04/17/2026
Thanks to , our director gave a talk on how ABA shows up far beyond autism. Learn more ⬇
Although ABA is predominantly used in therapy for children with autism, it’s also all around us in the way we talk, eat, socialize, work, study, and date.
Our director, Jese, spoke about important aspects of ABA, such as:
- Respondent behaviour (our natural reflexive behaviours) vs. Operant behaviour (behaviours we learn over time)
- Functions of behaviour (why we do what we do)
- Reinforcement (consequences that increase behaviour), punishment (consequences that decrease behaviour), and extinction (when consequences are withheld)
- Motivating operations (how something loses or gains value as a reinforcer)
The audience learned how to take these concepts and apply them to relationships, work, and self-care/exercise. Here were some key takeaways:
- Relationships are a SKILL. Being a good friend or partner is not something we are naturally born with. It takes time, practice, and is shaped by consequences. Putting yourself out there, making friends, and dating can help improve this operant behaviour.
- Be wary of the “ick” and “toxic push-pull” relationships. These are motivating operations at work. You may feel the “ick” when someone is overly available (satiation), decreasing their value as a reinforcer. On the other hand, someone who is “hard to get” may be using intermittent reinforcement, where deprivation increases their value. This is why gambling can be so addictive! Do you like them because of who they are? Or is it the motivating operations that make you want them more?
- Identify the function (reason) of your behaviour and others’. Functions of behaviour reflect Attachment Styles (e.g., Avoidant Attachment = Escape Function). These can be highly influenced by our history of reinforcement. But, identifying these patterns can help you find appropriate replacement behaviours to better communicate your needs.
- Be aware of stimulus control! Don’t study in your bedroom!! Your bedroom has stimulus control over your sleeping behaviour, not productive behaviour. Study or do work in an environment that would enhance your productivity.
- Struggling to start or maintain a habit? Complete the initial steps of the chain in advance or the night before (e.g., lay out your gym clothes and equipment by your door to make it easier to head to the gym in the morning).
- Use schedules of reinforcement! Reinforcement is the most effective way to maintain and increase desired behaviours. Create a schedule of reinforcement that works best to help you meet your goals (e.g., movie time after 10 minutes of studying, sweet treat after effective use of coping tools).
Overall, it was a fun reminder that a lot of what we call “life skills” is really just behaviour science in disguise… basically, we’re all just out here getting reinforced and trying our best to adult without a manual. 😅
