SARRC FAQs

SARRC uses applied behavior analysis (ABA) across our programs for children, teens and adults. Regardless of age, program, or specific intervention, we approach each client as an individual. The teaching strategies and techniques are selected based on each person’s unique profile and needs; family and client input; and data on how the client responds to intervention. 

Applied behavior analysis, commonly referred to as ABA, is a scientific approach to understanding behavior. The goal of ABA is to establish and enhance socially-meaningful behaviors. Such behaviors can include academic, social, communication, daily living, professional or employment, or any skill that will improve independence or quality of life. 

ABA refers to a set of principles that focus on how behaviors change or are affected by the environment and how learning occurs. ABA emphasizes direct observation, objective measurement, and evaluation of the effects of interventions to ensure they have the desired outcome. 

ABA requires the implementation of established principles of learning, behavioral strategies, and environmental modifications to improve skills, teach new skills, and reduce undesired behaviors. In practice, the teaching must be systematic so therapists can identify how behavior can be changed and understand how learning occurs. 

There is a large body of scientific support on the effectiveness of ABA for individuals with autism and covers a wide range of skills that can be taught.

A common misconception is that ABA is only effective for children with autism. While much of the attention still focuses on children with autism and the benefits achieved through ABA intervention, evidence and support demonstrate that ABA is also highly effective for teens and adults with autism.

Additionally, ABA is practiced outside of the autism field. ABA is impactful for other areas such as education, gerontology, sports, safety, and organizational behavior management.

It is important that as much as possible family members and/or caregivers are involved in intervention processes, which, in turn, will better improve outcomes for an individual.  Including family members can support consistency and increase the overall intensity of the intervention.  Family and caregiver participation should be individualized to meet the needs of the family and client and aimed at improving the entire family unit’s quality of life.

ABA-based programs rely on different behavior-based teaching paradigms to work on highly individualized skills, and behaviors and, therefore, no two programs should look identical. Instead, you may find some commonalities across plans. For example, using reinforcement to maintain or increase the desired response or providing a prompt to help ensure success may be present. Plans should be developed to best fit the individual and within the scope of expertise of the supervising behavior analyst.

Remember, if you have questions about the intervention, ask! Behavior analysts should provide a clear, intentional rationale for what they are teaching and why they are teaching it. Behavior analysts love talking about the science behind what they are teaching.   

Just about anything you can think of can be taught with ABA! Often, it is believed that ABA only addresses problem behaviors. At SARRC, you will see clients working on developing a range of skills from riding a bicycle, brushing teeth, and turn-taking, interviewing for a job, practicing internet safety, and engaging in self-advocacy. We rely on our clients and their families to identify the most important skills to them, so we may best help them meet their goals. 

Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) is a naturalistic ABA-based approach. PRT focuses on targeting learning in everyday activities and routines. Since learning occurs in naturally-occurring activities, PRT includes incorporating parents, caregivers, siblings, and peers into the mix.

PRT has identified pivotal areas of development that include motivation, initiations, self-management, and responsivity to multiple cues. By targeting these areas of development, PRT has demonstrated widespread collateral improvements in social, communicative, and behavioral areas that are not specifically targeted. Skills taught across meaningful activities often lead to natural consequences and support SARRC’s goal to ensure individuals with autism are meaningfully integrated into inclusive communities. It’s not only the individuals with autism who are learning, but the communities that we are in are also benefiting.

It’s important to note that ABA therapy relies on evidence-based practice, meaning its intervention strategies clinically support effective and produce positive outcomes for individuals with autism.

There are also many ABA providers a family or individual may consider, but it is important to evaluate and select a provider that is high quality, and which prioritizes both the needs of the individual as well as their family. By researching and selecting a provider that aligns with your family’s goals and overarching values as well as employs BCBAs, the highest certification given by the field of behavior therapy, it may help eliminate unwanted risks. As well, communicate openly and honestly with your team of BCBAs and RBTs and be sure to let them know what is working well for your family as well as if something is not. It’s a team effort!

As a rapidly growing field, the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) was established in 1998 and has identified several certifications, including Behavior Analyst and Registered Behavior Technician. Both certificates have educational requirements, training, and codes to ensure professional and ethical practice to protect the field and consumers. Additionally, many states now license Behavior Analysts and the licensure laws of the state further ensure the ethical practice of ABA.

Every family and client will engage in a formal consent process to identify risks, and benefits, and address any questions or concerns. In practice, we work with families and individuals to understand their values, religious beliefs, and goals to ensure that the plans we create together are aligned. In addition, daily we engage clients to ensure continued ascent and identify individual preferences that we can include in sessions.

We are open to feedback as well as incorporating feedback from all of our stakeholders. As practitioners, we embrace our SARRC values of learning and people as we stay up to date on best practices and engage in continued education to further our field and serve our community.

A BCBA, or Board Certified Behavior Analyst®, is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis who delivers ABA therapy. Professionals certified at the BCBA level are independent practitioners who provide and/or supervise behavior-analytic services. As of 2021, SARRC is proud to report we employ the highest number of BCBAs in a single organization in Arizona.