Question
Answer and Explanation
In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), "attending" refers to the behavior of focusing on and engaging with relevant stimuli in the environment. This could mean looking at a therapist during instruction, listening to verbal cues, or maintaining focus on a task or activity. Attending is a crucial prerequisite for learning and skill acquisition in ABA therapy.
Effective attending isn't just about physical presence; it involves a learner actively participating and processing information. It includes components like maintaining eye contact, orienting the body towards the source of instruction or activity, and reducing distractions. Therapists often use prompts and reinforcement to encourage and maintain appropriate attending behavior. Poor attending can hinder progress, making interventions designed to improve this skill vital to the success of ABA programs.
Developing attending skills is essential for individuals with developmental differences, as it supports more effective learning across various contexts. By systematically teaching and reinforcing attending behaviors, ABA therapy helps learners engage more fully with their surroundings and benefit more from the learning opportunities presented to them.