Is ABA Harmful? A Neurodivergent BCBA Breaks It Down

In this episode of Everyday ABA, host Paola Ortiz (BCBA), along with RBTs Brittanny and Leslie, sit down with Armando Bernal, a neurodivergent BCBA for a candid conversation about the negativity, criticism, and the ongoing controversy surrounding Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Armando shares his personal journey with an autism diagnosis, the power of parental support, and how evolving perceptions of ABA have been shaped by social media, public discourse, and lived experience. Together, they unpack both the valid concerns and harmful practices associated with ABA’s history, while also highlighting where the field is growing. The discussion emphasizes the importance of consent, community engagement, and understanding behavior as communication, while also addressing the value of autistic voices in clinical spaces, and the need for transparency and ethical reform in behavior therapy. 

 

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After listening to the episode, participants will be able to:

• Compare historical practices in early ABA with contemporary ethical guidelines emphasizing reinforcement and assent. 
• Define assent and self-advocacy practices in ABA and describe strategies for supporting autonomy in clients.
• Evaluate the importance of social validity and person-centered goal selection for aligning ABA practice with neurodiversity-affirming care.
• Identify evidence-based practices that emphasize parent involvement and collaboration to enhance client outcomes in ABA treatment.

 

References: 

Bearss, K., Johnson, C., Smith, T., & Lecavalier, L. (2015). Effect of parent training vs parent education on behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 313(15), 1524–1533.

Eaves, L. C., & Ho, H. H. (2008). Young adult outcome of autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(4), 739–747.

Leaf, J. B., Cihon, J. H., Ferguson, J. L., Milne, C. M., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., & Ross, R. K. (2022). Contemporary ABA and the good behavior therapist: Changing with the times. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15, 1–15.

Schreibman, L., Dawson, G., Stahmer, A. C., Landa, R., Rogers, S. J., McGee, G. G., Kasari, C., Ingersoll, B., Kaiser, A. P., Bruinsma, Y., McNerney, E. K., Wetherby, A., & Halladay, A. (2015). Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions: Empirically validated treatments for autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(8), 2411–2428.

👤 Guest Expert:

Armando Bernal is a neurodivergent board certified behavior analyst. Armando is also the founder of Autism International Consulting, PLLC, a self-advocacy-centered organization which provides in-home ABA, in-clinic ABA, and international consultation. He provides autistic consultation, parent and therapist consultation, speaking engagements for companies across the nation, and supervision and mentorship to other BCBAs and therapists. He is also the distributor of the podcast, “A Different Path.” He hopes to spread awareness and acceptance of autism by interviewing and sharing the stories of other individuals with autism. Armando has also participated in several collaborations with Vanderbilt University and the Suny Empire State University meant to further support self-advocacy and independence for individuals with autism.

Listen to his podcast A Different Path

His company     https://www.autismintl.com/