07/26/2025
What do “positive” and “negative” mean in ABA?
In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), positive and negative don’t mean good or bad. They describe whether something is added or taken away from the environment.
✨ Positive means something is added.
Example: A child finishes their homework, and the teacher gives them a gold star or a high five. That reward is added, which can encourage the child to finish their homework again next time.
âž– Negative means something is taken away.
Example: A child finds math difficult. They raise their hand and say, “May I have a break?” The teacher agrees, and the child gets a short break. That break removes the hard task for a bit, which might increase the chances they’ll ask appropriately for a break in the future.
💡 Both are ways of increasing helpful behaviors—just through different methods!
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