Misconceptions of ABA

People often say things such as “but I thought ABA involved feeding children” or “but I thought children are drilled at a table for ABA”. These are just two of the very common misconceptions and misunderstandings that we hear on a regular basis. ABA, like all other sciences, has evolved over the years and is now a much better, much more effective science. Allow us to explain some misconceptions:

ABA is when a child sits at a table and is asked lots of different questions really quickly.

FICTION.

What may be being described here is discrete trial training (DTT). This is indeed is a teaching technique that is sometimes used within ABA programs however this is one of many techniques and it is not implemented for all children and has specific uses. Let’s talk about the sitting at the table – yes at some points as children progress through therapy they may be asked to sit at table. This is an important skill to learn, however this is not, and should not be the only place therapy takes place. ABA is not restricted to one environment. During early intervention programs therapy is skillfully woven into fun, creative motivating play session, which is completed anywhere (within reason!) the child is motivated to play and engage. An ABA program will take advantage of naturally occurring learning opportunities, meaning that therapists will provide teaching in the setting when the skill will naturally occur; the playroom, garden, bathroom as well as at the shops and in the park.

ABA therapy is a new treatment for autism. 

FICTON. 

Some people fear that ABA is a new form of treatment for children with autism and that it is not a tried and tested methodology. This is not true. The foundations of the principles of ABA can be traced as far back as the late 1950’s and early 1960’s with research on animal behavior. B.F. Skinner, who spurred the development of what is now known as behavior analysis, never intended it to be a science of animal behavior. He proposed “that the techniques of behavior analysis should be extended to explain and change the behavior of people in everyday arenas such as education, work, clinical problems, and social behavior.”  In 1970, Ivar Lovaas expanded upon Skinner’s work and applied it to children with autism.

Also, ABA is not just a treatment for autism. As well as helping people with autism and related disorders it’s principles can be applied to a huge variety of everyday socially important problems such as obsessive compulsive behaviors, quitting smoking, increasing healthy lifestyles, phobias and language development.

ABA is a science, and as with all sciences, they progress and their ‘best’ practice changes as new research is conducted and knowledge increases. In this respect ABA is no different to any other science. The frustrating part for us is that critics will continue to rely on dragging up outdated, no longer used procedures to criticize ABA.

So here are the first two misconceptions, we hope they have answered some of the questions you had. If not please drop us an email and we would love to try again!  Over the next few weeks we will carry on myth busting, but in the meantime if you have a burning question about something you have read, seen or been told about ABA then please get in contact.