Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

On this page, you can explore the following topics (click on the topic of interest):

What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, is a research-based philosophy of working with individuals of different abilities, not just individuals with ASD. ABA encompasses a range of strategies and methods based on standard behavioral principles designed to address reduction of behaviors by encouraging positive or desired behaviors and discouraging negative or unwanted behaviors in order to improve a variety of skills. Behaviors are considered to be a form of communication that can be addressed by teaching appropriate skills to support the reduction of undesired behaviors across settings.

Back to Top

Examples of ABA methods include, but are not limited to:

Back to Top

  • Incidental Teaching: Creating a learning environment based on an individual’s interests or motivations

Back to Top

Back to Top

  • Social Stories™: Using words and/or pictures to describe what to do in various situations that may challenge or provoke anxiety within an individual (developed by Carol Gray)

Back to Top

Additional Resources

Autism Speaks: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/applied-behavior-analysis-aba

Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB): About Behavior Analysis www.bacb.com/about-behavior-analysis/

HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training & Resource Center: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). What is it? HANDSinAutism.iupui.edu/autism.html 

Back to Top

sgshah771fbdfb28 Advocacy, Education, Health, IIACC, Research, Resources & Information

ASD: Assessing Needs for Information and Training in Indiana

HANDS in Autism® at the IU School of Medicine has been invited to conduct an analysis of the current resources and services related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Indiana. The results of this analysis will help to inform the comprehensive plan for collaboratively and strategically strengthening the supports among systems for families and individuals with ASD.

One component of this analysis involves the completion of a comprehensive needs assessment. We are seeking input from all perspectives, whether as a family member, individual with ASD, medical provider, school personnel, justice system employee, or other community service provider. For this assessment to be representative of the many stakeholder groups that support individuals with ASD as well as reflective of the needs of individuals with ASD themselves, we need participation from as many people and from as many viewpoints as possible. All responses will be confidential and only summary data will be shared with the state and as part of the report and recommendations provided to the state.

Please take a moment to complete the survey and feel free to also share this information with others who may provide insight. The survey will take approximately 10- 15 minutes to complete. If you are interested in completing a hard copy survey or know of others who may be interested in completing a hard copy version of the survey, let us know as hard copies are available upon request.

To complete the Indiana Autism Needs Assessment, click on the following link:
English Version – http://tinyurl.com/autismneeds
Spanish Version – http://tinyurl.com/spanishautismneeds

Indiana Autism Needs Assessment

HANDS in Autism® is conducting an Assessment of Needs in ASD Resources and Services in the State of Indiana. The data collected serves to inform the State and best guide recommendations for policies, processes, services, and programming as it pertains to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Indiana.

COMPLETE SURVEY
PARTICIPATE in INTERVIEw/Focus Group

We are looking for participants from Indiana who are impacted by ASD, including but not limited to individuals with ASD over 18 years of age, their family members and caregivers, education personnel, medical professionals, justice and public safety personnel, community providers and employers. Potential participants can participate in an online, anonymous survey. The needs assessment survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

The HANDS in Autism® team and project coordinators will also be conducting telephone interviews and focus groups and/or web-based conference calls or live forums with individuals and/or interest groups from various regions of Indiana and beyond to gather additional information to contribute to a more complete gap analysis. All parts of this process are essential to collecting comprehensive feedback on the status of resources and services statewide. Your participation would be highly valued and all responses are strictly confidential.

If you are interested in participating or learning more, you may access the survey link or provide your contact information at links accessible at https://handsinautism.iupui.edu/research/.

For more information about this study or to request necessary accommodations to complete this survey, contact Drs. Naomi Swiezy and/or Tiffany Neal, coordinators of this project, at hands@iupui.edu or call 317-274-2675.

Conducted by the HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center, Department of Psychiatry, IU School of Medicine on behalf of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). Approved by the Indiana University IRB # 1402513020. Primary Investigator: Naomi Swiezy, PhD, HSPP

State of the State

Annual reports have been prepared to detail the State of the State and are publicly available.  These reports address the process of recruitment and data gathering efforts as well as the resulting outcomes and recommendations from analyses of the results of statewide participation of a wide diversity of community stakeholders.

  • Focus Groups
  • Individual Interviews

2015 Report | 2016 Report