The Problem with Applied Behavior Analysis | Chloe Everett | TEDxUNCAsheville
Imagine not being allowed to do harmless things, such as tapping your foot or express happiness. This is the reality that many people on the autism spectrum face, and it has a name: applied behavioral analysis. Autistic activists and their allies have long spoken out against this therapy, and science is finally beginning to back their claims.
Chloe Everett is a student at UNC-Asheville, where she studies psychology and neuroscience. Chloe is a staunch advocate for disability rights and neurodiversity. She has experience working with people on the autism spectrum, and is neurodivergent herself. Chloe is dedicated to using her experiences growing up in the behavioral therapy system to better assist others, and improve existing therapies for autism. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
46 Comments
Thank you.
Thank you so much for this video. It was very interesting.
Informative.
Thank you very much so much for this video. Very interesting.
Thank you very much so much for this video. It was very instructive.
Thank you for sharing your perspective and raising these important ethical considerations within ABA; it's crucial to prioritize individual well-being and autonomy over rigid adherence to outdated or harmful practices. Let's continue to advocate for compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming approaches that truly support autistic individuals. We all have a responsibility to ensure that ABA practices are continually evolving to be more ethical and respectful.
Thank you so much.
Very informative
Thank you.
Very instructive
Thank you for bravely sharing your perspective. It's crucial that we continue these conversations and critically examine the history and ongoing practices of ABA to ensure ethical and neurodiversity-affirming care for autistic individuals. Let's strive to create a future where therapy supports authentic self-expression and well-being, not conformity.
Informative.
It was very interesting
I just got a job offer to be one of those technicians. Little do they know I'm neurodivergent as well. We'd both be sitting there stimming and getting overly emotional. This idea that we need to demand autistic people or anyone do whatever we say is crazy.
Well done. This is a valuable account. Thank you.
It's disheartening to hear about the potential for harm within ABA, but also encouraging to see so many professionals dedicated to ethical and individualized approaches that prioritize the child's well-being and authentic self-expression. Let's continue to advocate for practices that truly empower neurodivergent individuals rather than forcing conformity.
I used to work in an ABA nursery school. I hated when my co-worker kept forcing this boys shoes and sometimes socks back onto his feet. I felt I had to do that to him to keep my job.
The stimming suppression therapy wastes a lot of the student's time meant for learning how to read or write letters.
If the function of stimming is to regulate ones emotions then what is it called when an autistic child sits with his/her desired straw, book, or picture in his/her hand and blankly stares at it?
This is such a crucial conversation, and it's heartening to see so many professionals in the field reflecting on the ethics and impact of ABA practices, especially concerning stimming and forced conformity. Hopefully, future therapists will prioritize understanding and respecting neurodiversity over outdated ideas of "normal."
Thank you for sharing your perspective and experiences; it's so important to continue questioning and evolving practices in fields like ABA to truly prioritize the well-being and autonomy of neurodivergent individuals. We need to constantly reflect on the potential for harm, even in well-intentioned approaches, and advocate for therapies that celebrate neurodiversity rather than trying to suppress it. Let's keep
This is a crucial conversation, and it's encouraging to see so many current ABA practitioners acknowledging the field's past shortcomings and striving for ethical, individualized, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. Let's continue to prioritize the voices and well-being of autistic individuals in shaping the future of ABA and ensure that it truly empowers them to thrive.
This is a crucial conversation about the history and potential harm of ABA, and it's inspiring to see future therapists like myself actively working to dismantle its problematic aspects and prioritize the well-being and individuality of neurodivergent individuals. Thank you for sharing your perspective and experiences; it is important to me as someone within the ASD community who plans to study ABA.
This video has really opened my eyes to the potential harm even well-intentioned therapies can inflict, and it reinforces the importance of listening to and centering the voices of autistic individuals in their own care. We need to prioritize ethical, individualized approaches that respect neurodiversity and promote genuine well-being.
Well said. You really highlight the problem of ABA, you are very specific, give great examples and get to the heart of the need to control others as the basic problem with ABA. I have been looking for a job and a local clinic is advertising working with kids but says that you have to use ABA – no thanks. While I'm poor, I do not need a job controlling people for a living – especially children. .
Thank you for this insightful talk; it's so important to critically examine the history and impact of ABA and to prioritize the perspectives and well-being of autistic individuals in shaping its future. We need to ensure that therapies support autonomy and celebrate neurodiversity, not suppress it. Let's continue this crucial conversation and work towards a more ethical and empowering approach.
I'm definitely pro fingerpointing at abuse. Which ABA is.
Thank you for shedding light on the potential harms of ABA and emphasizing the importance of ethical, individualized, and neurodiversity-affirming practices. It's crucial to listen to autistic voices and prioritize their well-being and authentic self-expression above all else. Let's work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting world where neurodivergent individuals can thrive.
This video highlights the urgent need for continuous ethical reflection and evolution within ABA, emphasizing that genuine support means celebrating neurodiversity, not suppressing it. We must prioritize the voices and experiences of autistic individuals to ensure that interventions truly empower and promote well-being.
This is a vital conversation that highlights the need for constant vigilance and ethical practice within ABA, ensuring it truly serves the individual's well-being and autonomy, not just perceived societal norms. Thank you for adding your voice to this important dialogue.
It is EXTREMELY crazy how often the ADA is violated.
She forgets to mention, that those children in early ABA treatment would otherwise end up in an institution, being electroshocked and medicated to a vegetative state. ABA greatly changed since then.
7:22 i get the point but this quote feels like a very very shallow view of skinner’s work.. he wanted to study the effects of reinforcement and punishment on behavior, not treat the behaviors themselves as “right” or “wrong”
I got epilepsy as a result of applied behavioural analysis I endured back in 1971-1974. I had my first epileptic seizure in May 19th-20th 1974. As I cognitively developed and my academic work. as my knowledge of science grew, my epilepsy got worse and seizures more frequent. Masking also triggered epileptic seizures as well. I have been in an epileptic remission for 15 years thanks to cannabis edibles I make. I also likely have been traumatised by beating by my dad for stimming or echolalia. My mum used bribes/smarties as done in ABA and I also grew up in a household with domestic violence as well. I can't see a difference good ABA bad ABA no difference it is all bad if it gave me of epilepsy. I was diagnosed autistic in 2003
I currently work as an RBT at Action Behavior Centers. What no one there knows is that I too am on the spectrum. I leave work everyday feeling sickened and ashamed of myself. The only reason I stay is so I can assert my ideas of what needs to change for these kids.
Thank god I found this video! My daughter is autistic, and they keep trying to push this ABA therapy on us. Saying it’s great and it really helps. I don’t think I will be taking my daughter to anything like this. Thank you to this young woman for sharing her story with the world. I could see it was really hard for her to recall these things and speak about them to total strangers. That took a lot of courage and the world is a better place because of her courage.
This is heart breaking 💔
I’m currently working on training to become an RBT with Action Behavior Centers. Could anyone who’s experienced ABA therapy as an autistic person share what their experience was like; what things were helpful and what harmed you? From what little I’ve seen of my center, we seem to focus more on reducing harmful behaviors by getting to the root of the problem and helping kiddos cope in a productive way (this coping may include stimming so long as it’s not causing harm) instead of just bullying them into masking, but I’d like to hear some other perspectives from neurodivergent folks on whether this approach might still have the potential to do more harm than good
You killed it girl!! ❤🎉
Maybe it's not the concepts that must change. I think that's about being more sensitive and compassionate with those you help…
Thank you for such a great TedTalk!
I’m a neurodivergent person who is about to start her masters in ABA next week. There is value in ABA. It’s just created by idiots who were unempathetic and neurotypical. When I am a BCBA, I plan to create programs to teach children how to self regulate and navigate the world. We need people who get it to revolutionise this field.
I think it is CRUCIAL to explain neurodivergent peoples' behavioral "problems" as communicating that the person is in PAIN. I think it might be difficult for neurotypical people to dismiss the concept of psychological and emotional pain, but that is the whole world those with sensitivities endure. They may not be experiencing any PHYSICAL pain, but their internal state is nonetheless painful. Understanding this concept, perhaps, would allow many to understand the reasoning behind neurodivergent behaviors.
Late diagnosed autistic here! I was subject to abuse by my parents if I stimmed or didn't formally greet or show affection I didn't feel! I absolutely hate them for it! At the same time, I can see the opportunities I missed because my social skills sucked! I was simply not aware of how my behaviour negatively affected others & unfortunately because I spoke private school English (another thing my parents would punish if I failed to do), people thought I knew & didn't care!
Very proud to work for an ABA place that does NOT TEACH MASKING.
STIMMING IS A LEGITIMATE DESTRESS STRATEGY.
there's lots of other things about the business I am not proud of, but that just how employees are treated, not clients.
It's also pretty hard to say that it didn't help her. She's literally doing ted talks … That's amazing ❤