November 25, 2024
Dear Ms. Hawkins,
I hope this message finds you well. On behalf of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT), we are writing in response to your article, “America’s Most Popular Autism Therapy May Not Work — and May Seriously Harm Patients’ Mental Health.” We appreciate the time and research you dedicated to addressing concerns about the well-being of children diagnosed with autism. However, we would like to clarify certain aspects of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that may have been misrepresented.
While we acknowledge the troubling experiences shared by some individuals in your article, it is important to differentiate between the improper administration of ABA and the treatment itself. The issues raised appear to stem primarily from the way ABA was applied rather than from the principles of the therapy. We do not dispute the harm that some individuals have unfortunately experienced, but we also believe it is crucial to recognize the many positive outcomes reported by children and their families who have benefited from safe, ethical, and person-centered applications of ABA. Several accounts of positive outcomes can be found at our website:
- An interview with Andrew Kavchak, Father and Advocate
- Interview with Beverley Sharpe, Mother of Allison
- Interview with Eileen Lamb, Mother and Advocate
- Been There, Succeeded at That: An Interview with Eli Allen Sharing His Early Experiences with ABA
We also understand that people may view some prominent ideas about autism in the 1960s and 1970s as dehumanizing and indefensible. Additionally, we recognize the trauma that some adults who underwent ABA as children may have suffered due to the punitive methods employed at that time. These testimonies are significant and must be considered in any discussion about the ethics of ABA. However, it is important to note that ABA has significantly evolved since those early studies. Modern ABA practices have moved away from the use of physical punishment and the application of aversive consequences. Today, ABA is a respected and widely accepted treatment that focuses on enhancing the quality of life for children with autism through positive reinforcement and individualized support. You can find more information about contemporary applications of ABA at our website.
At the Association for Science in Autism Treatment, a volunteer organisation dedicated to supporting the well-being of individuals with autism, we highly value feedback from all perspectives regarding autism treatment. We appreciate your consideration of the effects of early ABA intervention and the impact it has had on individuals. Ultimately, it is vital that all stakeholders make informed decisions about the use of ABA based on a comprehensive understanding of the treatment as it exists today.
Thank you for contributing to the ongoing conversation about autism treatment and for your commitment to the safety and well-being of individuals with autism.
Sincerely,
Kyle R. Hummel, Extern
Erin Leif, PhD, BCBA-D
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
