The ABC's of ABA

Applied behavior analysis focuses on targeting behavior with real life applications in a measurable way based on the data gathered in therapy. As therapists focus on behaviors, then observe the ABC's, or the antecedents, behaviors, and the consequences. The antecedents are what happens directly before the behavior while consequences are what follows after the behavior. Together, the ABC's form what is called the contingency of reinforcement. Due to this contingency, behaviors can either increase in frequency, decrease in frequency, or stay the same depending on what the consequence of their actions was. Observing this contingency is what informs therapists on what to change in order to make therapy successful.