How to Tell if an Autism ABA Therapy Is Harmful

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is a subject of controversy in the autistic and autism communities. Some people say they or their children were abused. Others say it worked wonders. As someone who wants the best for your loved one, how can you tell the difference between a potential success story and horror story? The signs are there if you know how to look for them. This article is written with loved ones in mind, but autistic teens and adults are also welcome to use it.

Note: This article covers topics such as compliance therapy and abuse, and may be disturbing, especially for people with PTSD caused by therapy. If you feel uncomfortable with such topics, or if you are uncomfortable at any time with any content, we suggest that you stop reading this article.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Considering Therapy Goals

Therapy goals should be focused on helping your loved one gain skills and live happily and comfortably. Stamping out autistic traits is not a worthwhile goal.

  1. Image titled Quiet Hands.png
    1
    Ask yourself whether the goals involve accommodation or assimilation. The UN states that disabled children have a right to preservation of identity[1] , i.e., to be themselves even if it means looking autistic. Research has shown that autistic people who attempt to "camouflage" their autism are at significantly higher risk of suicide.[2] [3] While some people choose to "fit in" a little, this shouldn't be forced, especially in the home. A good therapist will value the person's individuality and mental health by allowing and encouraging them to be different. They should not try to remove autistic behaviors or characteristics like...
  2. Image titled Crying Child Told to Stop.png
    2
    Consider if the therapist controls your loved one's affect. Some therapists train autistic people to show facial expressions or body language that suggest happiness, regardless of their actual feelings. [9] All people need to be able to express their feelings.
    • No one should be pushed to smile or act happy if they do not feel happy.
    • Hugs and kisses should not be trained or pressured, even if it means hurting feelings. The right to set boundaries is important in arming your loved one against sexual and emotional abuse.[10] [11]

    Did You Know? Dog trainers consider dogs that have been trained not to growl or show aggression as "time bomb dogs" that are likely to attack seemingly "out of nowhere." This is because stopping a dog from acting out will not stop the fear and anxiety that caused the dog to act this way.[12] Similarly, training a child to bottle up their distress is likely to turn them into a "time bomb" of anxiety and aggression. It may make their meltdowns more intense and unpredictable.[13] Children should not be treated worse than dogs.

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  3. Image titled Teen and Autistic Kid Giggling.png
    3
    Consider whether the therapist is fighting or accommodating the autistic person's brain.[14] A bad therapist may try in vain to make your loved one not be or act autistic; a good one will seek to work with them so they can grow into a happy and capable autistic adult.[15] Therapists should focus on helping the person become a happy autistic person, not a non-autistic one. Good therapy goals might include...
    • Building emotional regulation skills and being helped to identify one's own emotions [16] [17]
    • Finding comfortable and non-harmful stims, instead of extinguishing all stimming that doesn't look "socially acceptable" [18]
    • Finding ways to accommodate and alleviate sensory issues [19] [20]
    • Gaining social skills in a friendly environment (note: terms like "social skills" or "pragmatic language" can also be used as euphemisms for being taught to socialize in non-autistic ways, such as reinforcing eye contact or rigid social scripts that encourage masking [21] , so be mindful that your child is consensually learning skills that are universally helpful across neurotypes, which include assertiveness and self-advocacy as well as making friends [22] [23]
    • Learning perspective-taking skills and gaining an understanding of why non-autistic people act the way they do [24]
    • Discussing and working on your loved one's own personal goals
  4. Image titled Boy Using AAC Button.png
    4
    Evaluate whether learning communication is treated as an essential skill, or a performance to please adults. Communication should be considered more important than verbal speech (including both behavior and AAC).[25] Beginning vocabulary should focus on basic needs instead of parents' feelings.
    • Words such as "yes," "no," "stop," "hungry," and "hurt" are more necessary than "I love you" or "Mommy."
    • Behavior and nonverbal communication should be honored and respected, even as someone is learning to communicate via AAC or speech. [26]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Examining Therapy Sessions

A good therapist will treat your loved one well, no matter what. No one is too autistic or "too low-functioning" to be treated with kindness and respect.

