Explore The Fascinating History of ABA Therapy
In this article, we’ll explore the history of ABA therapy, from its beginnings and development to its ongoing role in behavior modification today, and discuss what the future may hold with A New Start ABA.
Influential Dates and Figures in the History of ABA Therapy
When was applied behavior analysis first developed? ABA as a science began in the early 1900s but only developed as a therapy for children later in the century. The following is a list of significant dates and people in the development and history of ABA.
John B. Watson: The Father of Behaviorism
Going back to the early 1900s, psychology was a field dominated by ideas that focused on internal thoughts, feelings, and mental states. Psychologists were very interested in how the mind works, but this approach was criticized for being hard to study scientifically since internal thoughts can't be directly observed. That's where behaviorism comes in.
John B. Watson (1878–1958) is considered the earliest figure in the history of applied behavior analysis and is known as the father of behaviorism. Watson was a psychologist who believed that psychology should focus on observable behaviors that could be scientifically measured and understood more objectively.
Watson believed that behavior isn’t something we’re born with, rather it is shaped by our experiences and environment. He theorized that we start as "blank slates," and everything we do— how we feel, act, or interact—is learned through our surroundings. Watson’s work focused on the idea that you can change behavior by altering the environment, which became a key concept in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
B.F. Skinner and ABA Therapy: Expanding Behaviorism
B.F. Skinner (1904–1990) is typically regarded as the founder of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) due to his pioneering work in behaviorism. He built on Watson's ideas and helped shape many of the key concepts we use in ABA today.
Skinner introduced the idea that behaviors could be shaped by consequences. In simple terms, behaviors that are followed by reinforcements (rewards) are more likely to happen again, while behaviors followed by punishments (negative consequences) are less likely to be repeated. This concept, known as operant conditioning, showed that reinforcement and punishment could be used to change behavior not just in labs but in everyday life.
Skinner also stressed the importance of measuring behavior and tracking progress. This focus on data-driven results continues to be a key principle of ABA today. Behavior analysts use careful data collection to evaluate how well interventions are working and make any needed adjustments.
Shaping ABA: The Defining 1968 Paper
What article formed the basis of ABA? In 1968, psychologists Baer, Wolf, and Risley published a groundbreaking paper called "Some Current Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis," which played a pivotal role in shaping ABA as we know it. In this influential work, they laid out the key principles that would guide how behavior analysis is applied in the real world.
One of their main ideas was that interventions need to be practical—something that can be used in everyday settings. They also stressed that interventions should be meaningful, focusing on behaviors that matter in a person's life, and that the results should show real improvements in behavior and quality of life.
This paper helped establish ABA as a field that’s all about creating real, lasting changes in people's behavior across different environments like homes, schools, and workplaces.
Ivar Løvaas and the Development of ABA for Autism
When did applied behavior analysis start being used for children with autism? Skinner's research on operant conditioning and reinforcement was extensive, but he didn't specifically focus on ABA for autism. That's where Ivar Løvaas (1927–2010) comes in. Løvaas, a Norwegian-American psychologist, took Skinner's ideas and expanded on them, especially in terms of applying them to help children with autism. He also embraced the practical, real-world approach to behavior change and the focus on measurable, lasting improvements that were outlined in the influential 1968 paper.
His work in the 1960s and 1970s was groundbreaking and played a key role in developing many of the ABA techniques still used in autism therapy today.
In the 1970s, Lovaas created a focused therapy program for children with autism, which was one of the first to use ABA principles in a structured way. Known as Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI), this therapy was designed for young children, ideally under 5 years old. It showed that early intervention can lead to major improvements in both behavior and cognitive development.
What did ABA Therapy Originally Include?
Ivar Lovaas’s original ABA approach included:
- One-on-One Intensive Therapy: Structured sessions with the therapist, lasting 40+ hours a week, were seen as essential for progress.
- Discrete Trial Training (DTT): A method where tasks are broken into smaller steps, and children are reinforced for completing each step correctly (e.g., naming objects).
