What is Behavioral Activation?

Applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) uses a wide variety of strategies and approaches to teach children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) new skills. It also addresses behaviors, helping them modify current behaviors that may be negative and/or harmful.

Some of these strategies were created specifically for ABA therapy, while others have therapeutic application to other fields of study.

One such approach is called behavioral activation (BA).

This therapeutic approach is often used to treat people with anxiety and depression. It seeks to get to the root of avoidance behaviors, and help patients engage in activities that could improve their symptoms.

Since individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also commonly suffer from anxiety and depression, BA is often used as part of ABA therapy.

We’ll dive deeper into what behavioral activation is in this article, as well as how it’s used in ABA therapy.

Key Takeaways

• Behavioral Activation (BA) helps reduce anxiety and depression by increasing activity engagement.
• It is built on the idea that positive behavior leads to improved emotional well-being.
• In ABA therapy, BA is used to help children with ASD re-engage in avoided or once-enjoyed activities.
• Therapists use positive reinforcement to motivate and sustain new behaviors.
• Plans are individualized and implemented in manageable steps to avoid overwhelming the child.

Table Of Contents

What is Behavioral Activation?

Behavioral activation is a therapeutic approach that focuses on getting kids who are suffering from depression to engage in activities, even if they don’t want to do them. The idea is that doing so will improve their overall mood.

BA is based on scientific research that has shown when people engage in an activity that generates a positive feeling for them, then they become reinforcing intrinsically. In other words, engaging in such an activity will inspire them to engage in that activity and other similar activities more.

As a result of engaging in these activities, children experience more positive feelings, which leads to them reducing their feelings of depression.

BA can also work for children who are suffering from anxiety. The foundation is the same, though the approach is slightly different.

When children suffer from anxiety, they typically avoid certain situations that make them feel anxious. BA will work to break down those barriers by slowly exposing the children to these situations in a safe and controlled environment, helping them overcome their fears.

How Does Behavioral Activation Work?

What BA is trying to treat (either depression or anxiety) will determine what approach the therapist will take.

One is called Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression, or BATD.

In this shorter version of BA, the therapist starts by identifying what the child values. Goals are then based on the things that matter most to that child.

The other type is called Functional Behavioral Analysis, or FBA.

This approach begins by identifying things that the child is avoiding. It could include things that they have to do, such as going to school, or it could be engaging in activities that they once enjoyed but now avoid.

In FBA, therapists need to identify the antecedent (or what happens before the behavior), as well as any actions that might be reinforcing the behavior. If the child throws a tantrum when they have to get ready for school and their mother comes and comforts them, the reinforcer could be their mother’s presence, for instance.

With this information in hand, therapists can develop a plan to help change the behaviors.

How is BA Implemented in ABA Therapy?

In ABA therapy, therapists will work with their patients to identify the activities they are currently avoiding. Again, these could be activities that are causing anxiety or activities that used to be enjoyable but aren’t any longer.

Next, the therapist will create a schedule that builds these activities into a daily routine. Of course, this will be done gradually so as not to cause the child to feel overwhelmed and stressed.

Just like other aspects of ABA therapy, BA will involve implementation in small and manageable steps. Once the child is able to feel comfortable doing one task, they will then move onto the next step of the process with the therapist.

Every time the child successfully completes a step in one of these activities, the therapist will use positive reinforcement to reward them. This can be time with a toy they love, extra praise or tokens that can be exchanged later.

This positive reinforcement serves as motivation for them to continue attempting and completing the steps of the tasks, building momentum in the process.

Blue Gems ABA Uses Behavioral Activation to Support Children with ASD

The goal of behavioral activation in ABA therapy is to disrupt any negative cycles that have emerged that result in the child avoiding certain situations. Through it, individuals can learn that by taking actions, they can actually improve their overall mood, even if they don’t receive instant relief from it.

At Blue Gems ABA, BA is one of the many strategies we use to help support the children we serve. All of our ABA therapy treatment plans are crafted with each individual child’s unique strengths, challenges, preferences and needs in mind, which helps them to be more successful.

To learn more, please contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Behavioral Activation (BA)?
  A therapy approach that encourages activity engagement to improve mood and reduce avoidance.
• How does BA help children with autism?
  It helps them re-engage with activities they avoid due to anxiety or low motivation.
• Is BA only for depression?
  No, it’s also effective for treating anxiety and avoidance behaviors in children with ASD.
• How is BA integrated into ABA?
  Therapists use gradual steps, reinforcement, and personalized goals to implement BA within ABA sessions.
• Does BA involve punishment?
  No, it focuses on positive reinforcement and encouragement.