Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis – September 2021

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is currently identified as the science and set of methodologies which are related to the application of the principles of behaviourism to real world setting(s) with the aim(s) of improving socially significant behaviour.

ABA consequently involves the systematic analysis of behaviour to reveal behavioural functions which in turn may be used to inform and/or formulate intervention strategies that are evidence based. ABA consequently has potential applications across a wide spectrum of areas and sectors in today’s society and culture stretching from business to healthcare.

ABA consequently has potential applications across a wide spectrum of areas and sectors in today’s society and culture stretching from business to healthcare.

Contemporary professional contexts and the recognition of the role and contribution which ABA offers focus on the primary area in which ABA has been most successful. This is recognised specifically in the work associated with Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) in which ABA has had significant success.

This course is therefore aimed at providing students/learners with a clear critical, analytic, and evaluative understanding and solid foundation of contemporary knowledge in behavioural theory and practice and the principles underpinning the subject area.

The programme will provide students/learners with a critical insight into, and evaluative understanding of, the practical applications of the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) with particular attention paid to examples and areas related to:

• autism and persons with autism;
• particular areas of intellectual and developmental disabilities;
• children and adolescents in care, and,
• persons with certain identifiable learning and/or behavioural challenges in particular schools level contexts.

The module has consequently been designed to enable learners to:

• have a greater critical, analytic, and evaluative approach towards demonstrating understanding and application of the principles and features of ABA and how to apply these in particular situations or circumstances;
• critically identify, describe, model, and design options for the application of behavioural interventions to both decrease and increase behaviour as necessary;
• identify, analyse, evaluate, describe and determine the function of a “challenging behaviour” and its contexts.

The module will critically discuss and explore, within core lecture/workshop/discussion delivery sessions key subject areas and topics including:

• What is ABA? : current definitions, theories, principles; examples and case study considerations;
• The concept and language of a what is a “science discipline” in contemporary societies;
• The clarification of terminology and the use of relevant applicable language and terminology
• The principles of behaviour theory, analysis, and application;
• Identification of, and dealing with, challenging behaviour;
• Verbal behaviour and communication;
• Functional Communication Training (FCT) and key applications of ABA;
• Conducting functional behavioural assessments;
• Measuring behaviour;
• Designing and implementing behavioural interventions;
• The analysis and display of behavioural data;
• The ethical contexts and concerns of ABA and the behaviour analyst;
• Sources, evidence, literature and examples.