How ABA Therapy Measures Behavior

Reliable measurement requires that behaviors are defined objectively. Vague terms such as anger, depression, aggression or tantrums are redefined in observable and quantifiable terms, so their frequency, duration or other measurable properties can be directly recorded (Sulzer-Azaroff & Mayer, 1991). For example, a goal to reduce a child’s aggressive behavior might define “aggression” as: “attempts, episodes or occurrences (each separated by 10 seconds) of biting, scratching, pinching or pulling hair.” “Initiating social interaction with peers” might be defined as: “looking at a classmate and verbalizing an appropriate greeting.”


This process includes the following components:

  • selection of interfering behavior or behavioral skill deficit
  • identification of goals and objectives
  • establishment of a method of measuring target behaviors
  • evaluation of the current levels of performance (baseline)