- Use of Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement encouraged desirable behaviors like speaking and eye contact by offering rewards such as praise or tokens.
- Focus on Communication and Social Skills: The therapy aimed to reduce problematic behaviors and help children develop skills in communication, social interaction, and self-care.
Løvaas also emphasized the importance of involving parents and teachers in the intervention process. He believed that teaching parents to use ABA techniques at home would help keep things consistent and reinforce progress outside of therapy sessions.
His work was a major landmark in ABA therapy history. His approach wasn’t just about short-term behavior change; the goal was to create lasting, meaningful changes in the child’s ability to function in the world, even after therapy ended. Løvaas helped establish the idea that autism is treatable and that with the right interventions, children can make significant progress instead of being stuck in an undeveloped state.
The 1987 Study: Evidence of Effectiveness
One of the most influential studies that brought Løvaas’s work into the spotlight was a 1987 study on the effectiveness of his intensive ABA-based therapy for children with autism. In this study, Løvaas showed that children who received about 40 hours of therapy each week for two years made significant improvements in behavior and learning compared to those who received less ABA therapy or no treatment at all.
The study found that around 47% of the children in the intensive therapy group made notable progress, with many even able to join regular education classrooms—something that was once considered unlikely for children with autism.
1977: The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) is founded
In 1977, the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) was launched as a major outlet for research on ABA. Before this, there wasn’t a dedicated place for sharing studies specifically about how behavior analysis works in real-life situations. JABA filled that gap by offering a platform where researchers could publish evidence-based studies and share new ideas.
It quickly became the go-to journal for people in the field to stay updated on the latest research, helping shape how ABA is practiced today. Thanks to JABA, ABA has grown into a well-respected and evidence-based approach to behavior change.
1992: The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) is formed
Another important development occurred in 1992 when the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) was created to set up official standards for behavior analysts. Before the BACB, there wasn’t a clear, consistent way to make sure that those practicing ABA were well-trained and followed ethical guidelines.
The BACB changed that by introducing a certification process that requires behavior analysts to meet certain education, experience, and exam requirements. They also created a code of ethics to ensure that certified professionals act responsibly. This helped make ABA more professional and credible, ensuring that practitioners deliver high-quality, ethical care, particularly when using ABA to treat autism.
From the History of ABA to ABA's Next Frontier: What's in the Future?
As ABA therapy continues to evolve, what can we expect in the future? Advances are being shaped by new technology, ongoing research, and opportunities for collaboration across various fields.
Technology is changing the way interventions are provided. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are being explored in ABA therapy, especially for helping individuals with autism practice real-life situations.
VR creates an immersive, computer-generated environment where individuals can interact and experience different scenarios. For example, VR can simulate social situations, allowing people to practice skills like making eye contact, starting conversations, or understanding body language. The controlled virtual setting can help to reduce anxiety, encouraging active participation and learning for those who find real-world situations overwhelming. Since VR allows for repetition, individuals can reinforce skills at their own pace.
Another way ABA is growing is by combining it with other types of therapy. While ABA mainly focuses on behavior, there’s potential to mix it with therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and other mental health treatments. Doing so could help therapists better support individuals with autism who also face challenges like anxiety, depression, or ADHD, creating a more complete approach to treatment.
Looking ahead, ABA has a lot of potential to keep shaping how we understand and change behavior, especially as new research, technology, and collaboration between different fields open up new possibilities.
The Lasting Impact of ABA
ABA has come a long way since its early days in behaviorism. From the foundational ideas of Watson and Skinner to the development of practical interventions by Løvaas and others, it’s now a widely accepted and evidence-based approach. Today, ABA is key in treating autism and has had a huge impact on many individuals and families.
A New Start ABA provides in-home and in-school ABA therapy services in locations across Colorado. We use the most up-to-date ABA methods available today to help children with autism gain confidence, independence, and important life skills. Contact us today to see how we can help your child.