If a child learns to say "Hi" to you in the therapy room, but ignores their teacher at school, have they really learned the skill? No.

The goal of ABA is not to perform tricks in a clinic. The goal is to function in the real world. This lesson covers Generalization (taking skills to new places) and Maintenance (keeping skills forever).

Executive Summary

This video highlights the two most important phases of learning: Generalization and Maintenance. It uses the example of "Susie," who knew her name at home but not at school, to illustrate the failure of generalization. It emphasizes that skills must be practiced across different people, settings, and stimuli to be truly mastered.

⏱️ Video Timeline

00:00

The Problem
Learning a skill in one setting does not guarantee performance in another setting.

00:40

Generalization Defined
Performing a taught skill with different people, different stimuli (materials), or in different settings.

01:13

Maintenance Defined
Keeping the skill over time, long after the formal teaching has stopped.

01:49

How It's Done
Once mastery is met with the therapist, move to the "Generalization Phase." Example: Johnny practices safety in the backyard, then the park.

🔑 Key Insights

Across People: Can the client do it for Mom, Dad, Teacher, and Grandma?

Across Settings: Can they do it at Home, School, Park, and the Grocery Store?

Across Stimuli: Can they label a photo of a cat, a cartoon cat, and a real cat?

Maintenance Check: Checking a skill 2 weeks or 2 months later to ensure it wasn't forgotten.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do skills fade away?

A: "Use it or Lose it." If a skill isn't practiced or reinforced in the natural environment, it will undergo extinction.

Q: When do I start planning for Generalization?

A: From Day 1. Don't wait until mastery to switch up the materials or the room. Teach loosely from the beginning.

1. Generalization vs. Maintenance

These two are often confused. Remember:
Generalization = Expanding Outward (New Places).
Maintenance = Moving Forward (Future Time).

2. Stimulus Generalization vs. Response Generalization

Stimulus Generalization:
The response stays the same, but the stimulus changes.
Example: You say "Dog" when you see a Poodle, a Pug, and a Lab. (Same word, different dogs).

Response Generalization:
The stimulus stays the same, but the response changes.
Example: You see a friend. You say "Hi," "Hello," and "What's up?" (Different words, same friend).

📝 Knowledge Check

Do you know the difference?

Q1: You teach a child to tie their shoes on sneakers. The next day, they successfully tie their dress shoes. What is this?

Answer: Generalization (Stimulus Generalization).
The skill transferred to a new item (dress shoes) without extra teaching.

Q2: You stop running a "Colors" program because the child mastered it. Three months later, you show them a red card and they say "Red." What does this demonstrate?

Answer: Maintenance.
The skill persisted over time without formal teaching.

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