Bridging the Gap: Ethical ABA and Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices
We recognize that for some, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is associated with harm—whether through lack of context regarding outdated practices, misuse, or personal experiences that left lasting concerns. These perspectives matter and deserve to be heard. At the same time, ABA has also helped countless individuals build meaningful skills, gain independence, and improve their quality of life.
At The Applied Behavior Academy, we believe both can be true—and that it’s our responsibility as practitioners to help bridge that gap. Our mission is to provide clarity, correct misinformation, and hold our field accountable when necessary. We are committed to continuously aligning our work with the ethical standards set by the BACB and evolving as needed to best serve the individuals and families who trust us.
When practiced ethically, ABA is compassionate, respectful, and empowering. It creates opportunities for growth, connection, and meaningful change.
Clearing Up the Misinformation
Too often, ABA is misunderstood. Some imagine sterile rooms, endless flashcards, and rigid routines. While structured teaching methods like Discrete Trial Training (DTT) are powerful tools for building essential skills, they represent just one part of what we do. Quality ABA balances structured learning with naturalistic teaching, fun, and opportunities for choice and autonomy. When done ethically, ABA supports meaningful skill development while respecting each learner’s individuality—and yes, even internal experiences like emotional expression—by helping to support communication and self-advocacy.
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We also want to express that not all ABA is the same, therefore it is important to vet the providers and locations that you are interested in leaving your children in the care of. It is important to ask the right questions when searching for providers.
Physical punishment-based procedures are largely obsolete. Modern day negative or positive punishments often follow natural consequences and, if used at all, require extensive oversight, written consent and ethical safeguards (BACB, 2022, Section 4.08).
Restraint is a last resort, with providers credentialed following strict crisis intervention protocols or enforcing no-touch policies (Samuels & Newman, 2021).
ABA has always been centered on communication, building autonomy and developing socially significant developmental skills.
A Field in Progress
Like all sciences, ABA has changed over time. Some early methods—just like practices in medicine, education, and psychology—did not uphold today’s ethical standards. But progress has been made!
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Code of Ethics and standard practices have been consistently updated based on by evidence-based, practice.
Misinformation persists, often based on rare, extreme cases or misapplications of ABA.
Education & advocacy are key to ensuring ethical, effective implementation.​
ABA has evolved significantly since its early days in the 1960s. Like medicine, psychology, and education, the field has refined its practices to prioritize dignity, autonomy, and evidence-based interventions. Here’s how ABA has changed over time:
1960s-1980s: The Beginnings of ABA
📌 Focus: Early behavior modification based on learning theories.
📌 Methods Used: Strict behaviorist techniques, often relying on punishment-based interventions.
📌 Ethical Concerns: Overuse of aversives (e.g., electric shocks, seclusion), emphasis on compliance over autonomy.
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1962: O. Ivar Lovaas begins applying learning principles to autism treatment, paving the way for ABA-based interventions. (Lovaas, 1962)
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1968: Baer, Wolf, & Risley publish Some Current Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis, establishing ABA’s foundational principles. (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968)
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1968: The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) is founded, providing a platform for evidence-based ABA practices.
Source: Baer, Wolf, & Risley (1968) – The foundational article outlining ABA principles.
1990s: Shifting Toward Positive Reinforcement
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📌 Focus: Moving away from punishment-based interventions and toward skill-building.
📌 Methods Used: Functional Communication Training (FCT), reinforcement-based teaching, play-based models.
📌 Ethical Changes: Increased recognition of self-advocacy and efforts to reduce restrictive interventions.
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1980s-1990s: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates evidence-based interventions (such as ABA) for children with disabilities.
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1982: Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, & Richman publish their work on functional analysis of self-injury, refining ethical behavior intervention. (Iwata et al., 1982)
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1990s: Positive Behavior Support (PBS) emerges, shifting focus toward environmental modification and proactive skill-building. (Carr & Durand, 1985) also ABA enters its "Second Wave", person-centered planning, and compassionate care.
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1998: The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) is established, introducing professional and ethical standards.
Source: Carr & Durand (1985) – Introduction of FCT as a behavior intervention strategy.
Early 2000s: Person-Centered, Ethical ABA
📌 Focus: Individualized, client-led learning with an emphasis on communication and independence.
📌 Methods Used: Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI), increased use of AAC and multimodal communication.
📌 Ethical Standards: BACB’s Professional & Ethical Compliance Code restricts aversives and promotes assent-based interventions.
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2000: The European Journal of Behavior Analysis begins publication, expanding ABA’s international research base.
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2001: The BACB releases its first formal Guidelines for Responsible Conduct, ensuring ethical integrity in practice. (BACB, 2001)
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2007: The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) is founded, further professionalizing the field.
Source: BACB (2001) – First edition of the Professional & Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.
2010s-Today: Neurodiversity & Autonomy-Driven ABA
📌 Focus: Recognizing evidence-based, ethical ABA aligns neurodiversity-affirming practices.
📌 Methods Used: Strengths-based intervention, self-advocacy skill-building, client-directed goals.
📌 Ethical Commitment: No suppression of harmless stimming, respect for autonomy, and dignity-first interventions.
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2014: BACB introduces the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts, solidifying ethical expectations for BCBAs.
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2020-2022: BACB ethics codes are revised to emphasize trauma-informed care, cultural competence, and assent-based intervention. (BACB, 2022)
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2023: A comprehensive study on assent in ABA & Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is published, emphasizing a client-centered approach. (Kapp et al., 2019)
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2024: Modern ABA practices increasingly embrace autonomy, collaboration with families, and interdisciplinary care.
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2025: ABA continues to adapt to include trauma-informed frameworks, person-centered planning, and compassionate care.
Sources:
BACB (2022) – Updated Ethics Code emphasizing assent, dignity, and autonomy.
Kapp et al. (2019) – Research on stimming and self-regulation in autism.
ABA Is Still Evolving
Many core principles remain sound, but ethical practitioners recognize the importance of ongoing learning, client-centered care, and adapting practices as we better understand the diverse needs of those we serve.
There have been time where harm may have come not from the science itself, but from outdated applications, a failure to stay current, or individuals claiming to practice ABA without proper training or credentials. It’s important to remember that principles like respecting assent and supporting neurodivergent individuals have always existed within ABA when practiced well—but modern ethical practitioners are working to center those values more intentionally and consistently. Quality ABA prioritizes dignity, autonomy, and continues to weave in neurodiversity-affirming practices to already existing standards.
You Can Be a Part of the Solution
We know that serving a community means truly listening to it. If you have thoughts, experiences, or suggestions that could help us continue growing and improving, we welcome your feedback. Please reach out to us anytime at contact@theappliedbehavioracademy.com—because the best way forward is together.
Where Ethical ABA and Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices Meet
Rather than being in opposition, ABA and neurodiversity-affirming principles share the same core values:
Client-Led Learning – Ethical ABA adapts to each individual's goals, strengths, and preferences (BACB, 2022, Section 2.09).
Communication First – Practitioners prioritize AAC devices, PECS, sign language, gestures and other modalities to give every individual a voice (Ganz et al., 2012).
Respect for Stimming & Self-Regulation – Ethical ABA does not target stimming unless it causes harm or significantly impairs engagement (Kapp et al., 2019).
Play-Based, