Applied Behavior Analysis

A therapeutic approach based on behavioral psychology principles that aims to increase desired behaviors and decrease undesired ones through systematic reinforcement. ABA is widely used as an intervention for autistic children, particularly in the United States. While proponents cite evidence for improving communication and daily living skills, ABA has been extensively critiqued by autistic self-advocates and disability scholars for attempting to suppress natural autistic behaviors like stimming, prioritizing neurotypical conformity over autistic well-being, and causing psychological harm. The controversy around ABA reflects broader tensions between medical model approaches that seek to "treat" autism and neurodiversity perspectives that accept autism as natural human variation.