It is the culmination of procedures which have been validated through a long history of empirical research. Replication studies are ongoing.
ABA utilizes punishment ABA utilizes child-oriented positive experiences to reinforce target skills.
The goal of ABA is to prevent the escalation of situations to an aversive level through the reinforcement of alternative behaviours. ABA is mechanistic ABA is systematic. At the entry level, many children with autism learn best through repeated practice to acquire target behaviours. As the program continues, children become increasingly more capable of incidental and observational learning in natural contexts. That is the goal of all ABA programs.