Is a person who develops a treatment/behavioral plans, trains and supervises staff. It is important that a consultant possess a BCBA or a BCBA-D certification along with the pertinent experience required to oversee an ABA program or services.

These types of reinforcers acquired their reinforcing properties only after they are paired with other stronger [unconditioned]reinforcers. For example, a plastic chip by itself may not be reinforcing but it may be so only after the plastic chip is associated with, let’s say, a bag of peanuts (assuming the learner “loves” peanuts).

 

Chronological age is the actual age calculated by a person’s birthdate. A developmental age is based on level of functioning/cognitive ability, and adaptive skills. For example, a child can have a chronological age of 12; however, an assessment can suggest that her developmental age is of a 4 year-old.

 

This term is used to describe a situation in which a behavior may occur differently given two different situations.  For example, Cindy bites her nails so badly that her cuticles start to bleed. Her parents are divorced so she spends one month at a time with either parent. Cindy’s mom scolds her every time she sees Cindy biting her nails, but her dad just “reminds” her to stop doing it when she is with him.  Given this, Cindy’s nail-biting behaviors are less likely to happen when she is with her mom and more so when she is with her dad.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. First passed in 1975, the primary purposes of IDEA are to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities and to give parents a voice in their child’s education.