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ABA Therapy - Is it Helpful or Harmful to Autistic Children?

  • Aug 12
  • 7 min read
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As a parent of an autistic child I know how challenging it can be. Especially when you see your child struggling in a specific area. And I know how crucial it is to find kind, gentle, effective support and helping strategies to empower our families to thrive in this world.


To quote Oprah, “When we know better, we do better.” So, I hope this knowledge will empower you to make an informed choice at a time when you as parents are often vulnerable and desperate to find the help and support that your family needs.


I found that in the greater autism community there are very strong advocacy against any behavior modification, forced compliance training, teaching social masking, and trying to basically “fix” Autism/ Neurodiversity.


There are of course wonderful supportive therapies and interventions out there that are not ABA. Especially to help families with co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, or just to support functioning in the areas that are negatively impacted, learn how to provide accommodations and how to thrive as a neurodivergent person in a predominantly neurotypical world.


Why ABA Therapy Is Harmful to Autistic Children: Insights from Research and Advocacy


Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has long been promoted as a standard treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, increasing evidence and voices from the autistic community highlight significant concerns about its impact. This blog post explores why ABA therapy is considered harmful, drawing on scientific research and firsthand accounts from autistic individuals.


The Core Issues with ABA Therapy


1. Pathologizing Autistic Behaviors


ABA often aims to reduce or eliminate behaviors such as stimming (repetitive movements or sounds), avoiding eye contact, or speaking in a monotone voice. These behaviors are natural coping mechanisms for many autistic individuals. Suppressing them can lead to increased anxiety and a sense of shame about one's identity.


2. Emotional and Psychological Harm


Studies have shown that individuals who underwent ABA therapy during childhood report higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to those who did not. A 2018 study found that ABA participants were 86% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.


3. Ethical Concerns and Historical Context


Critics argue that ABA is akin to conversion therapy, aiming to "normalize" autistic individuals rather than accepting neurodiversity. This approach has been compared to practices once used to "cure" homosexuality, which have been widely condemned .


4. Lack of Long-Term Efficacy


Research indicates that comprehensive ABA-based interventions do not consistently lead to significant improvements in symptom severity compared to other treatments. A study published in BMC Psychiatry found no strong evidence supporting the superiority of ABA over other approaches.


Known ABA Knockoffs, Competitors, and Rebrandings


Due to insurance policies, marketing strategies, and the desire to maintain profitability, many therapies that use the same core techniques as ABA are presented under different brand names or labels. Despite new packaging, these approaches often retain the same problematic elements and can be equally harmful. Below is a non-exhaustive list of such alternatives:


  • TEACH Autism — Brand-name competitor to ABA

  • Gemini / Geminii — Brand-name competitor

  • “Modern ABA” / “New ABA” — Terms used to market ABA while denying its abusive history, sometimes distancing from aversives like shock treatment but largely the same practice

  • Classic ABA — Retroactive label for ABA before the “modern ABA” rebranding

  • Positive Behavior(al) Intervention / Positive Behavior(al) Support — “Hippie” or softer rebranding of ABA

  • Lovaas Treatment / Lovaas Approach — Brand-name competitor named after a key early ABA proponent

  • BCBA, CAS, RBT — Credentials or titles for practitioners delivering ABA; sometimes used as shorthand for ABA itself, especially for insurance purposes

  • BHRS / ABA-BHRS — Pennsylvania-specific government-branded ABA or hybrid models

  • Aversives — Specific ABA techniques involving negative stimuli

  • Whole Body Learning — A component commonly integrated within ABA

  • Son-Rise — Family-focused Positive Behavior(al) Intervention brand

  • PBS (Positive Behavior Supports) — UK-based brand name competitor

  • PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) — A ripoff or copy of PBS

  • Play-Based ABA — ABA disguised as play therapy using Montessori-style techniques to seem less harsh

  • Verbal Behavior Therapy (VB / VB MAPP) — ABA subset focusing on language

  • Pivotal Response Training / Treatment (PRT / PVT) — Regional relabeling of ABA

  • Natural Language Paradigm — Older term for PRT (not related to software engineering’s NLP)

  • Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) — ABA derivative

  • Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) / Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI) — Intensive ABA programs for young children

  • Discrete Trial Training (DTT) — Classic ABA technique

  • Incidental Training / Teaching — Another ABA technique

  • Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) — Brand-name ABA derivative, often overlapping ABA directly

  • The PEERS Program — Brand-name ABA derivative focusing on social skills

  • Social Skills Training — Generic label often synonymous with ABA

  • Behavior Analytic Service (BAS) — Another brand name for ABA services


Legitimate Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapies


It’s important to understand that autism itself is not a disease or a problem that needs “fixing.” Autism is a natural variation in human neurology—like being left-handed or having a particular hair color. Instead of trying to “cure” autism, therapy should focus on supporting challenges that an individual might face without attempting to erase their identity.


