You may have heard your child’s BCBA or RBT say something like, “Let’s be sure he can generalize this skill to Mom/Dad in the community.” And you may be thinking “Okay, but how exactly does that happen?” Let’s get into it!

Generalization refers to learned behavior occurring in different settings, with different people, and under different circumstances. When a behavior is generalized, it means that the individual has learned to respond consistently to a range of stimuli, not just the specific ones that were present during initial training. For example, if our short-term goal is to teach a child to greet their behavior technician (or RBT) when they enter the home, our long-term goals might include teaching the child to “generalize” this skill to greeting peers at the playground, or their extended family members at a holiday gathering.

To promote generalization, your BCBA and RBT will likely teach the skill in a variety of situations and environments, varying the people who provide instruction, and gradually fading the prompts used during training. At Ovation, we place an emphasis on natural environment teaching (NET) so your team will set up opportunities for the child to use their new skill in their daily life and provide individualized reinforcement for doing so.

Generalization is important because it increases the likelihood that the individual will be able to use the skill in real-world situations. It also reduces the need for constant training and reinforcement, as the behavior becomes more automatic and self-sustaining. However, it often requires specific training and ongoing support which is why family involvement in the ABA process is critical.

Generalization helps individuals achieve greater independence and success in their daily lives. By teaching skills that are applicable across a range of situations, your ABA team can help your child build a strong foundation for long-term success.

If you’re interested in exploring whether or not ABA services might be a good fit for your family, check out our services at Ovation, or reach out to us to chat!

As a reminder, the suggestions outlined in this blog are not individual-specific. Always refer to your child’s health and behavior specialists before implementing any new programming.