Applied behavior analysis stands at a meaningful inflection point in its relationship with the autistic community. For more than 50 years, ABA-based interventions have accumulated substantial evidence for effectiveness across a range of behavioral and developmental domains.
Provider: Autism Partnership Foundation
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Join Free →For over 50 years, intervention methods informed by the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) have been empirically researched and clinically implemented for autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Despite the plethora of evidence for the effectiveness of ABA-based interventions, some autism rights and neurodiversity activists have expressed concerns with ABA-based interventions. Concerns have included discontent with historical events, issues with assent, issues with behavior analytic procedures, issues with what we are teaching, ableism, masking, and possible harm that we are causing. These concerns are continually being raised and discussed in various platforms (e.g., social media, conferences, and in peer-reviewed papers). The purpose of this panel is to examine some of the expressed concerns about ABA-based intervention and suggest productive ways of moving forward to provide the best outcomes for autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The panelist members provide opinion from a variety of different perspectives (e.g., behavior analysts, clinicians, autistic adults).
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB | 1 | General |
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.