If you ask most people where Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) began, they’ll point to Baer, Wolf, and Risley’s 1968 article—the one that defined the field’s seven core dimensions. But here’s the twist: ABA didn’t start there. The real story is more complex, more fascinating, and—like all good stories—it challenges what we think we know.

Storytelling isn’t just an art; it’s a science of behavior change. A well-told story functions like a structured sequence of verbal behavior, carefully shaping the listener’s understanding, beliefs, and actions. In behavior analysis, storytelling does more than entertain—it educates, persuades, and transforms. It helps us make sense of history, recognize the patterns that led to major breakthroughs, and understand why the field evolved the way it did.

So, what’s the real story of ABA’s origins? To get there, we need to go beyond Baer, Wolf, and Risley and look at the pioneering work that came before them—the research programs, the key figures, and the...