ABA therapy comes with its own vocabulary — and we want every family to feel informed and confident. This glossary breaks down the terms you're most likely to hear from our team, explained in plain, straightforward language.

Glossary of Terms

Understanding ABA

1
Core ABA Concepts
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis)
A therapy that helps individuals learn new skills and reduce challenging behaviors using positive, research-based methods.
Behavior
Anything a person does that can be seen or measured (talking, crying, playing, hitting, following directions).
Antecedent
What happens right before a behavior.
Consequence
What happens after a behavior, which affects whether it will happen again.
ABC Data
A way to understand behavior: Antecedent (before), Behavior (what happened), Consequence (after).
2
Why Behaviors Happen (Functions of Behavior)
Functions of Behavior
The reason a behavior occurs. The four main functions are:
Attention
To get noticed
Escape
To avoid or get out of something
Access
To get something they want
Sensory
Because it feels good or helps regulate their body
3
Reinforcement & Behavior Change
Reinforcement
Anything that increases the chance a behavior will happen again.
Positive: Giving something preferred (praise, item, activity). Negative: Removing something unpleasant.
Punishment (ABA Definition)
Something that decreases a behavior. This does NOT mean physical punishment.
Extinction
Stopping a behavior by no longer giving it what it was getting before.
Replacement Behavior
A safer or more appropriate behavior taught instead of a challenging one.
4
Prompting & Independence
Prompt
Help given to support an individual in completing a task.
Prompt Fading
Gradually reducing help so the individual can complete the task independently.
Independent
When an individual completes a skill without help.
5
Teaching Methods in ABA
Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
Structured teaching with clear steps: Instruction → Response → Reward or correction.
Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
Teaching skills during everyday routines like play, meals, or community activities.
Task Analysis
Breaking a skill into small steps.
Chaining
Teaching steps of a task one at a time. Forward Chaining: first step first. Backward Chaining: last step first.
6
Communication (Verbal Behavior Terms)
Mand
A request.
Example: An individual says "drink" when they want something to drink.
Tact
Labeling or naming something.
Example: Saying "car" when seeing a car.
Echoic
Repeating what someone else says.
Example: Someone says "hello" → the individual repeats "hello."
Intraverbal
Answering questions or having conversations.
Example: "What do you eat?" → "Pizza"
Listener Responding
Following directions.
Example: "Sit down" or "Touch your head."
Receptive Language
Understanding what others say.
Expressive Language
Using words, signs, or devices to communicate.
7
Assessments & Planning
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
An assessment used to figure out why a behavior is happening.
Behavior Support Plan (BSP)
A plan that explains why behaviors happen, how to prevent them, what to teach instead, and how to respond.
Baseline
Starting data collected before teaching begins.
Data Collection
Tracking behaviors and progress during sessions.
Mastery Criteria
The goal an individual must meet to show they've learned a skill.
8
Skill Development
Skill Acquisition
Teaching new skills.
Generalization
Using a skill in different places, with different people, or situations.
Maintenance
Keeping a skill over time after it is learned.
Daily Living Skills
Everyday skills like dressing, eating, hygiene, and independence.
Social Skills
Skills used to interact with others (sharing, turn-taking, conversation).
9
Challenging Behaviors
Maladaptive Behavior
Behaviors that interfere with learning, safety, or daily life.
Elopement
Leaving a safe area without permission.
Self-Stimulatory Behavior (Stimming)
Repetitive behaviors that may help with regulation (rocking, hand flapping).
10
Therapy Team Roles
BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)
Designs and oversees the therapy program.
RBT (Registered Behavior Technician)
Works directly with the individual implementing therapy.
Parent/Caregiver Training
Teaching caregivers how to use strategies at home and in the community.
11
Motivation & Engagement
Pairing
Building a positive relationship so the individual enjoys working with the therapist.
Token System
A reward system where tokens are earned and exchanged for a larger reward.