  1. Image titled Occupational Therapist Talks to Young Teen.png
    1
    Consider whether the therapist presumes competence. A good therapist will always assume that the loved one is capable of listening (even if they seem unresponsive), and will assume that they are doing their best. [27]
    • A nonspeaking or partially nonspeaking loved one is able to think more deeply than they can communicate.[28] [29] Their body may not always obey them, so they may not be able to accurately point to the things they want to point to.[30] [31] [32]
    • The therapist should care about why your loved one does what they do, and never assume that a behavior is meaningless, nor should they choose to ignore what the autistic person might be trying to communicate.[33] [34] [35]
    • Schoolwork designed for a four-year-old is not appropriate for a sixteen-year-old.
  2. Image titled Dad Smiles at Adopted Daughter.png
    2
    Evaluate whether the therapy is a team effort or a battle. Consent matters. A good therapist will try to work with your loved one and respectfully engage with them on their level. Therapy should not be a battle, and autistic people should not have to suffer through it.[36]
    • Think if it would be better described as cooperation or as compliance.[37]
    • Your loved one should be able to voice concerns, opinions, and goals. They should have input in their own treatment.
    • A therapist needs to honor a "no." If your loved one is ignored when they say "no," they learn that the word "no" is not important and they do not need to listen to it.[38]
    • Find a fun therapy for your loved one if you can. Many good therapies feel like structured playtime.
  3. Image titled Person Wants Not To Be Touched.png
    3
    Take a close look at how boundaries are treated. Your loved one should be able to say no, and have the therapist listen to them. The therapist should not push, pressure, coerce, or threaten loss of tokens or privileges if the autistic person is not comfortable with something.
    • Your loved one should be taken seriously when they say no or express discomfort (verbally or not).[39]
    • Bullying and sexual abuse victimization rates are high in autistic children (and adults). Consider asking that assertiveness training be part of your loved one's therapy program.[40] [41]
  4. Image titled Adult Lies on Floor with Crying Child.png
    4
    Notice whether acting out is met with empathy or attempts to control the behavior. Acting out is a sign of stress. A bad therapist may simply punish or ignore the person until they act the way the therapist prefers. A good therapist will take time to investigate what's wrong and help the person find a more constructive way to address what's bothering them. This helps the person learn how to handle the needs or difficult emotions that triggered the behavior.
    • Acting out is usually a sign that someone doesn't know how to handle their emotions. The best way to handle this isn't to enforce an immediate punishment, but to help the person label the feeling, cope, and find a constructive way to take action.[42]
    • For example, if a little girl cries when her crayon breaks, a bad therapist might try to control her behavior and make her stop crying. A good therapist might show empathy, help her find words to describe how she's feeling, and then show her what she can do (like asking an adult to help her tape the crayon back together).
  5. Image titled Various Toys.png
    5
    Examine the use of reinforcers. Reinforcers can be effective, but can also be overused[43] or abused. A bad therapist may tell you to deny your loved one access to their favorite things at home, in order to make them work for them in therapy.[44] They may try to use reinforcers as a method of coercion. Take note if the therapist uses or restricts...
    • Food
    • Access to beloved things, such as their special interest or their teddy bear
    • Negative reinforcers, aka "aversives" or corporal punishment (e.g. slapping, squirting vinegar in the mouth, spraying water in the face, forced inhalation of ammonia, electric shocks)[45] [46] [47]
    • Ability to take breaks
    • Too many reinforcers; the autistic person's life is a series of tokens and exchanges, or they are losing internal motivation[48]
  6. Image titled Parent Ignores Crying Girl.png
    6
    Pay attention to how much the therapist ignores the person. "Planned ignoring" is a technique in which a therapist ignores someone's behavior until it goes away. However, it rarely helps the situation, since the cause of the behavior is ignored. Frequent withholding of attention and affection is harmful, especially for a developing child.
    • Oftentimes "bad" or "weird" behavior is an attempt to communicate a feeling or need. Having communication attempts ignored can erode trust and make the person feel frustrated and helpless.[49]
    • Sometimes planned ignoring results in dramatic escalation as the child tries to get a physical or emotional need met.[50]

    Did You Know? Planned ignoring often doesn't address the reason why the behavior is happening or why the person feels the need to act a certain way. Problems rarely go away when ignored. It's more constructive to investigate the need or problem causing the behavior and then guide the person on how to resolve it.

