Is behavior analysis becoming more widely accepted?
There are still many people with misconceptions about the field. This is largely due to misrepresentations of behavior analysis both in the popular media and in textbooks. Legitimate behavior analysts are also hurt by reports of abuse by people who incorrectly claim to be using behavior analysis in treating behavior problems. Because of this problem, ABA InternationalTM has established standards for accreditation of graduate training programs in behavior analysis, and the Behavior Analysis Certification BoardTM has created standards for certification of behavior analysts.
Despite misrepresentations and misuse, interest in the field has grown steadily. Over the past 60 years, applied behavior analysis has become recognized as the treatment of choice for behavior problems associated with mental retardation, autism-spectrum disorders, brain injury, and other disorders. Many people also recognize that applied behavior analysis is capable of producing remarkable results in classroom learning. In recent years, interest in the field has grown especially rapidly outside the United States. ABA International has nearly 5,000 members from 42 countries and its affiliated chapters have a total membership of about 13,000 world wide.