ABA: What is it?
As an autistic person who has worked in ABA, I have an interesting perspective on the issue of ABA reform. Most people only have one of those perspectives, which is part of the issues I will talk about later. This post is not intended to bash ABA because I want to first educate people about ABA therapy and behavior analysis as a field.
Applied Behavioral Analysis is the field of analyzing people’s behaviors and then applying techniques to manipulate behavior towards a desired outcome. Notice that this definition does not specify whether the manipulator or manipulated is the one whose “desired outcome” is considered. This will become one of the major critiques of ABA later.
ABA therapy is defined as “a type of therapy that can improve social, communication, and learning skills through reinforcement strategies” (Healthline) that is primarily used for autistic children. Oftentimes, insurance companies will only offer ABA therapy as being covered, so most children only received those services. ABA services can be offered at a center or in home, but the treatment team usually involves a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who supervises and creates the treatment plan, and a Registered Behavior Technician who actually meets with the child and goes through the programs.
If you decide to take your child to ABA therapy, here is how that process generally goes. Please check out my list of questions to ask therapists to make sure you pick the right center and provider for you and your child.
A diagnosis of autism is received by a pediatrician's referral.
You can choose to notify your insurance and ask if any providers are covered, or you can wait until you meet a practitioner.
You make an initial appointment with one of the program’s BCBAs. Some use professionals who are qualified but not board certified, and these will be called Behavior Consultants.
During the initial assessment appointment, the BCBA will interact with your child and ask you questions about their health and behavior. You may or may not meet the RBT(s) assigned to your case at this time, as different centers do this differently.
A few days after your initial appointment, your BCBA will contact you to review their findings and to decide what programs you would like to include in the intervention plan. Most centers have you meet the RBT by this point.
When an RBT is assigned to your case and a schedule is made, your child will begin their services.
I hope you found this sort of timeline helpful. Remember to check my other posts about ABA to make the best decisions about your child’s care. I have included links to some sources discussing this issue as you begin to form your opinion about this.
Brief History of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis)
A Study in the Founding of Applied Behavior Analysis Through Its Publications
ABA Therapy: How It Works, Examples, Cost, Controversy
Is the Most Common Therapy for Autism Cruel?
Exploring Quality in the Applied Behavior Analysis Service Delivery Industry
The Fuzzy Concept of Applied Behavior Analysis Research
5 Important Reasons Even "New ABA" is Problematic
A Commentary on Critchfield and Reed: The Fuzzy Concept of Applied Behavior Analysis Research
Replication Research, Publication Bias, and Applied Behavior Analysis
Pervasive Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest in Applied Behavior Analysis Autism Literature