  7. Image titled Autistic Girl Smiling and Finger Flicking.png
    7
    Consider your loved one's ability to take a break to calm down or stim. A bad therapy may push an autistic person long after they need a break, and even use this as a technique to break their will so that they comply. A good therapy allows plenty of breaks as needed.[51]
    • 40 hours per week of therapy is as demanding as a full-time job. This can be exhausting, especially for young children.[52]
    • A good therapist will encourage your loved one to communicate the need for a break, and allow a break whenever the autistic person or the therapist thinks one is needed.
    • A bad therapist may only let the person have a break if they have "earned" it as a reward.
  8. Image titled Stuffed Animals Labeled by Color 1.png
    8
    Look at the rigidity of the program. Autistic people are diverse, so therapy should be tailored to the person's needs and interests. If something isn't working, the therapist shouldn't keep doing the same thing over and over while your loved one gets more and more frustrated. In addition to being useless, the constant failure can hurt your loved one's self-esteem and make them begin to hate therapy.[53] See if the therapist is willing to be flexible and try a new approach or a new goal.
    • A bad therapist will keep imposing the same commands and lessons over and over, even if the person clearly isn't learning with this approach. In extreme cases, bad therapists have tried to train children to overcome medical conditions outside the child's control.[54]
    • A good therapist will be willing to say "this isn't working." They'll either find a new way to teach or decide to focus on a different goal for now.
    • A good therapist may incorporate the person's interests and skills to help with learning. For example, a child who loves board games can learn counting and math skills with a board game. A child who loves blocks can learn to sort things with labels taped to blocks. A child who loves dogs can learn to write by writing sentences about dogs.[55]

    Did You Know? Good therapists are willing to be flexible to accommodate the person's needs and emotions. If they realize their expectations were unrealistic, they'll adjust so that the person can move at their own pace. Bad therapists may only care about the time frame and whether they can make the person "progress" quickly enough, regardless of whether the person can handle it.[56]

  9. Image titled Man Reassures Girl in Pink.png
    9
    See whether the therapist cares about the autistic person's emotions. Therapies such as ABA focus on the ABC model—antecedent, behavior, consequence. While this can be useful, it becomes dangerous if internal experiences (such as emotions and stress) are ignored. A good therapist will empathize with your loved one and try to see the world through their perspective.
    • A good therapist will be careful not to push your loved one too hard. If the person is stressed, the therapist will empathize and comfort them or let them take a break.
    • A bad therapist will not stop if they are causing distress, or may push even harder.[57] They may provoke a meltdown.[58] They may train your loved one to obey commands and follow rules even when it is too stressful.[59]
  10. Image titled Dad Sits Next to Crying Adoptive Daughter 2.png
    10
    Consider how the therapist reacts if your loved one cries or gets upset. A good therapist will immediately de-escalate and show concern (or remorse) over the situation. A bad one may press harder, pin them down, or try to "break" the autistic person, turning it into a battle of the wills.
    • A good therapist will be honest about what happened, and take steps to prevent it from happening again. They care about your loved one's emotional pain.
    • Some bad therapists explain these as "tantrums" and insist that these must be dealt with harshly.
    • Too many weeks, months, or years of tears and frustration may lead previously nonviolent children to become aggressive.[60] [61]
  11. Image titled Child's Hand with Bandage.png
    11
    Beware of physical intervention. Some therapists will physically force compliance if an autistic person does not do what they want. Since a bad therapist may deny any wrongdoing and blame your loved one, you may need to set up a nanny cam to find out what actually happens.[62] Look for...
    • Aversives, such as spraying vinegar in the mouth or forcing them to eat wasabi[63]
    • Grabbing and moving the person against their will (including hand-over-hand on an unwilling person)[64]
    • Forced restraint (slapping hands onto table, pinning them against the floor instead of de-escalating, using prone restraint/face-down restraint/long-term restraint even though this can be and has been lethal[65] )
    • Trapping them ("calm down" rooms with locked doors, chairs with straps to hold them down)
    • Red marks, bruises, or cuts on your loved one[66]
  12. Image titled Quiet Hands in Praxis.png
    12
    Consider whether you would be okay with a non-autistic person being treated this way. No one is "too low-functioning" to be treated well, and it can help to visualize a non-autistic child being treated like your loved one is being treated. Take a minute to imagine it. Does this make you uncomfortable?[67]
    • Would you flinch or intervene if you saw a non-autistic sibling or peer being treated this way?
    • Imagine yourself being the autistic person's age. Would it feel demeaning if you went through this?
    • If a parent treated a non-autistic child this way, would you be calling Child Protective Services?
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Paying Attention to the Child

