Autism Resources: ABA, VB & PRT

Apr 28, 2008 -

Autism/Special Needs, Resources, Therapies

Autism Resources: ABA, VB & PRT

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other types of behavioral interventions are one of the first things most parents hear about when they start researching autism, but it can be difficult to even sort out how they relate to each other. Although this list of definitions and books is just a drop in the bucket when it comes to ABA, I am listing the three acronyms that most confused me when I was starting out:

ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis: A treatment system “based on behaviorist theories which, simply put, state that behaviors can be taught through a system of rewards and consequences” (from About.com). Sometimes called the “Lovaas method” in reference to Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas, who first applied these principles to autism.
VB – Verbal Behavior: Not a separate treatment method, but rather refers to the “inclusion of B.F. Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior as a conceptual tool within the framework of an ABA program” (from a Childnett.tv video of Vince Carbone, who is one of the top researchers and practitioners in Verbal Behavior).
PRT – Pivotal Response Training: a “naturalistic intervention model derived from the principles of ABA” (from Wikipedia). Developed by Drs. Robert and Lynn Koegel to focus on “pivotal behaviors,” such as motivation and self-management, rather than targeting individual behaviors one at a time. More information can be found at the UCSB Koegel Autism Center.