A Skills Assessment is a process used to evaluate an individual’s current abilities and competencies across various domains (e.g., communication, social skillsSocial skills refer to the abilities that enable individuals to interact and communicate effectively with others in social settings. These skills involve understanding and using appropriate behaviors,... More, self-care, academic skills). In AppliedApplied means that the behaviors targeted for change in ABA are important and meaningful in everyday life, helping to improve the person’s quality of life or social functioning. Example A ... More BehaviorBehavior refers to any activity or action that living organisms engage in, which can be observed, measured, and analyzed. It encompasses all interactions an organism has with its environment, inc... More Analysis (ABA), skills assessments help identify areas where a person excels and areas that require intervention or development. This information is used to create personalized intervention plans aimed at teaching new skills and improving the individual’s overall functioning. The assessment can be conducted through direct observation, standardized tests, interviews, and data collection.
Example
A skills assessment was conducted for 5-year-old Ava, who was receiving early intervention services. The assessment focused on her communication, social, and daily living skillsDaily Living Skills are fundamental skills that allow individuals to care for themselves and manage everyday tasks. Teaching these skills is a key focus in ABA interventions, helping individuals achie... More. Through a combination of direct observation and structured testing (such as the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP)), the behavior analyst evaluated Ava’s current abilities. The results indicated that while Ava could request basic items (e.g., asking for juice), she had limited social interaction skills and struggled with self-care tasks like brushing her teeth independently. Based on the assessment results, the team developed an intervention plan to target specific goals, such as teaching Ava to initiate peer interactions and improving her self-care routines.
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)A Functional Assessment (FA) is a process used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to identify the underlying reasons or functions for a specific behavior. The assessment involves gathering information... More, Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)A Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is a formal, individualized plan designed to address problematic behaviors by outlining specific strategies to reduce the undesirable behavior and teach new, more ap... More, Communication Skills, Social Skills, Daily Living Skills