  1. Image titled Child with Anxiety.png
    1
    Think about how your loved one responds when it's time for therapy to start. How do they act when the session begins or when a break is over? While people may not always be excited to start therapy, anxious behavior or major resistance are a sign that something is wrong. Pay attention to fear-related behavior like:
    • Running away from the therapist[68]
    • Crying or screaming
    • Protesting (like saying "I hate you" or "No!")
    • Pleading or making excuses
    • Flopping to the floor and refusing to get up after you pause and offer them a hand
    • Hiding
    • Resisting when being grabbed or dragged to the therapy room
    • Aggression
  2. Image titled Crying Girl 1.png
    2
    Notice signs of whether a child is getting tired or upset during therapy. Tasks in ABA therapy (like talking a lot or doing challenging motor skills activities) can be tiring,[69] and other activities like school tend to tire out autistic kids. An overtired child is an unhappy child who won't learn well. Look at whether the therapist notices and responds helpfully to signs that the child is worn out.[70]
    • Is your loved one rubbing their eyes, turning away, avoiding or refusing demands, moving slowly, or whining/complaining a lot?
    • Does the therapist recognize these as signs of being tired, or does the therapist consider this to be "problem behavior" or "disobedience"?
    • When the person shows signs of being worn out or distressed, does the therapist let them take a break or transition to an easier activity? Or does the therapist keep pushing until the child either gives up or has an outburst or panic attack?
  3. Image titled Woman Gives Thumbs Up to Autistic Boy.png
    3
    Evaluate whether your loved one feels safe in therapy. Children need love and attention in a safe environment, whether they are autistic or not.[71] Good therapy will help autistic people feel relaxed and safe. If it involves regular screaming, sobbing, or battles of wills, then this is a serious problem.[72]
    • Bad days do happen, and your loved one may cry in therapy. If this happens, consider what role the therapist played in the cause of distress, and how they responded.
  4. Image titled Angry and Upset Children Cry.png
    4
    Be wary if your loved one appears to be regressing or becoming fearful. A harmful therapy may place severe stress on your loved one, causing autistic burnout, trauma symptoms or abuse symptoms. Your loved one may act "like a different person" during therapy or with people involved with therapy, or even all the time.[73] While therapy may not be the cause, take it seriously, especially if you see other signs of something being wrong.[74] [75] Watch for...
    • Increased meltdowns
    • Heightened anxiety; decreased trust of adults
    • Loss of skills
    • Extreme behavior: demanding, aggressive, extremely compliant, withdrawn, listless
    • Suicidal thoughts[76]
    • Increased distress before, during, or after therapy
    • Aggression, if it was never a serious problem before[77]
    • Other changes in mood, skill, or behavior[78]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Examining Your Relationship with the Therapist

This section applies if you interact with the therapist.

