Common Misconceptions of ABA

Worried about inquiring for ABA services because of things you’ve heard about ABA? Read for common misconceptions about ABA-debunked!

Common Misconceptions about ABA:

“ABA is punitive”

It's important to know that Behavior Analysts operate under an ethical code which gives providers guidelines to structuring services that need to be followed.  ABA services are to be designed to be heavily rooted in reinforcement based procedures, services are structured in an environment filled with items and activities our kids enjoy, and customized to individualized preferences. Services are focused around increasing behaviors the child can do to gain access to what they are wanting/needing AND what is going to help them most significantly based on their individualized needs and wants.

“ABA is about masking quirks”

Everyone has quirks, and it is never about fixing ‘quirks’. ABA is geared on socially significant change meaning what is going to be most significant to the child and family in the places that are most valuable to them. Again we are looking at what is going to help them most based on their individual desires. Everyone has their own version of ‘stim’ behavior and the goal is never to take away a child’s access to those behaviors, really the reasons we would look at decreasing this is if it is dangerous, and/or a significant barrier to the child’s learning.

“ABA is a cookie cutter model”

ABA should always center around the child as an individual. Every child has unique strengths, interests, and goals. Every family is going to have unique priorities and values. ABA is intended to be guided by these principles and never simply centered around one model. Therapy is intended to be constantly adjusted based on how a child is responding to intervention, if something is not working, a new approach will be utilized. There is never just one approach, one assessment, one way to do it.

**note that while these are guidelines which quality ABA *should* operate under, there are bad examples just like in every field. Quality ABA services are available and should provide this level of care.  *

Excerpts from Behavior Analyst Ethics Code that define these responsibilities as treating providers below:

2.14 Selecting, Designing, and Implementing Behavior-Change Interventions Behavior analysts select, design, and implement behavior-change interventions that: (1) are conceptually consistent with behavioral principles; (2) are based on scientific evidence; (3) are based on assessment results; (4) prioritize positive reinforcement procedures; and (5) best meet the diverse needs, context, and resources of the client and stakeholders. Behavior analysts also consider relevant factors (e.g., risks, benefits, and side effects; client and stakeholder preference; implementation efficiency; cost effectiveness) and design and implement behavior-change interventions to produce outcomes likely to maintain under naturalistic conditions. They summarize the behavior-change intervention procedures in writing (e.g., a behavior plan).

2.15 Minimizing Risk of Behavior-Change Interventions Behavior analysts select, design, and implement behavior-change interventions (including the selection and use of consequences) with a focus on minimizing risk of harm to the client and stakeholders. They recommend and implement restrictive or punishment-based procedures only after demonstrating that desired results have not been obtained using less intrusive means, or when it is determined by an existing intervention team that the risk of harm to the client outweighs the risk associated with the behavior-change intervention. When recommending and implementing restrictive or punishment-based procedures, behavior analysts comply with any required review processes (e.g., a human rights review committee). Behavior analysts must continually evaluate and document the effectiveness of restrictive or punishment-based procedures and modify or discontinue the behavior-change intervention in a timely manner if it is ineffective

3.01 Responsibility to Clients (see 1.03, 2.01) Behavior analysts act in the best interest of clients, taking appropriate steps to support clients’ rights, maximize benefits, and do no harm. They are also knowledgeable about and comply with applicable laws and regulations related to mandated reporting requirements.

For complete ethical code see <link: https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ethics-Code-for-Behavior-Analysts-240201-a.pdf>

(Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2020). Ethics code for behavior analysts. https://bacb.com/wp-content/ethics-code-for-behavior-analysts/)