Many autistic individuals and advocates encourage therapies that affirm neurodiversity, respect the person’s unique needs, and avoid harmful or abusive techniques.

Here are some commonly recommended legitimate therapies that can help with specific challenges without trying to change core autistic traits:


  • Occupational Therapy (OT): Often used to support motor skills, sensory processing, or executive functioning. OT is a broad field, so it’s helpful to ask your provider exactly what services will be provided to ensure they align with your goals and values. Important: Make sure your OT provider does not combine OT with ABA techniques without your knowledge.

  • Speech Therapy: Useful for supporting language processing or learning differences, especially if communication challenges interfere with daily life.

  • Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Talk Therapy (Psychotherapy), Psycho-social Counselling and Wellness Counselling: These approaches can help with psycho-education, sensory and mood regulation strategies, managing meltdowns/ shutdowns / burnout, trauma processing, neuro-affirming social skills, and self-advocacy. They tend to be more person-centered and adaptable to individual needs and how to thrive as a neurodivergent person.



Voices from the Autistic Community


Many autistic individuals and advocates emphasize the importance of neurodiversity-affirming approaches that respect and celebrate autistic traits. These approaches focus on providing support without attempting to change the individual's core identity.


The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and other organizations advocate for therapies that promote acceptance, understanding, and accommodation of autistic behaviors, rather than attempting to eliminate them.


Top Tips & Advice from Autistic Adults


☆ Before You Do Anything:


  1. Love and accept your child as they are. Your autistic child is whole, human, and has a wonderful life ahead.

  2. Listen to autistic people. Their lived experience offers invaluable guidance.

  3. Understand ABA’s purpose: ABA aims to train autistic children to pretend to be non-autistic. If you ask about alternatives, be clear about what you want and don’t want.

  4. Recognize developmental differences: Autistic children develop differently, not “wrongly.” Measuring them by non-autistic milestones is meaningless since non-autistic kids may lack skills autistic kids have.


☆ Helping Your Child With Specific Challenges:


  • Sensory: Occupational therapy or sensory-friendly distractions can help prevent sensory overload. Advocacy to change sensory-unfriendly environments is vital.

  • Behaviors: Behavior is communication. Stimming is language and learning for autistic people. “Challenging behaviors” often signal unmet sensory or emotional needs. Meltdowns are natural human responses to stress; your job is to find and remove the stressors permanently.

  • Speech: Speech therapy can help, but learning autistic language and culture—including stimming, posture, gesture, and sounds—is crucial. Many autistic people communicate all the time, even if it’s misunderstood. AAC devices can be helpful and should be introduced early.

  • Play: Autistic children play in autistic ways. They are often natural experts, inventors, and problem solvers. There’s no need to “teach” play.

  • Engaging: Join in what your child is doing or make activities interesting. Communication is often about sharing space and time, not just words.

  • Learning skills: Autistic people learn best when motivated internally, with logical reasons and emotional connection. Stimming helps process and store learning.

  • Social skills: Autistics have their own valid language and culture. Help them understand non-autistic social norms as a second language via role play and games. Respect autistic identity always.

  • Confidence & self-belief: Encourage activities your child enjoys (arts, music, drama, Lego, horse riding, etc.). Not everything must be “therapy.”

  • Peers: Autistic people often bond well with other autistic people of various ages. Friendship isn’t limited by age.


☆ Research & Evidence About ABA



☆ Additional Resources


  • Aggression identification checklist: We Are Like Your Child Blog

  • Dr. Ross Greene’s “The Explosive Child” & Plan B Parenting: Website: Lives in the Balance. This approach is widely regarded as a compassionate, collaborative alternative to ABA.


Further reading



Important Tips for Families


  • Always verify that the therapy you agreed to is the therapy being provided. Some providers may bill for one type (like OT) but also use ABA-based techniques without clear consent.

  • Autism itself does not require therapy to “fix” it. Therapy is only necessary when specific challenges - such as motor coordination difficulties or trauma - cause distress or interfere with quality of life.

  • Ethical, respectful therapy respects autistic identity and aims to support the individual’s well-being without trying to make them “less autistic.”


Where to Find Support


There are wonderful neurodiversity-affirming therapists and organizations out there, such as The Neurodiversity Center, and many other neuro-affirming caregivers and service providers that specialize in respectful, supportive care.


Final Thought


Supporting an autistic child or adult means honoring their unique neurology while helping with real challenges they face - without harmful or abusive practices. Prioritize ethical, supportive therapies, they are the best way to help autistic individuals thrive.


Always ask questions, advocate for consent, and listen to autistic voices and autistic adults that speak from lived experience.

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