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    1
    Be wary of false promises and disaster rhetoric. A bad therapist may be dishonest with you, manipulate you, or make promises that they do not deliver on. They may wave off concerns, blame you, or blame your loved one if things do not go as they say. Look for these issues:
    • Autism is lifelong. Your loved one cannot be "cured" of autism. "Losing their diagnosis" is not necessarily an optimal outcome, especially if it means that the person is constantly suppressing their feelings and desires.
    • Autistic people are very diverse.[79] There is a common saying in the autistic community: "If you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person." Autism is a spectrum, meaning it affects people in different ways. A one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to meet your loved one's individual needs.
    • Other good therapies do exist. If a therapy claims that it is the "chemotherapy of autism," or that all other therapies are bogus, your therapist is not being honest. Quitting ABA is not dooming your child.[80]
    • ABA teaches some tasks better than others. It can be useful to teach physical skills like getting dressed or tapping shoulders to get someone's attention. Since it is data-driven, it does not work as well for teaching speech or skills involving a mind-body disconnect (e.g. trying to point to the correct card).[81] [82]
    • Autistic people have real emotions. If your loved one is acting scared or in pain, it's probably because they are. They need empathy, not punishment.
    • Autism and happiness aren't mutually exclusive. Your loved one can live a happy, successful life and be autistic at the same time.
  2. Image titled Adult Blames Autistic Child.png
    2
    Notice how the therapist talks about autism and your loved one. Even if your loved one is nonspeaking and appears unresponsive, they can pick up on the therapist's words or attitude. A highly negative attitude can damage an autistic person's self-esteem, and may also suggest that the therapist is willing to mistreat them.
    • Calling autism a tragedy, horrible burden, life-destroying monster, etc.
    • Calling your loved one "manipulative" or blaming them for any issues that arise[83]
    • Urging you to punish the loved one more harshly[84]
  3. Image titled ABA Therapist Says Not to Comfort Crying Person.png
    3
    Pay attention to whether the therapist tells you not to comfort the autistic person. Radical behaviorism involves always responding negatively to "bad" behavior. The therapist may tell you to ignore behavior like crying, whining, flopping to the floor, or anything else that shows distress. Yet this is often when your loved one needs you most.
    • If you were to hurt yourself and say "ow," swear, or cry, other people would usually stop what they were doing to check on or comfort you. According to radical behaviorism, that's "rewarding the behavior" by caring for you instead of ignoring your pain.[85] But is it really so bad to teach someone that when they express distress, other people might come help and comfort them?
  4. Image titled Closed Door.png
    4
    Consider whether the therapist allows you to witness sessions at all. If the therapist is hurting your loved one (emotionally or physically), they may try to keep you from finding out.
    • The therapist may tell you that your presence would be a distraction, or that you would interfere. This is a serious red flag.[86]
    • If you are not allowed to see the sessions, but the therapist reports back, be aware that there is a possibility that they are distorting the truth or using tame euphemisms for ugly things.
  5. Image titled Child Talks to Friend with Down Syndrome.png
    5
    Pay attention if the therapist tells you to avoid other programs for your loved one. They might tell you to quit other therapies, or not to let your child join play groups or educational programs.[87] Don't listen to someone who wants to isolate you and your loved one from the rest of the world.
    • Kids and teens should be able to socialize with their peers (with adequate supervision if necessary), and you should be able to chat with other parents and caregivers.
  6. Image titled Concerned Young Woman Talks to Man.png
    6
    Think about whether the therapist listens to your concerns. As a parent, caregiver, or loved one, your instincts matter.[88] You can usually tell when something is wrong for your loved one. A good therapist will listen to any doubts and take them seriously, while a bad one may act defensive, wave them off, or pull rank.
    • A bad therapist might tell you not to trust your judgment. This is an enormous red flag. They may be an expert, but that does not mean that your thoughts mean nothing.
    • If you voice lasting disagreement, a bad therapist may try to turn other people against you.
  7. Image titled Woman and Child Walk Away from Angry Man.png
    7
    Trust your intuition. If you're getting a niggling feeling that something isn't right, then that is an important feeling worth exploring. If it seems wrong, don't be afraid to walk away. There are other therapists, both in ABA and other therapies. Don't settle for anything less than your loved one's happiness.
    • Some parents report that their kids are happier and less anxious once they quit ABA[89] [90] or reduced the number of hours of therapy.
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Warnings

