Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy teaches children with autism appropriate social behaviors they may not be able to acquire otherwise. The observer identifies what "triggers" inappropriate behavior, what reinforces that behavior, and then teaches the child an appropriate replacement behavior that serves the same purpose.

However, some believe that ABA does more than harm than good. Their argument is that the therapy teaches people with autism to mimic typical behavior with no understanding of it and suppresses natural behavior. The practice is barbaric, causing post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression later in life. Michelle Dawson, a person with autism, elaborates in this article (read "Ethical challenges to behavior analysis" section).

Dr. Michael Morrier of Emory University's Autism Center explains ABA here.

This website provides more information on ABA therapy.

In your opinion, is ABA an effective therapy for children with autism? Why or why not?

-Britany Barnes, Shelly Peterson, Lauren Stevenson, Cassie Stoneman, Mike Thomas