Understanding ABA Terms & Acronyms
Beginning ABA services often means learning a new language. You may hear your child’s treatment team use acronyms and clinical terms that are unfamiliar at first. This glossary explains many of the most common terms used in autism services, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), healthcare, and special education to help you feel more informed and confident throughout your child’s journey.
Common ABA & Autism Acronyms
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AAC | Augmentative and Alternative Communication |
| ABA | Applied Behavior Analysis |
| ABC | Autism Behavior Checklist |
| ABI | Adaptive Behavior Inventory |
| ABLLS-R | Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills – Revised |
| ADA | Americans with Disabilities Act |
| ADD | Attention Deficit Disorder |
| ADHD | Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder |
| ADI-R | Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised |
| ADOS-2 | Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition |
| ASD | Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| ASL | American Sign Language |
| BCaBA | Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst |
| BCBA | Board Certified Behavior Analyst |
| BIP | Behavior Intervention Plan |
| CARS-2 | Childhood Autism Rating Scale |
| CE | Continuing Education |
| DD | Developmental Disability |
| DTT | Discrete Trial Training |
| EIBI | Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention |
| FAPE | Free Appropriate Public Education |
| FBA | Functional Behavior Assessment |
| FCT | Functional Communication Training |
| FERPA | Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act |
| HIPAA | Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act |
| IDEA | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
| IEP | Individualized Education Program |
| IFSP | Individualized Family Service Plan |
| IOA | Interobserver Agreement |
| LBA | Licensed Behavior Analyst |
| LABA | Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst |
| LRE | Least Restrictive Environment |
| NET | Natural Environment Teaching |
| OT | Occupational Therapy |
| PECS | Picture Exchange Communication System |
| PHI | Protected Health Information |
| PICA | Persistent eating of non-food items |
| PRT | Pivotal Response Treatment |
| PT | Physical Therapy |
| QASP-S | Qualified Autism Services Practitioner – Supervisor |
| RBT | Registered Behavior Technician |
| RIT | Reciprocal Imitation Training |
| SIB | Self-Injurious Behavior |
| SLP | Speech-Language Pathologist |
| SLPA | Speech-Language Pathology Assistant |
| VB | Verbal Behavior |
Key ABA Teaching Strategies
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based approach that helps children develop meaningful skills while improving communication, social interaction, independence, emotional regulation, and daily living skills. Treatment is individualized and designed around each child’s strengths, needs, and goals.
Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
Discrete Trial Training is a structured teaching method that breaks complex skills into smaller, manageable steps. Skills are taught systematically with repeated learning opportunities, positive reinforcement, and ongoing data collection to monitor progress.
Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
Natural Environment Teaching uses a child’s interests, daily routines, and play activities to teach skills in real-life situations. Learning occurs naturally during meaningful interactions, helping children generalize skills across environments.
Functional Communication Training (FCT)
Functional Communication Training teaches children effective ways to communicate their wants, needs, thoughts, and feelings. By replacing challenging behaviors with appropriate communication skills, children learn safer and more effective ways to interact with others.
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT)
Pivotal Response Treatment is a play-based, child-led intervention that focuses on increasing motivation, communication, self-initiation, and social engagement. Rather than teaching isolated skills, PRT targets pivotal developmental areas that promote broad improvements across many aspects of learning.
Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT)
Reciprocal Imitation Training is a naturalistic intervention that teaches imitation through play and shared social interactions. By encouraging children to imitate and respond to others during play, RIT supports language development, social communication, and engagement.
Verbal Behavior (VB)
Verbal Behavior is an instructional approach based on the principles of ABA that teaches language according to its purpose. Children learn to use communication to request, ask questions, comment, respond to others, and engage in meaningful conversations rather than simply labeling objects.
We’re Here to Help
Learning the language of autism services and ABA can feel overwhelming at first—but you don’t have to learn it alone. Our team is committed to helping families understand every step of the process, answer questions, and provide the education and support needed to make informed decisions about their child’s care.
At LEAPS, we believe informed families become empowered partners in their child’s success.