What the heck is ABA part 4: Common Misconceptions
Now that we’ve talked about the what and how of ABA and why it can look so different, let’s straighten out some common misconceptions. Perhaps you’ve heard people talk about ABA in a pretty negative way, or maybe you've had a bad experience in a particular ABA therapy. Let’s unpack some ABA myths and truths.
1. ABA therapy teaches children to be robotic.
Sometimes when people think of ABA, they think of the very early (think: 1980’s) Discrete Trial Teaching, which shows children looking pretty disengaged at a table, doing drill and practice exercises in exchange for small snacks. These videos are outdated and don’t reflect the current state of ABA. ABA therapy takes place in a variety of settings (not just at the table!) and should use social reinforcement in addition to tangible reinforcements like snacks or toys. Although ABA therapy should offer your child plenty of opportunities to practice, a child should never look disengaged or robotic. ABA therapy should be individualized to your child’s specific needs and interests so that they enjoy going to ABA therapy and they learn skills that are important and functional in their daily lives.
At Ascend, we specialize in the Early Start Denver Model, which uses play and daily routines to teach new skills. ESDM really focuses on building a relationship between the therapist and the child; it should never look cold, robotic, or boring!
2. ABA uses too many rewards, especially food rewards.
It’s true that ABA uses rewards as a part of teaching (see this post about the ABC’s of ABA therapy). However, tangible or edible rewards, like preferred snacks, should always be paired with social rewards (high fives, “good job!”, tickles), and over time, the therapist should rely more heavily on those social rewards. It’s also important to know that you are an important part of your child’s therapy plan; if you don’t want food to be used as a reward, then that is your choice! Talk to your ABA provider. They will likely complete what is known as a preference assessment to identify other possible things that your child finds rewarding.
3. ABA punishes children or children in ABA hear “No” all the time.
You might hear the word “punishment” as one of those ABA jargon words, but all that means is that your therapist wants to create a consequence to a child’s maladaptive behavior the reduces the likelihood of that happening again. This doesn’t mean physical punishment or saying the word “no,” but it might mean ignoring some behaviors (like tantrums). However, if your ABA therapist is trying to reduce problematic behavior, make sure that they are teaching a replacement behavior. Remember that each behavior serves a purpose, so in order to reduce a behavior, we need to replace it with a more functional behavior.
4. ABA isn’t for very young children OR ABA isn’t for older children.
ABA therapy has been used with people of all ages. As mentioned above, there are different types of ABA, and some might be more appropriate for certain ages. For example, the Early Start Denver Model is intended for children ages 0-5 years. The type and amount of ABA should fit the person’s needs.
5. ABA is only effective if it’s 40 hours per week.
This is certainly not true. In fact, 40 hours a week is not appropriate for many children. Remember that although ABA therapy can look like play, it is also work for your child. A child, especially a young child, should not be expected to work for 40 hours a week. The amount of ABA needed varies widely from person to person, depending on their individual’s needs. For some, that means one hour per week, and for others, that means 20 hours per week.
6. ABA is only for people with autism.
ABA therapy has been used for all types of people of all ages, including those with developmental disabilities, ADHD, and Down syndrome. It’s also been used in therapies for adults who are recovering from TBI/stroke or dementia, seeking health and fitness goals, and treating different addictions. The principles of ABA are simple principles about learning and are not specific to individuals with autism.
That wraps up our ABA blog post series. If you want to know more about the ABA that we provide at Ascend, check out here or here. Or feel free to contact us for more info!
