Evidence-Base for ABA and PBS
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Positive Behavior Support (PBS) share the similar research foundations across practices. Both practices emphasize the importance of using research to drive planning processes for supporting people. Research used by both ABA and PBS have been refined for decades. PBS encourages integrating only positive supports that have been proven to be valid.
You can used the following resources to learn more about research supporting ABA and PBS interventions.
- National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice concluded in their 2020 report that 28 unique practices meet criteria for classification as “evidence-based (such as antecedent interventions to prevent challenging behavior and support positive behavior, differential reinforcement, prompting, and task analysis of complex skills)
- Learning modules based on these identified practices were then developed (the AFIRM modules), designed for practitioners and families supporting people with ASD through age 22.
- What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), identifies effective practices for educational settings and lists function-based interventions.
- Reducing Behavior Problems in the Classroom provides information about validated research for younger children from the What Works Clearinghouse.
Many approaches that are used by ABA and PBS practitioners are so fundamental that they are considered “building blocks” for other approaches and not likely to be mentioned in formal reviews or clearinghouses. These fundamental, irreducible elements have been referred to as “kernels.” The article by Embry and Biglan called Evidence-based Kernels: Fundamental Units of Behavioral Influence provides helpful details. These “kernels”can include elements of a larger empirically-supported practice. Examples of “kernels include shaping and chaining, specific types of reinforcement such as verbal praise, and the basic concept of motivating operations.
Links
- What Works Clearinghouse (external web page)
- Slocum and Colleagues (2014) paper (external web page)
- National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice (external web page)
- Embry & Biglan (2008) paper (external web page)
- APBS Evidence-Based Practices (external web page)
- AFIRM Modules (external web page)