Book Review — ABA Visual Language: Applied Behavior Analysis by Makoto Shibutani

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ABA Visual Language: Applied Behavior Analysis by Makoto Shibutani

This book is one of the most approachable introductions to ABA I’ve encountered. As a supplementary text, it does a beautiful job of simplifying and illustrating key ABA terminology. For people new to the field — RBTs, parents, paraprofessionals — it’s often described as a "starter textbook."

Get it on Amazon ✅

Readers consistently highlight how the illustrations and simple examples help demystify jargon that otherwise feels overwhelming. One reviewer wrote that it’s “very helpful” for visual learners and a good starting point for students or parents learning ABA.

Who it’s good for:

  • Newcomers to ABA (parents, educators, paraprofessionals) who want to understand core concepts with minimal jargon

  • RBTs or trainees who want a friendly, low-pressure way to supplement more technical texts

  • Anyone wanting a quick, accessible reference to basic ABA terminology

Why I recommend it: Because I want ABA to be accessible. For many people, ABA textbooks are dense and technical — but this book breaks down barriers and helps build confidence before tackling heavier texts.

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