ABA: Controversy in Autism Therapy (BCBA tells ALL)!

[@rachelle8534]

“What is important currently in this society” does not mean that it is important to the autistic individual

[@rachelle8534]

Can someone please SHOW me an example of “good” ABA. Lots of BCBAs use this argument that “ABA has changed.” So let’s see it. WHERE is this different ABA?

[@veranichole1981]

See, it shouldn’t just be “by what’s acceptable in our society currently,” but by what’s acceptable by any standard. If you think there is a chance people in 30 years will be appalled then don’t allow it. Don’t allow 40 hours. Don’t allow awards or punishments as we know people must be intrinsically motivated to learn. Don’t remove or limit people’s access to any of their needs. Most important; always assume competency. Err on the side of disability justice and not on disability rights. I see no excuse for abuse. Just because the need is great doesn’t allow any other profession to hire minimally trained individuals to do their job. I can’t walk into a school tomorrow and teach because I don’t have that degree. Find a better way even if it costs you money and clients.

[@michellepreston1448]

I think it's interesting her only example of ABA "therapy" was the example of helping an autistic kid ride the subway with their family because that's what the family asked for help with. When you unlayer why an autistic person cannot ride the subway, it's likely all due to sensory needs. Would an OT not be the one who is supposed to address this? I'd like to hear more about what ABA thinks they should be working on in place of SLPs and OTs and trauma informed care and therapy... Riding the subway is not a behavior. She has not convinced me. I will continue to listen to autistic voices and believe when they explain the harms of ABA.

[@AIMSGlobal]

Thank you for your comments, Michelle. I do agree that an OT can help with many sensory sensitivities. As stated in the description, we follow a holistic support system at AIMS Global that we have created in collaboration with autistic adults. We also have autistic advocates that go through our work and support recommended. I will however ask Dr. Trina to look at comments when she can :) Thank you again and have a great rest of the week x Karla

[@puentedecuentos9101]

Hi Michelle, Thank you for the comment. Hopefully, I can clarify a bit. The example of teaching a child to ride a subway was an example of how the family was driving the target selection, not the behavior analyst. Riding the subway doesn't show up on behavior analytic assessments, but because the family identified it as something that would improve their quality of life, it became part of the service plan (This is called social validity). I would not call that "ABA therapy" but it is an example of a less traditional behavior to which the science of behavior and learning can apply. That was the only point of the comment. I can assure you that this child was receiving comprehensive care, which included SLP and OT services, and the procedures were designed to relieve stress associated with the sensory experience of the subway. We did not force the child to do something that caused discomfort. In fact, there are extremely effective tactics (derived from the science of behavior and learning) that can accomplish the goal without causing undo harm or discomfort. Unfortunately, well-intended, but uninformed, direct providers are all too often not competent to do it in a manner that avoids discomfort. So it is very likely that you have witnessed unethical and incompetent implementation of procedures that are disguised as "ABA" and that is unfortunate. It grieves me to know the depth of pain that has been caused. Please know there are many many behavior analysts who are listening and working tirelessly to correct mistakes that have been made under the ABA umbrella. Trauma-informed behavior analytic services exist, however, they are still new and the science is emerging that can and will lead to improved care for clients. It will take time, but I am encouraged that my field and its professionals are starting to reflect properly on our history, and are taking the necessary steps to ensure greater social validity of their practices.

[@danielmoore4024]

@@AIMSGlobal The problem I see with ABA is parents cannot discern actual ABA from interventions that call themselves ABA for insurance. It is the actual ABA that calls itself a "natural data driven science" I'm against. Things like OT, CBT, SCERTS, DIR/Floortime, TEACCH etc... I support as they're more central on the child instead of behavior. There's overwhelming evidence from all other scientific fields against actual ABA, when ABA was founded it was already out of date and proven ineffective in the long run by B. F. Skinner himself. Like Skinner had already proven aversives don't make people any less inclined to perform a behaviour supported by the results of Solomon's research on conformity, Zimbardo's research on conforming to social roles, and Milgram's research on obedience. What I see ABA therapists saying proves they don't acknowledge "Demand Characteristics", numerous autistic adults have shared they pretended to be happy when rewarded while on the inside they found it entirely humiliating, they didn't want to upset the therapist. Human psychology and other scientific fields prove Operant Conditioning is actually harmful and damaging in the long run as Skinner proposed which is why he was against Ole Ivar Lovaas, in 2019 The American Psychological Association found ABA practicing publication bias due to a replication crisis making other researchers base their claims on bias information, and in 2021 the top 8 ABA journals were reviewed and they published an article claiming they found over 80% of cases sited were COI and were so poorly conducted that experts in data analysis claimed ABA is not even worthy of being part of a science review and did not even merit a promising approach. University studies have shown that anyone who goes through ABA is significantly more likely to develop PTSD symptoms and some even PTSD itself. I'm not going to go on for ever, but I would like you to look at "Self-Determination Theory" lead by Richard Ryan that demonstrates how reinforcers (extrinsic motivators) destroy intrinsic motivation making things even worse than they were in the beginning. Acknowledge that praise is judgmental and conditional acceptance, that the whole philosophy and history of ABA is pseudoscience, that looking at children as people with deficits communicates to the child there's something wrong with them, how extinction communicates neglect to the child. Actual ABA will always be a conversion therapy even not intended due to the whole framework, that the whole framework is based and founded upon deeply flawed, outdated assumptions about human psychology.

[@AIMSGlobal]

@@danielmoore4024 thank you for your valuable input. As mentioned- at AIMS Global we do not do ABA therapy. We have autistic advisors. We do, however want to have these types of conversations and discussions. That’s also why we really value your input - thank you again :)

[@antoniaszymanek5314]

since when is rewarding desirable behavior, with a reinforcer of interest to the child, a negative or abusive thing? That is literally parenting. That is how they learn to behave in appropriate ways, whether they are neurotypical or neurodivergent. My mother used to always say "if you behave you'll get a toy" or a treat, and it was never something I didn't like, then this tactic wouldn't work, even as an adult, I behave at work to make money, or I watch sports with my husband so that I can go out for girls night and leave him with the children, we all behave certain ways to get a desired reward... can somebody explain to me what is wrong with that? My daughter has autism, but even if she didn't, she needs to learn appropriate behavior, all children do, and using reinforcers that interest her is how we accomplish that. Why is this "bothersome" or inappropriate? Looking for explanation, not trying to offend, genuinely would like a better explanation by someone who disagrees to discuss this with me and help me understand!

[@Vaporeon28]

Good timing for this conversation. Have been thinking a lot about this. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of “therapies” or services that are covered by insurance. And living in a rural area (which I do) further limits options. We stopped ABA during the earlier part of COVID and I haven’t been sure what to do from here. Certainly don’t want to implement something that will be harmful for my daughter in the long run. This was a helpful conversation.

[@AIMSGlobal]

Thank you for your comment, Amy :) We have some support options that might work for your family. Let me know if you want to schedule a call? Karla [e-mail] 💛

[@daneallaswart3675]

I have only 3 years experience working with neurodivergent children (mostly early intervention) and when I started I was only volunteering and without any form of qualifications. I think learning in a practical way helped me a lot to understand how to help children on the spectrum. Even though I had no qualifications I felt that I was making a difference, however small it may have been. I think learning from experience and other like-minded individuals that do have the knowledge and theoretical background is very helpful, that's not to say that I don't believe in furthering your theory and knowledge on these disorders, but I do think a lot of the time there's a misconception that if you don't have the relevant qualifications that you won't be able to give these amazing children what they need.