Course Overview
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is currently identified as the science and set of methodologies which are related to the application of the principles of behaviourism to real world setting(s) with the aim(s) of improving socially significant behaviour.
Furthermore, ABA courses involve the systematic analysis of behaviour to reveal behavioural functions which in turn may be used to inform and/or formulate intervention strategies that are evidence based. ABA courses have potential applications across a wide spectrum of areas and sectors in today’s society and culture stretching from business to healthcare.
Consequently, this course has potential applications across a wide spectrum of areas and sectors in today’s society and culture stretching from business to healthcare.
Contemporary professional contexts and the recognition of the role and contribution which ABA offers focus on the primary area in which ABA has been most successful. This is recognised specifically in the work associated with Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) in which ABA has had significant success.
This course is therefore aimed at providing students/learners with a clear critical, analytic, and evaluative understanding and solid foundation of contemporary knowledge in behavioural theory and practice and the principles underpinning the subject area.
ABA Course Aims
The aims of the Applied Behavioural Analysis course is to:
- Provide students with a critical foundation in, and comprehension and understanding of, the principles; theories; contexts; ethical contexts; exemplars, and practical applications of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
- Enable students to critically identify, describe, model, and design options for the application of behavioural interventions to both decrease and increase behaviour as necessary.
- Support students in developing their abilities to identify, analyse, evaluate, describe and determine the function of a “challenging behaviour” and its contexts.
- Provide students with a clear body of relevant current knowledge; terminology; information; academic and practical sources; clarity in the use of communication; and examples of evidence, in order that they may develop their skills, and their use and application of these as they relate to ABA activities and practices.
- Train students to enable them to attain a level of competency in order for them to be able
(i) carry out simple skills and teaching procedures used within ABA;
(ii) identify and describe potential behavioural functions;
(iii) operate within the professional sphere as “ABA tutors” who are able to work under the supervision of a senior behavioural analyst.
Course Modules
Definitions, Characteristics and Basic Principles
- Origins of ABA
- Basic principles
Selection, Defining and Measuring Behaviour
- Selecting socially significant behaviour
- Measurement systems
Behavioural Assessment
- Functional behaviour assessment (FBA)
- Descriptive assessment
- Functional analysis
Behavioural Intervention, Measurement and Evaluation
- Discrete trial training
- Natural environment teaching
- Functional communication training (FCT)
- Dealing with challenging behaviour
- Behavioural technologies
- Displaying data
- Interpreting data
* Topics are subjects to change without notice
Course Award
City Colleges Diploma
Assessments/Examinations
A pass grade on the written assignment will be required for awarding the Diploma.
A written assignment of 2,500 is the assessment requirement for this diploma.
The assignment/project must be handed in on the due date unless a sound reason for lateness is provided. In such instances, an extension may be awarded at the discretion of the lecturer.
Lecturer

Caroline Wheeler completed a BA in Psychology at National University of Maynooth, and an MSc in Applied Psychology at Trinity College Dublin. She is currently completing a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at Trinity College Dublin.
Caroline has over 8 years of work across the lifespan in a variety of services; including Intellectual Disability Services, ABA schools, and Mental Health Services. She has worked within the Research Motor Neurone (RMN) team based in Trinity College Dublin, where she explored psychological interventions in addressing the significant and complex mental health needs of caregivers of people with ALS.
Caroline is a reflective practitioner, who is passionate about supporting clients in developing their personal potential through using interventions grounded in the humanistic perspective.
Testimonials
I never took online classes before and was initially skeptical about how this would work. The lecturer has an excellent method of teaching and willing to answer questions related to our every day experiences with ASD kids. He has excellent approach to all students and issues that arise, questions that being asked. I already started implementing everything I had learned from him with a great result, as well as teaching the parents how to approach certain issues with their kids. He is using a lot of technical words, yet he is able to reach all of us explaining the meanings behind it as well as offering every day life examples to each and every terms. I would highly recommend this class to anyone I know, as I already mentioned it to many parents whose kids I teach. Furthermore Dr Lyons gets back to students in a timely manner with all questions asked through email. I am very happy taking this class as he make it easy for me to learn and understand the course.
I just completed a Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis with City Colleges. I was unable to travel so completed it online. The course was brilliant. The tutor was very informative and constructive. It was well timed and well paced with a lot of time given for interaction and participation. If I had any queries in relation to IT or admin the staff were very forthcoming and helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and will endeavour to undertake more in the future. I would highly recommend both the course and the college for any student wishing to further their education.
I’ve just completed this course, and I have to say I learned so much from it, it gave me a better understanding of all the jargon I would sometimes hear my home tutor saying, I now find myself talking in the same jargon! If you want a better understanding of ABA this is your course! Keith is even nice enough to break it down into broken English for the parents who are finding it hard to understand. Sad the course is over I truly enjoyed it.
Keith is very informative and makes the subject very interesting. He is very approachable.
Keith layers his explanations very well. He breaks down each segment of the lecture in an understandable manner and then pieces it all together in a way that’s easy to follow. I have found his lectures very informative.
Keith is very knowledgeable in this topic and has helped me widen my understanding and knowledge in ABA. The College provides quality training and teaching.
Enquire
- Fully Online
- Pre-recorded
- Suit your own schedule
- Live & fully online
- Archived for review
- City centre location
- Fully interactive
- Limited class sizes
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