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Applied Behavior Analysis Activities

Applied Behavior Analysis is a form of behavior modification using activities and rewards to help children with developmental disabilities, generally autism-spectrum disorders, achieve an appropriate level of life functioning. The Association for Behavior Analysis International has a multitude of resources and reading materials to help you further understand this complex but, according to the Autism Speaks website, scientifically proven behavior modification method.

  1. Receptive Labeling

    • Lay three to five pictures out on a table, depending upon the child's skill level. Ask the child to identify a particular picture by pointing to or touching the picture. Praise the child for correctly identifying the picture. If he responds incorrectly, say, "Try again" and give him subtle guidance to the correct picture. For example, you might place a picture of a pig, a flower and a car on the table, and then ask the child to identify the car. If he chooses the pig, you can say, "Try again. Try looking for the one you take a ride in." This also helps the child associate objects with meaning and purpose.

    Perspective Skills

    • Autistic children struggle to understand perspective and feelings in themselves, so it is even more difficult for them to grasp the concept that others have feelings, as well. Playing a game in which the child assumes the role of another person can help your child learn to understand what others want and how they feel. Place two to four pictures of food in a circle on the floor, and then place your child's favorite toy or doll in the center. Point the doll or toy in the direction of a food picture, and ask your child what the doll/toy wants to eat. He should select the appropriate picture and receive praise. Say, "Try again" after an incorrect response and use gentle prompting to help.

    Object Identification

    • Learning to identify objects by form, sound and function is an important component of Applied Behavior Analysis. Show your child three to five pictures of common household objects, for example, a spoon, a shoe and a blanket. You might ask "What do you use to eat with?" and he should identify the spoon. Give praise for the correct response; say, "Try again" and give a gentle prompt ("It is long and silver") to assist the child in finding the right object. You can do the same activity for colors, sounds and shapes of objects.

    Sequencing

    • Sequencing teaches autistic children the appropriate way to perform a task or understand a concept, such as the alphabet. Lay out cards with letters on them, for example, "A," "B" and "C." Instruct the child to choose the first letter of the sequence and praise him for a correct response. As with the other activities, follow a wrong choice with "try again" and a prompt to help the child choose the right card. You can also do this for activities such as getting dressed, brushing teeth and washing hands. Choose three components of each activity (for instance, turn on water, lather soap and rinse for hand washing) and have the child choose the appropriate sequence, again giving praise for correct responses.

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