Glossary Terms

Prediction refers to the observation that two events consistently occur together or in close succession. While it does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship, it indicates that the occurrence of one event can be used to predict the likelihood of the other happening Example A teacher notices that every time the recess bell rings, students begin to […]

Position Prompt is a type of instructional prompt where the correct stimulus or item is placed closer to the learner than the incorrect options. The goal is to help the learner respond correctly by making the correct choice more obvious through its proximity. Example A teacher is helping a child learn to identify colors using colored cards. The

Planned Ignoring is a behavior reduction strategy in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) where attention or reinforcement is intentionally withheld when a specific, inappropriate behavior occurs. By not providing the usual reinforcement (such as attention, comfort, or reactions) for the behavior, the goal is to decrease the likelihood of the behavior continuing. This method is commonly used to address attention-seeking behaviors.

Operant Conditioning is a learning process through which the frequency of a behavior is modified by its consequences. Positive or negative outcomes following a behavior can either increase (reinforce) or decrease (punish) the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. Example A student who answers questions correctly in class receives praise from the teacher. As a result, the student is more likely

Magnitude refers to the strength, force, or intensity of a behavior when it occurs. Example In a classroom setting, a student’s behavior of hitting a table can vary in magnitude. On some occasions, the student may tap the table lightly, while on other occasions, the student may hit the table with significant force. The magnitude of the hitting behavior can be measured

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), trend refers to the overall direction or pattern of data points in a graph over time. It indicates whether the behavior is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable across sessions. Identifying trends helps behavior analysts assess the effectiveness of an intervention and make decisions about adjusting or continuing strategies. Example A behavior analyst tracks the frequency of a student’s hand-raising behavior during

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), level refers to the value on the vertical axis (y-axis) of a graph that represents the degree or magnitude of a behavior. It indicates the average rate, frequency, or intensity of the behavior within a particular phase of an intervention or assessment. When analyzing data in ABA, level helps assess whether behavior is occurring at a high, low, or

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), variability refers to the degree of fluctuation or inconsistency in behavior data across observations or measurement sessions. High variability indicates that the behavior is unpredictable and changes significantly across different instances, while low variability suggests that the behavior is more consistent over time. Example A teacher tracks the number of

FCT (Functional Communication Training) is a behavior intervention strategy that involves teaching individuals an appropriate and effective communication response to replace maladaptive behaviors that serve the same function. The goal of FCT is to give the individual a functional way to communicate their needs or wants, thereby reducing the likelihood of problematic behaviors that may have been previously used to achieve the

An Extinction Burst refers to a temporary increase in the frequency, intensity, or duration of a behavior when the reinforcement that previously maintained the behavior is first removed. This occurs when a behavior that was once reinforced no longer receives the expected reinforcement, leading the individual to escalate the behavior in an attempt to regain that reinforcement before it eventually decreases. Example: A