Download This PaperPredictors of Satisfaction with Aba Services from the Autistic Community
31 Pages Posted: 27 Dec 2024
Abstract
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) interventions are commonly used to teach autistic learners. However, there have been recent critiques of ABA goals and procedures. Some studies have attempted to solicit social validity data, but their conclusions have not been replicated with individuals who received ABA more recently. This study assessed perspectives of ABA goals, procedures, and satisfaction from self-reported autistic individuals who received ABA more recently. Using a stratified sampling approach, 178 autistic participants aged nine and older completed a 36-question survey. The results indicated that gender identity, affiliation with an autism advocacy group, the setting of services, and when they received ABA influenced perceptions. There was consensus across all respondents that ABA goals masked autism traits, there was limited input from the autistic learners on goals, the therapist made them follow instructions, and the participants were allowed to have things they needed. Furthermore, individuals who were sampled from ABA organizations and those who received ABA less than six years ago had favorable perceptions of ABA. These findings highlight the need to involve autistic voices in the development of treatment goals but also indicate that many of the criticisms of ABA are not held by most in the autism community.
Note:
Funding Information: There was no external funding obtained for this study
Conflict of Interests: The authors did not have any conflicts of interest to disclose.
Ethical Approval: The study protocols were reviewed and approved by a Human Subjects Institutional Review Board (HSIRB) with the FWA number FWA00030434 and the IRB title Easterseals Southern California.
Keywords: applied behavior analysis, social validity, perceptions, autism, intervention goals, intervention procedures
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