Myth 1: ABA is only effective for people with autism.
Applied behavior analysis is a powerful tool for helping individuals with all kinds of disabilities. In fact, ABA is used in a variety of contexts, including treating individuals with traumatic brain injuries. It has also been used in education, sports psychology, health and fitness, and in treating substance abuse disorders.
ABA can be effective in treating many conditions because it is based on studies on human behavior and how our brains react to stimuli. The goal of ABA is to teach clients new skills through positive reinforcement, which can be effective for anyone who needs behavioral interventions, not just those with autism.
Myth 2: Anyone can provide ABA therapy.
While it is true that anyone can utilize the concepts of ABA, only those with the appropriate credentials can provide this behavioral therapy in a clinical setting. To be an ABA therapist, one must be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA), a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), or hold the appropriate credentials as outlined in the requirements for eligibility by the state where the person is providing services.
Myth 3: ABA therapy encourages punishing children.
The foundation of ABA therapy is rewarding positive behavior, not punishing behaviors. While punishment may have been common practice as late as the 1950s, advancements in research have come a long way and have shown that punishment is not the most effective course of action for correcting a behavioral issue.
Myth 4: ABA is harmful and uses aversive procedures.
Some early behavioural and psychological methods sometimes used punishment procedures to treat severe challenging behaviour. In current ABA practice, punishment is rarely used and is generally discouraged. The emphasis is on the use of least intrusive methods first.
Punishment procedures (e.g., giving a child a time-out for hitting another child) are only used when all other reinforcement-based positive strategies have been attempted and the risk of harm is high for those behaviours that may cause harm to others or to the individual themselves (e.g., severe self-injury, physical aggression).
Additionally, if more punitive procedures are recommended, they can only be used with the written consent of the individual themselves or their caregivers. It is true, that any form of therapy, whether it is ABA or not, can be harmful if misapplied. However, ABA is not harmful when applied by qualified, trained, and properly supervised clinicians.
Myth 5: ABA Therapy Focuses Only on Behavior Control
Another misconception is that ABA therapy solely focuses on behavior control without considering underlying needs. In truth, ABA therapy takes a holistic approach, considering individual strengths, preferences, and motivations. It aims to address underlying deficits, improve communication, and enhance overall functioning.