harms of aba
Additional Information
- Overemphasis on External Control: Behaviourism, especially when applied rigidly, can be criticized for its focus on external control of behaviour, sometimes at the expense of individual autonomy and intrinsic motivation. This can lead to individuals feeling like they are being manipulated or coerced into compliance.
- Punitive Approaches: Some forms of behaviourism have employed punitive measures, including aversive techniques and punishments, to modify behaviour. Critics argue that these punitive methods can be emotionally distressing, unethical, and potentially harmful.
- Normalization and Masking: In certain contexts, behaviourism has been associated with attempts to make individuals conform to societal norms or expectations, potentially leading to masking or camouflaging their true selves. This can be emotionally taxing for individuals, particularly those who are neurodivergent.
- Lack of Consideration for Individual Needs: Behaviourism, when applied without flexibility and consideration for an individual's unique needs, may not address underlying emotional, sensory, or communication needs. This can lead to a focus on surface-level behaviours without addressing the root causes of behaviour.
- Informed Consent: Concerns have been raised about interventions based on behaviourism, especially when imposed on individuals, particularly children, without their informed consent. Critics argue that individuals should have a say in the interventions that affect them.
- Erosion of Intrinsic Motivation: Even if rewards are phased out correctly, the use of extrinsic rewards in behaviourism can sometimes lead to individuals becoming dependent on external rewards for desired behaviours, potentially diminishing their intrinsic motivation.
Why Can ABA be Harmful?
- Focus on "Normalization": Some ABA programs historically aimed to make autistic individuals behave in ways considered "normal" or neurotypical. Critics argue that this emphasis on conformity can neglect the unique needs, strengths, and preferences of autistic individuals, potentially causing emotional distress and masking their true selves.
- Coercion and Punishment: Behavior modification techniques within ABA have included the use of aversives (punishments) to discourage unwanted behaviors. Critics argue that the use of punishment can be traumatic and unethical, potentially leading to increased anxiety and mental health issues in autistic individuals.
- Lack of Consent: Some autistic individuals have expressed concerns about ABA being imposed on them without their informed consent, especially when they are young and unable to make decisions about their own therapy.
- Overemphasis on Compliance: Critics argue that ABA can prioritize compliance and obedience over autonomy and self-determination, potentially undermining an autistic person's ability to advocate for themselves.
- Failure to Address Underlying Needs: Critics contend that ABA may focus too heavily on surface-level behavioral changes and fail to address the underlying sensory and communication needs of autistic individuals
- Normalization and Masking: Some ABA programs have focused on making autistic individuals appear and behave more like neurotypical individuals, which can lead to masking or camouflaging. Critics argue that this emphasis on conformity can be emotionally taxing and hinder an autistic person's ability to express their true self.
- Coercion and Punishment: Traditional ABA has included the use of aversive techniques or punishment to discourage unwanted behaviors. Critics argue that these methods can be distressing, harmful, and unethical, potentially causing emotional and psychological harm.
- Lack of Autonomy: Concerns have been raised about ABA being imposed on autistic individuals, especially young children, without their informed consent. Critics argue that it can undermine an individual's autonomy and self-determination.
- Focus on Compliance: Some argue that ABA can prioritize compliance and obedience over the well-being and self-expression of the autistic person.
- Failure to Address Underlying Needs: Critics contend that ABA may primarily target surface-level behaviors without adequately addressing the underlying sensory and communication needs of autistic individuals.
- Focus on "Normalization": Some ABA programs historically aimed to make autistic individuals behave in ways considered "normal" or neurotypical. Critics argue that this emphasis on conformity can neglect the unique needs, strengths, and preferences of autistic individuals, potentially causing emotional distress and masking their true selves.
- Coercion and Punishment: Behavior modification techniques within ABA have included the use of aversives (punishments) to discourage unwanted behaviors. Critics argue that the use of punishment can be traumatic and unethical, potentially leading to increased anxiety and mental health issues in autistic individuals.
- Lack of Consent: Some autistic individuals have expressed concerns about ABA being imposed on them without their informed consent, especially when they are young and unable to make decisions about their own therapy.
- Overemphasis on Compliance: Critics argue that ABA can prioritize compliance and obedience over autonomy and self-determination, potentially undermining an autistic person's ability to advocate for themselves.
- Failure to Address Underlying Needs: Critics contend that ABA may focus too heavily on surface-level behavioral changes and fail to address the underlying sensory and communication needs of autistic individuals
- Normalization and Masking: Some ABA programs have focused on making autistic individuals appear and behave more like neurotypical individuals, which can lead to masking or camouflaging. Critics argue that this emphasis on conformity can be emotionally taxing and hinder an autistic person's ability to express their true self.
- Coercion and Punishment: Traditional ABA has included the use of aversive techniques or punishment to discourage unwanted behaviors. Critics argue that these methods can be distressing, harmful, and unethical, potentially causing emotional and psychological harm.
- Lack of Autonomy: Concerns have been raised about ABA being imposed on autistic individuals, especially young children, without their informed consent. Critics argue that it can undermine an individual's autonomy and self-determination.
- Focus on Compliance: Some argue that ABA can prioritize compliance and obedience over the well-being and self-expression of the autistic person.
- Failure to Address Underlying Needs: Critics contend that ABA may primarily target surface-level behaviors without adequately addressing the underlying sensory and communication needs of autistic individuals.
Kupferstein, H. (2018) - DOI: 10.1108/AIA-08-2017-0016