  • There has been at least one instance of an ABA therapist calling Child Protective Services because a parent stopped ABA (even though ABA is not the only therapy for autism).[91] You may want to pretend that you are switching providers.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Not all ABA therapists are well trained.[92]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/ConventionRightsPersonsWithDisabilities.aspx#3
  2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6069847/
  3. ↑ https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/topics/autism-spectrum-disorder/the-consequences-of-compensation-in-autism/
  4. ↑ https://juststimming.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/quiet-hands/
  5. ↑ https://www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/viewpoint/stimming-therapeutic-autistic-people-deserves-acceptance/
  6. ↑ http://ollibean.com/2014/10/28/autism-and-eye-contact/
  7. ↑ http://www.thinkingautismguide.com/2017/05/eye-contact-for-recipients-validation.html?m=1
  8. ↑ https://neuroclastic.com/2020/02/27/should-we-force-autistic-kids-to-socialize/
  9. ↑ https://www.realsocialskills.org/blog/appearing-to-enjoy-behavior-modificiation-is-not
  1. ↑ http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/06/never-force-child-hug-people/
  2. ↑ http://loveacceptautistics.tumblr.com/post/99314703726/compliance-based-therapies-such-as-aba-leave
  3. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/03/27/is-aba-really-dog-training-for-children-a-professional-dog-trainer-weighs-in/
  4. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/03/28/invisible-abuse-aba-and-the-things-only-autistic-people-can-see/
  5. ↑ https://restlesshands42.wordpress.com/2014/11/22/breaking-down-aba-again-part-2-goals-and-underlying-philosophy/
  6. ↑ https://lifehiswayblog.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/changing-the-child-vs-helping-the-child/
  7. ↑ https://www.uri.edu/tedx/talks/amy-laurent-rethinking-support-for-autistic-individuals/
  8. ↑ https://musingsofanaspie.com/2013/01/31/emotional-dysfunction-alexithymia-and-asd/
  9. ↑ https://kirstenlindsmith.wordpress.com/2016/02/05/the-dark-side-of-the-stim-self-injury-and-destructive-habits/
  10. ↑ https://www.spdstar.org/node/1137
  11. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upU-dc19Tawc
  12. ↑ https://therapistndc.org/social-skills-training/
  13. ↑ https://deepcontemplationblog.wordpress.com/2019/07/29/how-to-teach-pragmatic-language-without-being-ableist/
  14. ↑ http://www.thinkingautismguide.com/2019/02/the-meaning-of-self-advocacy.html
  15. ↑ https://therapistndc.org/why-teach-perspective-taking-neurodiversity-acceptance/
  16. ↑ http://stimmyabby.tumblr.com/post/93506124680/aba-teaches-kids-how-not-to-communicate (More relaxed versions of ABA may look different from this; watch some sessions if you're unsure)
  17. ↑ https://www.realsocialskills.org/blog/aac-does-not-replace-nonverbal-communication
  18. ↑ https://emmashopebook.com/2013/03/07/presume-competence-what-does-that-mean-exactly/
  19. ↑ http://themighty.com/2015/04/i-have-nonverbal-autism-heres-what-i-want-you-to-know/
  20. ↑ https://monadelahooke.com/being-nonverbal-doesnt-mean-i-cant-think/
  21. ↑ https://emmashopebook.com/2014/03/18/when-the-body-does-not-obey-the-mind/
  22. ↑ http://autismwomensnetwork.org/my-uncooperative-body/
  23. ↑ http://idoinautismland.com/?p=4
  24. ↑ https://sociallyanxiousadvocate.wordpress.com/2015/05/22/why-i-left-aba/
  25. ↑ https://madasbirdsblog.wordpress.com/2017/04/03/i-abused-children-for-a-living/
  26. ↑ http://loveexplosions.net/2013/09/15/touch-nose-gummi-bear-what-is-aba-and-why-does-it-suck/
  27. ↑ http://unstrangemind.com/what-does-helpful-vs-harmful-therapy-look-like/
