ABA & Trauma

  Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, despite its widespread adoption as a treatment for autism, warrants critical examination, particularly from the perspective of those subjected to it. 

ABA is founded on the principles of behaviorism, which aim to modify behavior through reinforcement and, historically, punishment. 

ABA is compliance and coercion used as a tool. It is under review for it's claims and it's true effects. Positive rewards timed well do not need regimented coercion and force.

While proponents tout its ability to instill "desirable" behaviors and reduce those deemed maladaptive, many autistic individuals have reported profoundly aversive experiences, with some even developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result. 

To understand this, we must explore both the mechanics of ABA and its impact on the lived experience of the autistic person.

At its core, ABA seeks to train autistic individuals to conform to neurotypical standards of behavior, often prioritizing compliance over autonomy.

 Tasks such as maintaining eye contact or suppressing stimming behaviors—actions which may serve as vital self-regulation tools for the autistic individual—are often targeted for modification. This means, no matter how well intentioned- that parents have a big problem with acceptance and love for the unique child. 

Parent's often don't realise this at all as therapists push the negativity about the condition in order to justify their roles and get paid- when they should be showing parents how to understand autistic thought and perspectives- square pegs in round holes?!

For many, this aba amounts to a systematic erasure of the childs' natural ways of being. 

This process can feel dehumanizing, as it implicitly communicates that their authentic self-expression is unacceptable.

Encouraging the use of AAC's and self-help though- absolutely

ABA’s rigid structure can make it inherently coercive.

Autistic children, who are often the primary recipients of ABA, may not fully understand why they are being subjected to certain interventions.

 They may comply not out of genuine comprehension or agreement, but to avoid negative reinforcement or to earn fleeting rewards. 

Such practices risk overriding an individual’s natural boundaries, leading to a profound sense of *disempowerment and vulnerability* when self empowerment is the very thing we need strengthen!!

 When compliance is enforced repeatedly, especially in the absence of true agency, it can create a traumatic imprint.

The trauma associated with ABA often arises from the dissonance between the autistic person's inner experience and the external demand to suppress or reshape it. 

PTSD symptoms reported by some individuals include flashbacks, heightened anxiety, and distrust of authority figures. 

These symptoms are not incidental; they reveal the deep psychological cost of being treated as a problem to be fixed rather than as a person to be understood.

In the pursuit of "normalcy," ABA can inadvertently strip individuals of their authenticity and autonomy. 

A more compassionate approach would prioritize understanding and respecting autistic perspectives, embracing diversity rather than seeking to erase it. 

Only then can we hope to avoid the unintended harm caused by well-meaning but ultimately flawed interventions.

Liz Lucy Robillard, 2025