Chapter 2 - ASD Traits
What is ABA Therapy?
ABA is Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy and was considered the “gold standard” of services for Autistic individuals since the start of the 1970s. The aims of ABA practices seek to develop strategies to analyze and alter behavior using various interventions such as discrete trial training (DTT), pivotal response training (PVT), verbal behavior training (VBT), and positive reinforcement (Anderson, 2023).
Why is ABA NOT the solution?
The basis of ABA is to improve the human condition through behavior change. However, Autistic advocates argue that Autism is a natural variation in human development and should be celebrated rather than “fixed” or “cured” (Anderson, 2023). Since there is not only one way for the human brain to exist, Autistic advocates argue in favor of neurodiversity and neurodiversity affirming practices.
Autistic self-advocates also report that ABA’s interventions lead to masking. Masking is defined as the process of hiding Autistic traits and or characteristics in order to not appear as Autistic, which is greatly detrimental to an Autistic individual. Masking has been proven to have a correlation to high incidences of anxiety, stress, and social alienation in Autistic individuals (Anderson, 2023).
Click here to watch a TED Talk presented by one of the co-founders of Autism Level Up, Amy Laurent, PhD, OTR/L, discussing how “Compliance is Not the Goal: Letting Go of Control and Rethinking Support for Autistic Individuals” to learn more.
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A study conducted in 2023 by Laura K. Anderson aimed to understand the perspectives and lived experiences of ABA from Autistic adults as children. Below are some testimonials from Autistic adults who participated in the study:
“I was not really in control of my life.”
“It was so humiliating being there.”
“For every one thing I learned that was helpful, there were twelve things I needed to unlearn to be able to be an effective human being.”
Click on the “Download pdf” button below to read more on the study.