  28. ↑ http://www.thinkingautismguide.com/2014/10/dr-jonine-biesman-avoiding-crises.html
  29. ↑ https://deanneshoyer.com/2015/06/16/aba-and-autism-the-thorny-problem-of-control-and-consent/
  30. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/great-kids-great-parents/201204/self-awareness-and-language-saying-yes-no
  31. ↑ http://loveacceptautistics.tumblr.com/post/99314703726/compliance-based-therapies-such-as-aba-leave
  32. ↑ https://deanneshoyer.com/2015/06/16/aba-and-autism-the-thorny-problem-of-control-and-consent/
  33. ↑ https://www.rethinkingschools.org/articles/they-deserve-good-teaching-too
  34. ↑ http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/05/schools-behavior-discipline-collaborative-proactive-solutions-ross-greene
  35. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/notes/amythest-schaber/then-we-did-it-again-and-again-and-again/1632106577053627
  36. ↑ https://tash.org/advocacy-issues/human-rights/
  37. ↑ http://neurodiversity.com/aversives.html
  38. ↑ http://ink-and-daggers.tumblr.com/post/112076858794/im-sorry-but-thats-not-earning-your-token
  39. ↑ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311908.2019.1641258
  40. ↑ https://monadelahooke.com/the-hidden-costs-of-planned-ignoring/
  41. ↑ https://whyhaventtheydonethatyet.wordpress.com/2018/07/03/moving-beyond-planned-ignore-and-proximity-prase-strategies-to-address-challenging-behaviors/
  42. ↑ http://unstrangemind.com/aba/
  43. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/03/28/invisible-abuse-aba-and-the-things-only-autistic-people-can-see/
  44. ↑ https://www.rethinkingschools.org/articles/they-deserve-good-teaching-too
  45. ↑ https://twitter.com/AspieHuman/status/1227819151210749952
  46. ↑ https://www.rethinkingschools.org/articles/they-deserve-good-teaching-too
  47. ↑ https://intheloopaboutneurodiversity.wordpress.com/2019/03/23/red-flags-of-early-intervention-for-autism/
  48. ↑ http://unstrangemind.com/what-does-helpful-vs-harmful-therapy-look-like/
  49. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/07/03/mothers-aba-experience/
  50. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/03/28/invisible-abuse-aba-and-the-things-only-autistic-people-can-see/
  51. ↑ http://unstrangemind.com/what-does-helpful-vs-harmful-therapy-look-like/
  52. ↑ https://deanneshoyer.com/2015/06/16/aba-and-autism-the-thorny-problem-of-control-and-consent
  53. ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/aba-therapy-hidden-camera-1.3597575
  54. ↑ http://ink-and-daggers.tumblr.com/post/112076858794/im-sorry-but-thats-not-earning-your-token
  55. ↑ http://unstrangemind.com/aba/
  56. ↑ https://twitter.com/AspieHuman/status/1195874683574509568
  57. ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/aba-therapy-hidden-camera-1.3597575
  58. ↑ http://www.speakforyourself.org/2014/02/22/accept-behavior-towards-non-autistic-child/
  59. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/11/11/i-worked-at-an-aba-clinic-it-was-abuse/
  60. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/03/27/is-aba-really-dog-training-for-children-a-professional-dog-trainer-weighs-in/
  61. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/03/28/invisible-abuse-aba-and-the-things-only-autistic-people-can-see/
  62. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-raise-happy-cooperative-child/201710/understanding-childrens-emotional-needs
  63. ↑ https://sociallyanxiousadvocate.wordpress.com/2015/05/22/why-i-left-aba/
  64. ↑ http://loveexplosions.net/2013/09/13/touch-nose-gummi-bear-aba-in-our-family/
  65. ↑ http://www.astraeasweb.net/politics/aba.html
  66. ↑ https://intheloopaboutneurodiversity.wordpress.com/2019/03/23/red-flags-of-early-intervention-for-autism/
  67. ↑ http://ink-and-daggers.tumblr.com/post/125936427334/my-name-is-christine-and-i-work-with-children-with
