ABA Therapy: Based on the principles of learning

As part of the Hopebridge program, the autism center utilizes ABA therapy under the guidance and direction of Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBA). Applied Behavior Analysis is the most broadly recognized and evidence-based method for treating individuals with autism.

[natalieeuley]

From the very beginning, this video is misleading. The person who founded ABA was Ivar Lovaas; here are some quotes from him:
"You see, you start pretty much from scratch when you have an autistic child. You have a person in the physical sense- they have hair, a nose, and a mouth- but they are not people in the psychological sense."
"After you hit a child, you can't just get up and leave him; you are hooked to that kid"
Also, notice throughout this video what is mentioned. The children are rewarded for good behavior, and it's a battle to get them to do it. And it's only focused on changing the child's behavior. Not on that child's emotions. Even worse, notice what they are saying the child can do. It's all about the caregivers. They aren't talking about how children can better pursue their interests, only how they can make it so the kid isn't so frustrating for the caregiver. This is what is wrong with ABA

[andrilopez]

Im being interviewed to be a behavioral interventionist and this is one of the links

[georgesumner]

All this does, is teach Autistics to be more Neurotypical, because by doing this it makes Neurotypical lives less stressful / inconvenient. You also teach them to be more compliant with anything and everything that a Neurotypical will ask them to do, be it early on or later on in life. Meaning, they feel that this is what they must do to be safe and understood by Neurotypicals. Also to be loved. They learn to essentially people please. Later down the line, this means that all this training that they received, to make their parents lives and teachers lives etc, easier whilst they are growing up, sets them up to be more likely to receive abuse as an adult, or even as a child. You stunt their growth making them brain dead as they are not really suppose to think for themselves, they are only suppose to do what others want them to do, and therefore must await further instructions before they can move. They grow up hating themselves, unable to stop masking and really struggle to find a sense of self. They constantly get told that everything they do is wrong, which negatively reinforces every behavior (so even out of ABA they are technically still receiving it, if that makes sense). Sadly, all this negativity and abuse takes a toll on the individual, they have multiple mental health issues, including severe depression, which leads to suicidal ideation. Then finally (lets say as it is entirely plausible) they he / she meets someone who makes them feel special. Everything seems to be going great! They have finally met someone that makes them feel good for being alive and heard, only for that person to use their vulnerability to their advantage, be it for financial or sexual gains etc. Then due to the fact they were taught to be compliant they allow this person to get away with what they are doing (possibly in part because they haven't been able to read between the lines and because we see what we want to see and who doesn't want to feel special). Then when it hits them they commit suicide. When you have set them up from an early age (presumably unconsciously) for this snowball effect to take place on your child's life, because you wanted the best for them and it would make your life easier and more ideal. when you look at this scenario that I have typed up, which trust me is sadly not unlikely and very possible, would you still send your child to ABA? Listen to the Autistic voices, such as mine. The professionals have a business to sell, but what do we have to gain by making this stuff up? Trust me support isn't the problem, a lot of us want it. This is not the first choice though. More people have had a bad experience with this than a good one. Just do your research on the history of ABA and behaviourism. Look at what Autistics have said about their experience of ABA, particularly how it has effected them in the present as adults / teenagers etc. Read between the lines to understand the psychological effects this will have in the long run.

[Naughtydahmer]

I’m so angry that this is still a Therapy option I will never ever put my son in ABA it should be banned and stopped . Give and take rewards are what they do at frickin sea world to make the animals behave how the trainer wants . This is sickening, you speak as if you have any clue what autism is really like . You don’t know my son or any other child with autism, you just assume cuz they are acting differently in a so called professional setting . This is the most fucked up therapy I’ve ever herd of and I’d never traumatize my beautiful son like this . Do you even listen to adults that have gone through ABA ??? Probably not you are all based on assumption .

[doodlebugugg]

I’m autistic and 15 and I can proudly say aba fucked up my life. I can’t unmask in front of anyone without getting anxious as hell and I’m going to therapy to cope with another kind of therapy.

Thanks I guess :/

[cptkirk]

A couple things from someone who knows nothing. Purely speculative.

This appears to be a different way of teaching/learning for someone who thinks/learns differently. Isn’t that what we’re striving for? To assist in living their best life.

If Autism specific Speech/occupational therapy isn’t working or appears to be traumatizing to my child, what do you suggest? Maybe this is ideal for her..

