Resources Overview

Helpful Terms & Definitions

Common Terms & Acronyms Used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) & Special Education

AAC encompasses the various ways someone can communicate besides talking or verbal speech, including communication devices, systems, strategies, and tools. Augmentative means to add to someone’s speech. Alternative means to be used instead of speech. There are many types of AAC, including no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech. No-tech and low-tech AAC include gestures and facial expressions, writing, drawing, spelling words by pointing to letters, and pointing to photos, pictures, or written words. High-tech options include using an app on an iPad or tablet to communicate and using a computer with a “voice,” sometimes called a speech-generating device.

Many – but not all – of the students and clients that Birchtree serves use some form of AAC. You can learn more about the people our nonprofit serves here.

A branch of behavioral psychology in which a clinical approach is used to teach new behaviors and reduce unwanted, challenging behaviors. ABA is scientifically proven and supported by the use of data collection to monitor how a student is progressing. It is a flexible treatment that can be adapted to meet the needs of each individual.

More information about ABA is here and more information about Birchtree’s approach to ABA is here.

A comprehensive and individualized plan designed to address challenging behaviors by identifying the function of behavior, teaching positive replacement behaviors, implementing strategies to prevent and respond to behaviors, and monitoring progress over time. Behavior support plans (also known as Positive Behavior Support Plans or Behavior Plans) are essential tools in supporting individuals with autism or special needs in developing adaptive behaviors and achieving success in various environments.

To learn more about addressing challenging behaviors, click here. Behavior experts on Birchtree’s Outreach Team can develop PBS plans to support individuals with behavior challenges – learn more about our Outreach Program here.

Someone with a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. A BCBA works with individuals of all ages who have behavioral challenges. They use evidence-based techniques to help individuals improve their behavior by assessing, designing, implementing, and evaluating behavior interventions.

Through Birchtree’s Outreach Program, Board Certified Behavior Analysts provide applied behavior analysis (ABA) consultation and assessments for schools, agencies, families, and individuals. Birchtree’s staff includes BCBAs in our Outreach Program and BCBAs at our day school.

A structured teaching method used in applied behavior analysis (ABA) in which concepts are broken down into small, “discrete” components. It is used for teaching a variety of skills and consists of presenting a stimulus, requiring a specific response, and providing feedback on the correctness of the response. DTT sessions are characterized by repetition, structure, and consistency and have proven to be an effective method for teaching new skills.

More information about ABA is here and more information about Birchtree’s approach to ABA is here.

These are the mental skills that help one control and coordinate thoughts to learn, work, and manage daily life. These skills include planning, memory, organization, focus, managing time, initiating tasks, problem-solving, remembering, self-control, and practicing flexibility.

To learn more about supporting Executive Functioning Skills, click here.

The process of gathering information to understand and address challenging behaviors being exhibited by an individual. It involves gathering data and information through various methods, such as interviews, observations, and records in order to develop a hypothesis(es) about the function(s) of the behaviors. This information is then used to develop interventions to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of those behaviors.

To learn more about addressing challenging behaviors, click here. Behavior experts on Birchtree’s Outreach Team can conduct FBAs to support individuals with behavior challenges – learn more about our Outreach Program here.

A plan developed to ensure a student who has been determined eligible for special education services receives the specialized instruction and related services needed to meet their unique learning needs.

Many – but not all – of the students that Birchtree serves have an IEP. You can learn more about the people our nonprofit serves here.

A teaching methodology that incorporates the learner’s natural environment into the teaching, development, and generalization of skills. Naturalistic teaching can occur in a variety of settings, such as home, school, or the community, and is based on the principle that children learn best through their natural interests and routines. Naturalistic teaching strategies have been shown to be effective in promoting the development of communication skills, play skills, social interactions, and problem-solving abilities in learners.

Birchtree’s programs use naturalistic teaching methods whenever possible. More information about Birchtree’s educational and therapeutic approach is here.

A related service therapy focused on enhancing students’ functional abilities and independence in daily activities. Certified Occupational Therapists (OTs) assess students’ skills and develop individualized plans to improve sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, and self-care abilities such as dressing and feeding.

Birchtree’s staff includes OTs at our day school.

A therapeutic treatment that helps students manage symptoms from an injury or health condition affecting their movement. Certified Physical Therapists use a combination of exercises, stretches, and movements to increase strength, flexibility, and mobility to help students move safely and more efficiently.

Although Birchtree’s staff does not include any physical therapists, some of Birchtree’s day school students receive physical therapy consultation from physical therapists provided by the student’s sending school district. More information about Birchtree’s day school students is here.

A paraprofessional certification in behavior analysis. RBTs assist in delivering behavior-analytic services under the direction and close supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Through Birchtree’s Outreach services for schools and agencies, Registered Behavior Technicians provide applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to students attending their local public schools.

Birchtree’s staff members receive free training and certification to become Registered Behavior Technicians. More information about staff benefits is here.

One of the most important and widely used principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Reinforcement occurs when a behavior increases in the future due to a consequence of either adding or taking something away from the environment. Reinforcement is often used to help a student complete a task or to motivate them to engage in certain desirable behaviors.

More information about ABA is here and more information about Birchtree’s approach to ABA is here.

The scientific study of speech, fluency, feeding and swallowing, and all the mechanisms of speech and language, along with the therapeutic application of corrective and augmentative measures to help people with speech disorders speak and communicate better. Certified Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) provide related services to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. SLPs also provide aural rehabilitation for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and they support the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems.

Birchtree’s staff includes Speech-Language Pathologists at our day school.

The evolution from being a young adult receiving school-based special education services to an adult who is no longer eligible for special education services. Planning for transition to adulthood begins in the school year in which a student turns 14 years old. The transition plan, which is part of a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), is developed by the student’s educational team and includes goals based on the student’s unique strengths, interests, and preferences, and the services needed to assist the student in achieving their transition goals.