being together.
Example: A therapist joins a child in bubbles and favorite games so the child enjoys being together.
PECS
Definition: The Picture Exchange Communication System uses pictures to help a person request and communicate.
Example: A child hands over a picture of a cookie to get a cookie.
Example: A child hands over a picture of a cookie to get a cookie.
Positive Punishment
Definition: Adding something to reduce a behavior.
Example: A child is asked to clean up spilled water after throwing a cup, making the behavior less likely.
Example: A child is asked to clean up spilled water after throwing a cup, making the behavior less likely.
Positive Reinforcement
Definition: Adding something a person enjoys to increase a behavior.
Example: A child earns extra playtime for finishing homework.
Example: A child earns extra playtime for finishing homework.
Prompting
Definition: Helping a person do a skill by giving support like pointing, modeling, or guiding.
Example: A therapist points to the correct puzzle piece to help the child place it.
Example: A therapist points to the correct puzzle piece to help the child place it.
PT (Physical Therapy)
Definition: A therapy that builds strength, balance, and movement skills.
Example: A PT helps a child learn to jump, climb, or safely navigate stairs.
Example: A PT helps a child learn to jump, climb, or safely navigate stairs.
RBT (Registered Behavior Technician)
Definition: A trained technician who works directly with clients and implements ABA therapy under BCBA supervision.
Example: An RBT practices new skills with your child during each session.
Example: An RBT practices new skills with your child during each session.
Reinforcement
Definition: Anything that makes a behavior more likely to happen again.
Example: A child gets praise for sharing a toy, which encourages more sharing.
Example: A child gets praise for sharing a toy, which encourages more sharing.
S-V
Shaping
Definition: Teaching a new skill by rewarding small steps that lead toward the complete skill.
Example: Celebrating when a child says “buh” for “bubble” and gradually working toward the full word.
Example: Celebrating when a child says “buh” for “bubble” and gradually working toward the full word.
SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist)
Definition: A professional who helps with communication, feeding, and speech.
Example: An SLP teaches a child how to combine words into simple phrases.
Example: An SLP teaches a child how to combine words into simple phrases.
Tact / Tacting
Definition: Labeling or naming things you see.
Example: A child looks at a dog and says “dog.”
Example: A child looks at a dog and says “dog.”
Task Analysis / Chaining
Definition: Breaking a skill into small steps and teaching each one until the whole routine is learned.
Example: Brushing teeth is taught step by step, such as picking up the toothbrush, adding toothpaste, brushing, and rinsing.
Example: Brushing teeth is taught step by step, such as picking up the toothbrush, adding toothpaste, brushing, and rinsing.
Textual
Definition: Reading written words out loud.
Example: A child reads the word “cat” from a flashcard.
Example: A child reads the word “cat” from a flashcard.
Transcription
Definition: Writing or typing spoken words.
Example: A child hears “sun” and writes the word on paper.
Example: A child hears “sun” and writes the word on paper.
Treatment Plan
Definition: A customized plan created by the BCBA that includes goals, strategies, and progress monitoring for your child.
Example: The treatment plan might include goals for communication, play, and daily living skills.
Example: The treatment plan might include goals for communication, play, and daily living skills.
Visual Performance (VP) or Visual Performance Skills (VPS)
Definition: The ability to match, sort, scan, and understand visual information.
Example: A child sorts blocks by color or matches identical pictures.
Example: A child sorts blocks by color or matches identical pictures.
Learning ABA terms can feel like a lot at first, but having clear and simple explanations can make the process much easier. As you grow more familiar with this language, you’ll be able to take a more active role in your child’s therapy and feel confident during team meetings, school discussions, and everyday routines. Keep this guide handy, revisit it whenever you need a quick refresher, and remember that you never have to navigate your child’s journey alone.
Your understanding, involvement, and advocacy make a powerful difference, and you’re already taking meaningful steps forward.
If you’d like more guidance, visit our FAQs and blog library for additional tools and examples, or reach out to our team anytime to get personalized support.