  68. ↑ http://unstrangemind.com/what-does-helpful-vs-harmful-therapy-look-like/
  69. ↑ https://restlesshands42.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/breaking-down-aba-again-part-1-ethics-standards-and-side-effects/
  70. ↑ https://spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/genetics-first-a-fresh-take-on-autisms-diversity/
  71. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/05/27/aba-rhetoric-difficult-choices-for-parents/
  72. ↑ https://restlesshands42.wordpress.com/2014/11/06/breaking-down-aba/
  73. ↑ http://idoinautismland.com/?p=376
  74. ↑ http://emmashopebook.com/2012/10/10/tackling-that-troublesome-issue-of-aba-and-ethics/
  75. ↑ https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubpdfs/whatiscan.pdf
  76. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/03/28/invisible-abuse-aba-and-the-things-only-autistic-people-can-see/
  77. ↑ http://www.astraeasweb.net/politics/aba.html
  78. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/07/18/unapologetically-non-compliant/
  79. ↑ http://emmashopebook.com/2012/10/10/tackling-that-troublesome-issue-of-aba-and-ethics/
  80. ↑ https://www.parents.com/health/special-needs-now/is-aba-therapy-the-best-choice-for-kids-with-autism/
  81. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/07/18/unapologetically-non-compliant/
  82. ↑ https://theaspergian.com/2019/07/18/unapologetically-non-compliant/
  83. ↑ https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/low-standards-corrode-quality-popular-autism-therapy/
  84. The Misbehaviour of Behaviourists (paper by Michelle Dawson)
  85. Neurowonderful: The basics of ABA and good therapy
  86. Ask an Autistic: Compliance Training (subtitled video)
  87. On Autism: Whom to Trust, and Whom to Avoid Like the Plague (deals with organizations and quacks)
  88. http://loveexplosions.net/resources-compliance-aba-social-skills-indistinguishability-whole-body-listening/ (recommended reading list)
  89. Therapist Neurodiversity Collective (collective of autistic-friendly therapists)
  90. http://emmashopebook.com/2014/07/24/alone-frightened-worried/
  91. Love Explosions: Caregiver Burnout tips to live by

About This Article

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Written by:
Luna Rose
Community Expert
This article was written by Luna Rose. Luna Rose is an autistic community member who specializes in writing and autism. She holds a degree in Informatics and has spoken at college events to improve understanding about disabilities. Luna Rose leads wikiHow's Autism Project. This article has been viewed 198,405 times.
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Co-authors: 23
Updated: December 2, 2022
Views: 198,405
Categories: Supporting Autistic People | Raising Children with Special Needs

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The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

Telling if an autism ABA therapy is harmful or helpful can be challenging given how controversial the therapy is. The goal of therapy should be to help your loved one gain the skills to live a happy and comfortable life, so a good therapist should value the person’s individuality and mental health. The therapist should not force the person to fake signs of happiness or train them to hug and kiss under pressure. Moreover, they shouldn't try to train autistics traits, like toe walking, avoiding eye contact, or keeping a quiet social life, out of your loved one. If you fear that your loved one is being pushed too hard or is being trained to assimilate, then you may want to consider seeking help from a different therapist. To learn how to evaluate whether your loved one feels safe in therapy, keep reading.

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