Embedded Files
Click here for the standard version
[Image description: an orange square that reads "ABA is abuse"]
Thumbnail graphic retrieved from cocomck on Redbubble
Applied Behavior Analysis is short for ABA. It is a method of therapy. It is common for autistic people to be in it. Professionals call it evidence-based and the gold standard treatment for autism. There is a long history of autistic people protesting it though. This is because ABA is actually very harmful. There is also protest of it from parents. These parents had kids in ABA. This section comes with an obvious content note. It includes abuse, restraint, seclusion, gaslighting, and the use of aversives.
This website has a ton of links to explanations of why ABA is harmful. It has personal accounts and editorials.
The Misbehaviour of Behaviourists and the Schafer Report
Michelle Dawson is an autistic researcher. She wrote an essay called "The Misbehaviour of Behaviourists". She also spoke to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2004. She acted as an intervener. This means she wasn't involved with the case but gave the court her opinion. This was during their Auton v. British Columbia decision. Michelle spoke about the unethical nature of ABA. She discussed how the way behaviorists defended their practice was suspicious.
Dawson's speech drew a lot of criticism from people who do ABA. This included the Schafer report. Many autistic people came to Michelle's defense after the report was published. Some of them were users on Autistics.org. You can find them below:
Another Parent’s Take on ABA and its “Defense” by Phil Schwarz
In Response to Lenny Schafer by Larry Foard
Response to a Mother’s Response by Connie Baker
Past, Present, and Future-Mel Baggs
Analysis of the Schafer Report by Moggy Mania
Lenny Schafer's Inquisition: A Response by Kathleen Seidel
Misbehavior of Behaviorists comments
Autism parents discuss SCC "Auton" Decision, 20 Nov 2004
Conuly LiveJournal entry April 8th, 2004
ABA Proponents Attack Autistics: Showing Their True Character
Personal Accounts of ABA
Everything I Needed to Know about Life I Learned from a Behavioral Therapist by Camille
My Thoughts on ABA by Amy Sequenzia
What is ABA and My Experience by Aviva Seigler aka Fierce Autie
(Note: This is not specifically about ABA but is rather about tactics often used in ABA making its way into other practices)
Personal stories from those formerly enrolled in ABA
Why No Autistic Child Should Be in ABA Therapy
Teach Social Skills As Values, Not Like Computer Programs by Finn Gardiner
Critiques of ABA
Thinking Person's Guide to Autism ABA tag
Does Lovaas Style ABA makes (sic) the child "a subject"? by gottaluvem
Who YOU calling a lab rat? by unknown
The stuff you gotta know to teach autistic kids
Applied Behavior Analysis is abusive to Native children by Jules Edwards
My Position on ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) by Frank Klein
Practical Problems with ABA Programs by Frank Klein
Cure, Recovery, Prevention of Autism? An essay by Phil Schwarz
'Cause I wanna know what ethics y'all are f***king sideways by Night Storm
Nice Lady Therapist by Rabbi Ruti Regan
The Culture of Coercion- Ralph Smith
The autistic community is having a reckoning with ABA. We should listen
Autism Diva: Lovaas, ABA: The bad old days
Is One Style of Early Behavioral Treatment for Autism 'Scientifically Proven'?
People Like Me is a short documentary. It discusses some of the problems with ABA. It was directed by Marrok Sedgwick. It primarily features non-speaking and semi-speaking autistic people. Non-speaking and semi-speaking autistic people are autistic people who do not entirely rely on spoken word to be understood.
CardGate and International Day of Protest Against ABA
International Day of Protest of ABA is observed every year on August 31st. It was first observed in 2018, one year after the CardGate scandal. Autistics United Canada is the main organization behind this event.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse