ABA, PTSD and Autism

 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, despite its widespread adoption as a treatment for autism, warrants critical examination, particularly from the perspective of those subjected to it. 


ABA is founded on the principles of behaviorism, which aim to modify behavior through reinforcement and, historically, punishment. 


While proponents tout its ability to instill "desirable" behaviors and reduce those deemed maladaptive, many autistic individuals have reported profoundly aversive experiences, with some even developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result. 


To understand this, we must explore both the mechanics of ABA and its impact on the lived experience of the autistic person.


At its core, ABA seeks to train autistic individuals to conform to neurotypical standards of behavior, often prioritizing compliance over autonomy.


 Tasks such as maintaining eye contact or suppressing stimming behaviors—actions which may serve as vital self-regulation tools for the autistic individual—are often targeted for modification. 


For many, this amounts to a systematic erasure of their natural ways of being. This process can feel dehumanizing, as it implicitly communicates that their authentic self-expression is unacceptable.


Moreover, ABA’s rigid structure can make it inherently coercive.


 Autistic children, who are often the primary recipients of ABA, may not fully understand why they are being subjected to certain interventions.


 They may comply not out of genuine comprehension or agreement, but to avoid negative reinforcement or to earn fleeting rewards. 


Such practices risk overriding an individual’s natural boundaries, leading to a profound sense of *disempowerment and vulnerability*


 When compliance is enforced repeatedly, especially in the absence of true agency, it can create a traumatic imprint.


The trauma associated with ABA often arises from the dissonance between the autistic person's inner experience and the external demand to suppress or reshape it. 


PTSD symptoms reported by some individuals include flashbacks, heightened anxiety, and distrust of authority figures. 


These symptoms are not incidental; they reveal the deep psychological cost of being treated as a problem to be fixed rather than as a person to be understood.


In the pursuit of "normalcy," ABA can inadvertently strip individuals of their authenticity and autonomy. 


A more compassionate approach would prioritize understanding and respecting autistic perspectives, embracing diversity rather than seeking to erase it. 


Only then can we hope to avoid the unintended harm caused by well-meaning but ultimately flawed interventions.


Elizabeth Lucy Robillard, 2025

Ai assisted



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