What is Shaping in ABA Therapy?
In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, shaping is a teaching method that involves reinforcing successive approximations of a target behavior. The shaping technique:
- Helps individuals gradually learn complex or unfamiliar behaviors by breaking them down into manageable steps.
- Instead of waiting for the exact behavior to occur, shaping rewards closer and closer attempts toward the final goal.
Shaping is commonly used in ABA therapy with children with autism to teach new skills that may not yet be in their behavioral repertoire. It is especially effective when a child cannot yet perform the full behavior but can engage in similar or related actions.
For example, if the goal is to teach a child to say “water,” a Behavior Technician may first reinforce any vocalization, then reinforce the “wuh” sound, then “wah-tuh,” and finally the full word “water.”
According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), shaping is part of a broader strategy of reinforcement-based teaching used by credentialed professionals in ABA therapy.
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Examples of Shaping in ABA Therapy
Example 1: Teaching Handwashing
A Behavior Technician may use shaping to teach a child to wash their hands independently. Initially, the child is praised and reinforced for turning on the faucet. Then, the next step is reinforced: turning on the faucet and putting hands under water. Gradually, all steps are added and shaped into a full handwashing routine.
Example 2: Expanding Vocal Language
A non-speaking child who begins to make vowel sounds can be encouraged through shaping to use consonant-vowel combinations, then single words, and eventually short phrases. Reinforcement is delivered each time the child’s speech gets closer to the target phrase.
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FAQs About Shaping in ABA Therapy
What is shaping in ABA?
Shaping is a method of teaching where reinforcement is given for behaviors that gradually resemble the desired behavior. It’s used to build new behaviors by reinforcing approximations.
How does shaping differ from prompting?
Prompting involves giving assistance or cues to encourage a behavior, while shaping relies on reinforcing voluntary actions that are increasingly close to the target behavior.
When is shaping used in ABA therapy?
Shaping is used when a child is not currently exhibiting the desired behavior and needs to learn it through small, incremental steps. It’s often used to teach communication, self-help, or social skills.
What types of behaviors can be shaped?
A wide range of behaviors can be shaped, including speech sounds, self-care routines, academic skills, social interactions, and replacement behaviors for interfering or interrupting behaviors.
Is shaping used with reinforcement only?
Yes, shaping is a reinforcement-based strategy. Only behaviors that approximate the end goal are reinforced, and as the child improves, the reinforcement criteria become more specific.
Key Takeaways: Shaping in ABA Therapy
- Shaping is used to teach new behaviors by reinforcing closer approximations to the goal behavior.
- It’s commonly used in ABA therapy to help children with autism learn communication, social, and daily living skills.
- The process is step-by-step and allows children to progress at their own pace.
- Shaping differs from prompting and is driven by the child’s behavior, not Behavior Technician cues.
- Reinforcement is the core technique used in shaping.
