What’s the Controversy Surrounding ABA?

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a well-funded and widely used therapy for autistic children, yet it remains highly controversial within the autistic community. Historically, ABA has been employed to modify autistic behaviors to appear more neurotypical, often without consideration of the individual’s natural emotional and cognitive responses. While some professionals and families continue to seek ABA as a treatment option, there is growing evidence that many autistic people experience it as harmful, especially when consent is not possible, as with young children.

It's important to acknowledge that ABA, like many therapies, has evolved over time, and some practitioners are working to reform ABA practices to reduce harm. However, concerns remain about how ABA is implemented and the underlying goals of behavior modification. Additionally, the increasing involvement of private equity in ABA centers raises questions about the focus on profits over meaningful structural changes.

We encourage ongoing reflection and conversation about the best ways to support autistic individuals, focusing on respecting their autonomy and well-being. 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

Writing by autistic people

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