Top Applied Behavior Analysis Quotes

Written Originally for the publisher Wiley’s client: https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisedu.org/

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is also known as behavioral engineering because its goal is to systematically change behavior through empirical approaches to reconditioning behavioral habits. 

That means applied behavior analysis is an intrinsically uplifting pursuit. 

It is one of the most effective treatments for behavioral disorders. ABA helps clients increase helpful behaviors and decrease behaviors that aren’t through methods that limit the number of stress patients experiences while undergoing critical behavioral changes. 

ABA does this through various techniques. For example, positive reinforcement is used so that positive behavior is rewarded. Likewise, clients are taught their A-B-Cs –antecedent, behavior, and consequence. 

In other words, they are taught to understand the sequence of events that occurs whenever they act. ABA therapists will tailor the lessons and therapy individually in each case because behavioral health is a highly case-by-case-dependent scenario when applying specific treatment methods. 

Being an applied behavior analyst requires extensive training –in many cases, it requires an equivalent of a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. While wisdom will undoubtedly come from such activity and the experience from the job that will follow it, there’s always more to be gained. 

Wisdom is at the core of what it means to be an applied behavior analyst. One must view clients as individuals with unique needs and not unwisely assume all clients are similar enough to be given identical modes of treatment. 

Likewise, because of the highly emotional nature of ABA, burnout can become a significant issue if one isn’t self-conscious –a form of wisdom. 

Perhaps the number one form of wisdom ABA therapists share is viewing their clients as unique individuals with unique needs, which require highly unique solutions. 

Here are the top 8 applied behavior analysis quotes:

“Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.” –B.F. Skinner.

Skinner is a psychologist most famous for experimenting with pigeons and understanding the mechanics of positive reinforcement. 

Our educational system often fails autistic students. It conditions them into conforming to behaviors they aren’t well-suited to. Likewise, they are often ostracized when such conditioning fails.

When it works, however, many clients will feel disillusioned because they aren’t their true selves. Instead, they are self-conscious of their feelings of inauthenticity.

Of the ABA therapy quotes, Skinner represents the need for ABA therapists to dig into the educational pasts of their clients, which may have concealed a true identity with the tarp of trauma.

Having an explicit understanding of this –and that such conditioning isn’t one’s fault– is the first step to education, as Skinner so wisely notes. 

“Autism…offers us a chance to glimpse an awe-filled vision of the world that would otherwise pass us by.” –Dr. Colin Zimbleman

Among the ABA therapy quotes here, Zimbleman does the most to show that autism isn’t necessarily a disorder or a disease. More accurately, autism is a form of neurodiversity. 

A good reason to believe this difference is that autism’s “symptoms” are often highly beneficial for those with autism. 

For example, when compared to neurotypical coworkers, autistic workers often outperform them by considerable degrees when tasked with the same itinerary of work.

Autistic individuals are often highly creative, compassionate, and intelligent. We all should embrace our differences instead of fear because it is a gift the world can benefit from. 

“When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.” –Alexander Den Heijer. 

Especially in the case of young children and adolescents, if there are behavioral problems, one doesn’t need to look far to find the source. 

The environment we are raised in and where we currently live play massive roles in our psychological development and well-being. 

Children in abusive homes or violent schooling environments are much more likely to develop behavioral problems than those who don’t. 

Removing oneself from a toxic environment is often all it takes to get one’s behavior in order. For some, this might mean going off to college; for others, it might mean enlisting in the military or working a trade. 

Removing oneself from harmful environments will result in a more effortless ability to focus on oneself enough to see the damage of negative behavioral habits on one's life. 

Toxic environments cloud our vision, and only when we remove ourselves from them can we see reality –most importantly, the truth of ourselves. 

“What is often deemed practical is mindless, and what is mindful is often deemed impractical.” –Karl Marx.

Social norms in modern industrial life often view artistic and intellectual pursuits as a “waste of time” because they aren’t paths that are likely to be financially lucrative. 
Autistic people often see finances as inconsequential compared to their creative pursuits. As a result, they are even willing to place it above their practical needs. 

Society shouldn’t leave creative individuals with no means of subsistence –and it is essential to note that social norms (culture) does this.

It isn’t an autistic person’s fault that the only activity they want to participate in isn’t a cash cow. It’s society's fault that cash cows are highly valued above art and other intellectual pursuits! 

Therapists should encourage patients to pursue these creative and intellectual paths while finding a way to scrape together enough money to fulfill basic needs. 

It will be challenging, but patients should know this isn’t any fault of their own. “Laziness” is propaganda that guilts autistic individuals into living miserable lives without their favorite activity. 

“What doesn't kill me makes me stronger.” –Friedrich Nietzsche 

Of these ABA therapy quotes, Nietzsche’s is the one with the most personal applicability for therapists themselves. 

ABA therapists are tasked with reengineering behaviorally problematic individuals, which is a stressful career.

Sometimes, the stress might even feel like too much. But heed Nietzsche’s words because rolling with the punches in this line of work will benefit your client’s well-being. 

However, suppose burnout is feeling like too much. In that case, another way of approaching Nietzsche’s quote is by getting stronger through rest –it doesn't kill you to take days off now and then to recharge! 

“Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” –Frank Zappa 

Individuals with behavioral health problems –especially those with autism– report being treated unfairly and cruelly for being different. 

Autistic people tend to become fixated on a highly particularized mode of inquiry because that gives them life satisfaction. However, because others tend not to understand this level of obsession, autistic people are socially alienated simply for having found their activity. 

No one should feel shame or alienation over being obsessed with some activity. Just because someone behaves differently than most others does not mean their behavior is terrible.

As Zappa’s inspirational quote points out, without such obsessed people, innovation cannot occur. 

“A person who has been punished is not simply less inclined to behave in a given way; at best, he learns how to avoid punishment.” –B.F. Skinner.

Nietzche agrees with Skinner that “punishment emboldens the criminal.” In other words, if you want someone misbehaving to behave that way even more, you should punish them. 

In other words, do not punish people! Rehabilitation is productive, not punishment.

Skinner’s ABA therapy quotes here recognize that pathology derives from being the recipient of punishment as a result of behavioral health issues.

That is why ABA therapists do not punish their clients and do not encourage parents to do so either. 

“I am who I am. Not who you think I am. Not who you want me to be. I am me. –Brigitte Nicole

Nicole’s ABA therapy quotes define what successful treatment looks like. It is akin to the peak of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs –self-actualization. 

Psychologically speaking, we’re all radically different from one another but have only been conditioned to view those with behavioral problems as “different.

This social conditioning is unfair and undoubtedly contributes to adverse mental health outcomes. Ideally, as a society, we should see to it what these norms are.

Such conditioning is a reality many behavioral health patients will need to accept if they progress in treatment, as “progress” in therapy is constituted by self-acceptance. 

Ultimately, how others feel about you does not matter because they are radically different from you. 

Becoming an Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist 

These ABA therapy quotes are applicable for both clinicians and patients alike because, in ABA therapy, the need for wisdom goes both ways.

To overcome negative behavioral habits, patients must receive wisdom. And to acquire it, one needs to engage in dialogue with a wise person.

The more an ABA therapist can internalize these ABA therapy quotes, the more capable they will be of serving as the wise person a patient gets wisdom from.

However, another reason ABA therapists need wisdom is that it shields them from the stress of a job full of profound responsibilities that are often stressful.

Are you looking to become an applied behavior analysis therapist? Click here to learn more about ABA therapy as a career path!