I understand concerns/points people have made. I don’t like the sense that it’s teaching someone to mask… Personally I see it as good IF you’re going to teach your child to be themselves outside of the progress/learning of aba. Stim when you need to. Be yourself.

[marcusgreer]

Wow, so many pessimistic comments on here. It’s frightening😅

[BriceTerry_OGMarieStan]

I'm autistic and I am so thankful that my parents didn't make me go through ABA therapy.

[MaximusOfTheMeadow]

I thank you for spreiding correct but incomplete information. Please include correct ABA-Therapy includes harsh cursing, pysical punisment and isoletion at very young minors
That ABA-Therapy works by creating Trauma

[oki]

Why is making a child be what you want to be so important? It's really weird

[briiannabarnett]

I was called for an interview for ABA and this was one of the links .
I just want to know what I’m getting myself into. I have a cousin who is autistic and he’s only been comfortable expressing himself around me .
I thought I’d give it a try and see if other autistic children would be comfortable expressing themselves around me that way I can understand them and help them express themselves around others in a positive way.
I see a lot of negative comments but maybe ABA changed a lot of there methods and could potentially be beneficial to there child.
I’m willing to work at ABA, in makeing a difference and making it comfortable for the children and parents.

[tamaracrosgrove]

I always did this with my son and daughter they would get treat or prize and I got told by others that I was spoiling my kids. But both my kids are well behaved and understanding and listening

[seriouslystop]

Wait this isnt roblox aba lancer combos

[Geck_Gxng]

Now I understand what this is entirely I despise it stripping us of our humanity is sick

[gabrielle]

ABA is honestly a beautiful field and helps individuals in it and their families. This field, like many others, did not uphold ethics very well towards the beginning. It’s been a long time coming but modern ABA upholds ethics and maintains that all individuals working in the field do the same in order to maintain their registrations. Therapy can be a hard decision for a lot of parents. I want you to know that we work everyday to clear the name of ABA and show families that we are only here to help. I’ve worked with countless kiddos for over a year as an RBT under the supervision of some amazingly kind and intelligent BCBAs. The kids have made huge progress and think of our clinic as school. They love it. As therapist we are their built in best friends. We work thought out the session but it’s often disguised as playing. My kids are wicked smart and loving. I love them back. My goal as an RBT is to work everyday with their progress in mind. At my clinic we don’t do any punishment. They may get denied access to some things for a limited amount of time ( ie. wants to play with toys but it’s art time. They may be denied toys until AFTER art but they are eventually going to get what they want). We don’t mentally, verbally, or physically abuse ANY of our kiddos. I apologize to those who experienced ABA when it wasn’t following the ethics it should have. I don’t want us to count ABA out to new parents though because they deserve to find EVERY possible way to help their child and ABA is definitely one. No person on the spectrum is the same. No data plan is the same. Not all therapy’s are the same. My tip:See what environment your child excels in and that should answer if you want to continue with the therapy or not. Ask for in home sessions if you can have them and just watch the therapist interact with your child and watch your child interact back with them. Also watch how they handle tantrums because that’s how you will see where their heart lies.

[Reticulan]

Did they come up with this method by sticking articles about dog training, conversion therapy and how to cause a meltdown into a wood chipper.

What gives you the right to grab their hands or force eye contact, make loud noises as praise or hug them. All of those things can be physically painful to to anyone with ASD. I highly doubt any adult with ASD has overseen these "treatments".

[yas-per]

ABA therapy is extremely traumatising for autistic children and can leave them with lifelong psychological issues.

[Naughtydahmer]

What in the holy shit my son has autism and I refuse to use ABA my son doesn’t need fixing

[mariomihai]

Hi.is here anyone who can give me some tips as CBT.whatever i can try at home..I'm a parent of twins probably autistic kids 4y.o.they know a lot of words (to name things)but we have no dialog no conversation for example how are you what you ate today in the school.what have you learned today we have zero response from them .i feel they do not understand what i spoke to them..we have very poor eye contact with them.every time i try to teach how to do a sentence for example.i want water.i like flowers etc.they just copy and nothing more.they are not able to respond a question.we try so hard they even go to speech terapy and no results.one is geting angry very easy especialy if he not get what he want shout rub the face or nails.but only wich we are happy with one know to read in english easy basic english and the other is that he can write.please anyone who can help me with tips that work i'l be happy as a parent of autistic kids

[spectrumnewstoday]

Dislikes are filtered out to cover up the abuse that ABA is. This forces children to act neurotypical which is torture for us. Autism is neurological ot behavioral.