Applied Behavior Analysis, Signed!
When I was first introduced to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), I had a really hard time understanding the terminology. It was difficult for me to find accurate translations of these words into American Sign Language, which made it difficult for my interpreters. In fact, I even failed my first test in grad school because the way the interpreters had signed the content was not the way it was meant. I managed to make it through grad school and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, but I began noticing that I didn’t have the vocabulary to talk about ABA with caregivers or with behavior technicians. More than not having the vocabulary… it simply didn’t exist. I realized that there needed to be a better way for Deaf people to learn and understand ABA, so I started creating my own signs to fit the ABA field.
But I knew I couldn’t simply hold onto that information for myself– and that’s where this video dictionary comes in handy. Additionally, this product is an evolving document– we will continue to update it with more terms as needed. If there’s something you sign differently or something that you don’t see here, please let me know so I can add it! There’s a form for that in the next lesson. As the video dictionary continues to grow, I plan to include your standard textbook definition, an every day language definition, and examples of what this looks like in the real world.
