Let’s Talk About Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis is a branch of science that focuses on human behavior and how we learn. It is a relatively young field of science and definitely has a lot to work on. ABA is used mostly with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and usually with children in the early years of learning. Research has started to show effectiveness with this science across all ages. Nevertheless, it still recommends therapy to be used as an early intervention. ABA uses the principles of learning to teach SOCIALLY SIGNIFICANT skills that help to increase independence within their life. It is also used to decrease behaviors of concern or challenging behaviors as some would call them. These include harmful behaviors to self or others, property destruction, and certain behaviors that interfere with their daily independence. It achieves this by replacing them with more appropriate and safe behaviors.

Over recent years, more and more stories of harmful and/or abusive practices of ABA have come to the light. Some individuals entrusted with this science have used it incredibly poorly. Now others in the field, who are trying to use it for good are deemed guilty by association. Some members of society harbor strong hatred towards people working in ABA, to the point of condemnation. Those voices have been heard! The field has been making efforts to recognize, deal with, punish, and correct these bad practices. Nonetheless, just like ANY job field, there will be bad people in it. Still, there are also good people doing this work. The ABA section of Vine and Victory aims to discuss the parts of ABA that need correction. It will focus on how ABA professionals can truly make change in a positive way. This discussion is open to everyone, regardless if readers are Christ followers or not. You don’t have to be a Christian to agree that humans are valuable.

If you are someone that has had a bad experience with ABA, I am truly sorry! I am sorry that those entrusted to help you didn’t protect you. They didn’t treat you as the valuable human being that you are. They failed. Nothing that gets discussed here has the intention to negate those that have been hurt. The intention is to impact change in the field by hopefully changing the hearts of those working in the field. Yes, external behaviors need to change, 100 percent! But the heart can be changed also and that will ultimately lead to outward change. That’s the goal here!

Please be respectful when communicating with the Vine and Victory team as we will do the same to you!