Association for Behavior Analysis International

For over 50 years, intervention methods informed by the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) have been empirically researched and clinically implemented with autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Despite the plethora of evidence for the effectiveness of ABA-based interventions, some autism rights and neurodiversity activists have expressed concerns with ABA-based interventions. Concerns have included discontent with historical events, issues with assent, issues with behavior analytic procedures, issues with what we are teaching, ableism, masking, and possible harm that we are causing. These concerns are continually raised and discussed in various platforms (e.g., social media, conferences, in peer-reviewed papers). The purpose of this panel is to examine some of the expressed concerns about ABA-based interventions and suggest productive ways of moving forward to help provide the best outcomes for autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The panelist members will provide a variety of different perspectives (e.g., behavior analysts, clinicians, autistic adults).

This panel would be beneficial to any behavior analyst currently in the practice wing of the field providing behavioral intervention for autistics/individuals diagnosed with ASD (e.g., RBTs, BCaBAs, BCBAs, paraprofessionals).