Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is simultaneously the most well-funded and highly controversial therapy for autistic children. There is growing evidence of the harms of ABA therapy on autistic people, yet medical professionals still encourage some parents to seek it out for their children. ABA is a method of operant conditioning that interferes with a person’s natural reactions to emotional stimuli and cognitive functioning. Children cannot consent to ABA therapy.

This dynamic and iterative list of literature and resources on Applied Behavioral Analysis is regularly updated. Click each link to connect to the source text or video.

Peer-Reviewed and Non Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

• Avoiding Abuse of Power: A Case for Compassionate, Participant-Centered Research

• Critiques of Ableism Surrounding ABA Therapy

• Autistic Experiences of Applied Behavior Analysis

• Applied Behavior Analysis and the Abolitionist Neurodiversity Critique: An Ethical Analysis

• A Response to “Thou Shall not Ration Justice”: Applied Behavioral Analysis Causes Harm

• The History and Development of Applied Behavioral Analysis in the Treatment of Autism: A Critical Perspective

• Autism, Inc.: The Autism Industrial Complex

• Applied Behavior Analysis and the Abolitionist Neurodiversity Critique: An Ethical Analysis

• They have a Voice; are we Listening?

• Concerns about Ableism in Applied Behavior Analysis: An Evaluation and Recommendations

• Is Camouflaging Autistic Traits Associated with Suicidal  Thoughts and Behaviours? Expanding the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide in an Undergraduate Student Sample

• How Much Compliance is Too Much Compliance? Is Long-Term ABA Abuse?

• 'People should be allowed to do what they like': Autistic adults' views and experiences of stimming

• Practitioner Experience of the Impact of Humanistic Methods on Autism Practice

• Disturbing Behaviours: Ole Ivar Lovaas and the Queer History of Autism Science | Catalyst: Feminism, Theory, Technoscience

• Frontiers | Pervasive Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest in Applied Behavior Analysis Autism Literature | Psychology

• Evidence of increased PTSD symptoms in autistics exposed to applied behavior analysis

• Why caregivers discontinue applied behavior analysis (ABA) and choose communication-based autism interventions

• Long-term ABA Therapy Is Abusive: A Response to Gorycki, Ruppel, and Zane | SpringerLink

• Project MUSE - Ethical Concerns with Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum “Disorder”

• Building a Person: On Legal and Clinical Personhood for Autistic and Trans Children in Ontario

• “I Was Taught That My Being Was Inherently Wrong”: Is Applied Behavioural Analysis A Socially Valid Practice?

• "Recalling hidden harms”: Autistic experiences of childhood applied behavioral analysis (ABA)

• The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Childhood Social Development, Third Edition - Chapter 39: Helping autistic children

• Concerns About ABA-Based Intervention: An Evaluation and Recommendations | SpringerLink

• Ethical Concerns with Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum “Disorder”

• Autism, Queer Identity, And Applied Behavior Analysis: A Case Study In Multiple Minority Identity Development

Writing by autistic people

• My Thoughts on ABA - Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN)

• Neurodefiant

• What's the Big Deal With ABA Therapy? - Autistic Mama

• Why ABA Therapy is Bad: A Brief Summary

• Problematic and Traumatic: Why Nobody Needs ABA

• Does ABA Work? We're Asking the Wrong Question. » NeuroClastic

• The Strategies of ABA - What Parents Should Know Before Making a Decision » NeuroClastic

• Personal Stories from Those Formerly Enrolled in ABA

• Autistics Against ABA | Autistic UK CIC

• ABA Enthusiasts: My Words Are Not For You to Use

• Why ABA Therapy Is Harmful to Autistic People

• Tackling That Troublesome Issue of ABA and Ethics | Emma's Hope Book

• Tumblr Post by Ink and Daggers

• Autonomously Autistic: Exposing the Locus of Autistic Pathology

• Autism Is Not A Behavior - Dege Swain

Other Articles/Books

• ABA is Abuse. Full Stop. Yes, All ABA Autistic Conversion Therapy: Why is It The Gold Standard of Autism Care in The United States?

• The AMA On ABA: The American Medical Association’s stance on Applied Behavioural Analysis

• How ABA & Abuse Go Hand-in-Hand

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective

• Autism, Queer Identity, And Applied Behavior Analysis: A Case Study In Multiple Minority Identity Development

• The Consequences of Compensation in Autism 

• Department of Defense Annual Report on Autism

• Gentle ABA is Still Abuse

• Autistics Are Right about ABA

• Autistic Perspectives on the Future of Clinical Autism Research

• Banning Conversion Therapies

• Grappling With The Right Thing To Do | Emma's Hope Book

• Applied Behavior Analysis and the Autistic Community: Time to Listen

• The possible harms of ABA therapy on individuals with autism

• My Name is Christine and I Work With Autistic Children - A Poem

• Why I Left ABA | Socially Anxious Advocate

• I Abused Children And SO DO YOU: A Response To An ABA Apologist

• I Worked at an ABA Clinic. It was Abuse. » NeuroClastic

• The controversy over autism's most common therapy | Spectrum

Videos

• The Effects of Behavior-Based Models on Neurodevelopment and Learning with Alfie Kohn & Prof. Torres

• The Problem with Applied Behavior Analysis | Chloe Everett | TEDxUNCAsheville

• ABA Therapy is abuse | an autistic's thoughts on ABA | #StopTheShock

• Autism| Life After ABA