The Practice of "ABA Therapy" and The Roots of "Applied Behavior Analysis"

While exploring the project releasing at midnight tonight, The History of Applied Behavior Analysis: Part 1*, there were some interesting things to consider.

One was the title of the piece. The history of the field of behavior analysis is vast. When discussing this early vision of a course and film on the topic, it became clear there were a lot of potential paths to take. One constraint I welcomed was keeping this project focused on a particular area: Lawrence, Kansas. Constraints are often useful in helping narrow the focus of a video project. When you look at the history of Applied Behavior Analysis in Lawrence, Kansas, there is one clear storyline to explore: Baer, Wolf, & Risley.

But there's also the story of Ogden Lindsley et al., who developed Precision Teaching around the same time period as the development of the applied branch of the field. Precision Teaching was happening across the US, but with Og at the School of Medicine, it felt appropriate to explore the history of Precision Teaching and Ogden.**

There was one other storyline that I admittedly did not know the significance of, even after spending 15 years in the field and working hard to explore the depths of the science: Juniper Gardens Children's Project***. I have since learned that Juniper Gardens' story could be a multi-part series... The first article in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) was from the work of those at Juniper Gardens... and if you dig into not just JABA but all over the literature base, you'll find that there are thousands of publications from those at Juniper Gardens.

As such, Juniper Gardens plays a significant role in the course and film, which is they're really the first community-based application of behavior analysis. Four different analysts represent Juniper Gardens in the film and course, and I really hope that those who dive into what was created notice a few themes that they point out and demonstrate through their decades of implementation of behavior analytic technologies. I'll share more on all of these later, as I feel it may spoil some of the excitement for viewers, but one is worth pointing out:

The story, which is really the story of the development of the applied branch of the science is not about any particular behavior analytic technology. While so many in our field work in the area of supporting neurodivergent populations (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorders), that's not actually the story of Applied Behavior Analysis. That's why I used "ABA Therapy" at the beginning of this post and "Applied Behavior Analysis" separately. For whatever reason (likely many cumulative things) there are two worlds: one that is the perception of the field due to insurance mandates and the need of helping a population (aka "ABA Therapy") and the applied branch of the science of behavior analysis (aka "Applied Behavior Analysis.")

In The History of Applied Behavior Analysis: Part 1 - a free 3.5-hour film launching Friday, August 30th, 2024, the story of the development of "Applied Behavior Analysis" is explored. As such, the amount of time spent on other areas, such as "ABA Therapy," is limited. Why? It's not the story of "Applied Behavior Analysis." Are there mentions and themes? Of course!

The same can be said for the role of B. F. Skinner. The story of "Applied Behavior Analysis" is not that of B. F. Skinner. Does his work set the stage and even directly impact on the applied branch of the field? Of course! So you'll see him mentioned, and his science of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior is explored.****

So, there is the common perception of "ABA Therapy," and there is the natural science of behavior analysis and the extension of that science to socially significant behavior, which is "Applied Behavior Analysis." The latter is explored in The History of Applied Behavior Analysis: Part 1.

I hope you'll find time to pencil it in. The trailer releases simultaneously with the film at 12 AM Eastern tonight! Learn more at The History of Applied Behavior Analysis: Part 1

*It's worth noting also that this could be considered "A" History of Applied Behavior Analysis. I decided to stick with "The."

**The history of Precision Teaching is not the focus of this, but it plays a substantial role in the film. I would like to open that door later, if possible, in another part.

*** I had to expand to include Kansas City, as Juniper Gardens Children's Project is based there.

**** The history of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (EAB) is not the focus of this, but it plays a substantial role in the film. If possible, I would like to open that door later in another part.