ABA: Harm Reduction
If you’re a parent reading about ABA, you’re undeniably getting mixed messages about its efficacy and ethics. Autistic people and their allies are saying that all ABA is horrible and abusive, and to some degree it is. ABA is abusive in the same sense that capitalism is abusive. Whenever people are expected to perform specific tasks in a predetermined way to qualify as having value, there are going to be people who don’t fit that norm. In my opinion, harm reduction is a more realistic goal than the complete abolishment of ABA, just like I believe that introducing policies like Universal Healthcare in the US is a more realistic goal than jumping right into complete socialism. By making room for compromise, without giving up the ultimate goal, we will see more people join in supporting change. I’m currently working on part 2 to my larger post about this topic, but I just wanted to state the ethical reasons for this parent guide.
For neurotypical parents with an autistic child, the diagnosis is likely scary to receive. You’ve just been told that there will always be a fundamental communication barrier between you and your child, and that you are likely going to have to completely adjust your life for your child. Good parents are left with seemingly only two choices: provide their child with no support or provide them with support that is often done incorrectly and can be abusive. If the child is not in public school, their available support is even more limited. All of these limitations to alternative services do not even include financial and time constraints.
Here are some important tips for parents. As always, leave a comment if you have more advice to give!
Establish open communication with your providers. This includes the RBT(s), center staff, and BC(a)BAs.
Have services in the home if possible. If you will be going to a center, ask to see the workrooms and common areas.
Attend any and all team care meetings! If your child is old enough, include them in this process as well.
Review the BIP forms if your child has one. This is how the staff will respond to your child’s unwanted behaviors.
Pay attention to how many hours the BCBA or evaluator suggests for your child. ABA research shows no benefit to increasing hours over 10-20 per week.
Review what reinforcements will be made available to your child during work time. Are you comfortable with food being used? Are your child’s comfort items being taken away to use as reinforcement?
Thoroughly review any and all programs being run with your child. What are the demands being placed on your child? Are the reinforcements natural and relevant? Is there a balance of “table time” and NET?
Learn more about the study of behaviorism and behavior modification
As you can tell from this list, being aware of your child’s services is your critical role as your child’s primary caregiver(s). You have the final say in any programming and procedures for your child. You or your insurance provider are paying for ABA as a service for your child, so you have the right and obligation to make sure that it is effective for your child’s needs. If you have doubts about this, just ask your child how they feel about going to sessions, and try to find out the reason if they don’t want to go.
