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paulwag3682 karma

I did not mean to say that ABA does not have its place in treatment, however in the area where I am practicing ABA had saturated into the school, home, and community of many of my clients. ABA is a direct descendent of behaviorism. The approach that stated that any behavior can be taught through positive and negative reinforcement and punishment. It is also the method that B. F. Skinner used to teach rats to pull a lever. So yes we a achieving the behavior that we want, but not addressing the psychological and cognitive aspects behind that behavior. Say you were to look at this from a nihilistic perspective, in that nothing has intrinsic value. Then the skill is taught and the only value associated with this skill is the reinforcer that it is paired with. Now we have this skill on a consistent basis, but when we fade the reinforcer what is left. A skill that has no value for the clients. This is when other techniques such as existential and humanistic approaches can help instill a sense of value for this skill. ABA is very effective at transferring skills, but that's about where it stops. It is a very useful tool in a clinicians repertoire, but should not be seen as the end all be all that it is presented as at least in my area.

Edit* And the part where your child is "engaged and loved by his therapist" is a humanistic approach. ABA dictates that no matter who is presenting the skill, as long as the reinforcement is motivating enough no bond needs to be formed.

paulwag3681 karma

What are your thought on an existential humanistic approach to treating individuals with autism?

paulwag3681 karma

Thank you! I am a clinician for a group therapy program for kiddos on the spectrum, and I cannot tell you how fed up I am with ABA. These are people we are working with first and foremost. Let's treat them like it. That's what I'm trying to implement as many humanistic approaches as I can in treatment.