ABA Misconceptions: Breaking the Stigma

Though everyone has different experiences, those with the worst situations tend to be the loudest. This can lead to a stigma around a helpful environment, which makes it extremely important to research any new program before joining. In this article, several misunderstandings or misconceptions with Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy will be addressed.

Written by: Jessie Drogemuller

As parents begin looking at services that could assist their children who struggle with development or socialization, it can be difficult to see past the negatives or the caution stories presented by others. All children deserve to have a learning environment that is suitable to their needs and an ABA program is there to assist their clients with growth and comfort. The owners of Little Mittens want to address some common myths surrounding the field about which they are passionate. Listed below are the stigmas and why they are misconceptions.

ABA is too tough on kids and doesn't consider emotions. It is too repetitive and doesn't necessarily apply to real life scenarios.

When appropriately applied, ABA helps children embrace their emotions and work through the heightened emotion. Little Mittens knows that not every day is going to be easy on their clients, but they take it step by step until an action is an instinct and the process is easier to maneuver independently. In a situation in which a child becomes frustrated with repetition, it is time to move to a different skill and approach that goal another time. The goal is to take moments of inconvenience or stress in everyday life and delete the frustration for the client. 

Too much time needs to be committed to sessions; it is basically a full time job at 40 hours a week. 

Ultimately, the session schedule depends on the needs of the client. Every individual is different, but the average at Little Mittens is 15 hours per week. Sessions last between two and four hours and meet up to five times a week. If a family cannot commit that much time to sessions, the Little Mittens staff works with them on a schedule that fits their specific needs. 

In the future, Little Mittens hopes to have their own facility and allow for peer interactions and events. Although, owners Emily and Jamie do not believe in putting the kids through 40 hours of sessions a week. To do that adds exhaustion, distraction, and disinterest to sessions which does not benefit anyone involved. 

ABA focuses on eliminating differences and trying to cure autism.

Those working in ABA are fully aware that there is no cure for autism and are in no way trying to diminish their clients. They acknowledge what makes each individual unique and different only adds to who they are as a person and that autism does not define their personality. With ABA therapy, the professionals are merely trying to supply their clients with the tools to make interactions easier so they can perform them with more confidence. ABA therapy has been compared to learning a new language, just because a student is attempting a new way to communicate it doesn’t take away from the language they are proficient and comfortable with using. ABA helps clients bloom and develop pride in their interactions with others. 

ABA turns children into robots.

It may be thought that ABA simply follows one set of goals and expectations for all clients; that each client goes through the exact same session as all clients. However, in ABA sessions the behavior analyst is able to individualize each session to their specific client. The focus isn’t on repeating facts or focusing on memorization, but on emphasizing understanding and self-advocacy. 

If a child is asked to memorize a safety statement or a helpful piece of information like a phone number, name, or address, the analyst will go over the importance behind the learning. They emphasize sharing a connection so that the client is aware how important the information is and the correct time to share it. Additionally, the analyst will focus on helping clients express themselves in a way that can be clearly communicated; their emotions, their needs, their likes and dislikes. ABA works on skills that create a positive environment for their clients to process and share their communications.

ABA creates goals for their clients without considering the family or lifestyle of the clients.

This is actually not the case at all, especially at Little Mittens; the staff understands how much life can affect even the calmest of days and want to work with clients to make ABA a help and not an inconvenience. At the start of working with any client and their family, Emily and Jamie plan out schedules, goals, and expectations with them. Throughout the journey together, it is also important to check in and adjust as necessary. 

ABA only addresses behavioral issues but ignores cognitive, emotional, and social issues.

Ultimately “behavioral issues” are often the result of an inability to clearly express oneself. ABA therapy empowers individuals to share their feelings, their boundaries, their thoughts, and their needs in an effective and efficient way. In being proactive, there will most likely be fewer of what can be seen as “behavioral issues”. It can be incredibly frustrating to feel unseen or misunderstood, which can result in an overwhelming amount of emotions coming out at once. Once a child understands how to advocate for what they need physically or emotionally, the frustration levels are lower.

ABA therapy is only sitting at a table and running through drills. 

There are many different strategies that behavior analysts may implement in their sessions. Currently, with Little Mittens running home-based sessions, they are able to take the Natural Environment Training method into their sessions. This involves following a client in an environment they are comfortable and adapting the sessions around that environment. The learning style goes with the lifestyle they are already accustomed to, but gives them the skills to develop outside of the comfort zone. There may be drills to run though, but taking a play based and fun approach is far more beneficial with the Little Mittens crew. 

ABA uses food and toys to bribe kids to do things.

Often, the positive reinforcement used in ABA can be seen as bribes. However, using positive reinforcement focuses on rewarding rather than bargaining. When a client performs a difficult task or a new skill they may receive a sticker or a high five or a small form of reward. Bribes are often given before a task is completed or simply to get the child to participate which sends a bad message. 

Unfortunately the stigma around ABA can lead parents to avoid programs that can help not only their children, but the family as a whole. These therapy sessions are structured to develop long term independence and strength in ability and communication. Similar to those looking to learn a new skill, ABA sessions give the confidence to share those new skills with the world. If you are looking into different ABA resources in Oakland, Livingston or Washtenaw counties, reach out to Little Mittens Autism Center for information and read more articles on their website to learn about their approach to sessions.