Applied Behavior Analysis Technician (ABAT) Course

ABAT101 - Autism Core Knowledge

The unit gives an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), focusing on common characteristics of ASD, terminologies associated with diagnosis, common differential diagnoses and co-morbidity, as well as core areas of functional impact.

Students will gain an understanding of ASD, and also the perspective to integrate autistic strengths when working with clients.

ABAT102 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional Considerations

The unit introduces legal, ethical, and professional considerations within the context of ABA. The unit focuses on QABA Code of Ethics to guide the scope of ABAT professional practice.

Students will be able to define the role and scope of practice of a ABAT, and gain an overview of relevant legislations. Students will also learn to seek guidance and supervision when facing ethical dilemma.

ABAT103 - Core Principles of ABA

The unit introduces fundamental components involved in the scientific discipline of behavior analysis. The unit focuses on basic concepts to distinguish between respondent and operant behavior, and how basic environmental conditioning processes influence each type of behavior.

Students will gain an understanding of core concepts and principles of behavior analysis, including reinforcement, punishment, extinction.

ABAT104 – Antecedent Interventions

The unit applies core principles of ABA to increase behaviors that are socially valid. The unit focuses on using common antecedent interventions to increase socially valid behaviors.

Students will gain an understanding of various antecedent interventions, and working knowledge to apply antecedent interventions to meet intervention goals.

ABAT105 – Skill Acquisition Programming

The unit explores fundamental evidence-based behavior techniques, such as discrete trial teaching (DTT), shaping, chaining, and natural environment teaching (NET). The unit also focuses on promoting maintenance and generalization of skills.

Students will learn to use various behaviour techniques to meet learner goals.

ABAT106 – Behavior Reduction Interventions

The unit introduces the concept of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) to assess functions of behaviors of concern.

Students will learn to follow a function-based Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) to reduce behaviors of concern, and ethical issues related to behaviour reduction interventions.

ABAT107 – Data Collection and Analysis

The unit introduces concepts of behaviour measurement, various behaviour assessment methods, reliability and validity of behavior data, and Inter-observer Agreement (IOA). The unit also introduces commonly used assessments in ABA, such as preference assessment, environmental evaluation.

Students will learn to use behaviour measurement methods to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, identify and analyze graphic displays of data. Students will also learn to conduct commonly used assessments, such as preference assessment.