What is applied behavior analysis?

“The science in which tactics derived from the principles of behavior are applied to improve socially significant behavior and experimentation is used to identify the variables responsible for the improvement in behavior.”

Cooper, J.O., Heron, T.E., & Heward, W.L. (2007) Applied Behavior Analysis (2nd Ed.) Upper Saddle, River, NJ: Pearson Edition

What does this mean?

The teaching strategies used in applied behavior analysis therapy have proven to be effective based on research. It also means that the skills targeted for acquisition are carefully selected to be individualized and meaningful for each child.