Applied Behavior Analysis in the Classroom Applied Behavior Analysis: A Valuable Partner in Special Education

My early years as a special educator comprised some of the best years of my life. I reveled in getting to know my students and their families and in the constant barrage of opportunities to learn more about my teaching practice and ultimately, myself. These years were also difficult; some days seemed tantamount to a Himalayan trek or a push through an endless jungle. I often found myself lost amid the demands of supporting my students' complex needs, erratically wielding the few tools my teacher preparation program had given me. I struggled with an increasing dread of incompetence, perplexed in why some students were not making the progress I had hoped and why I could not prevent my students from engaging in behaviors that were potentially harmful and stigmatizing. Often, I found myself against the ropes, that is, until I found applied behavior analysis (ABA).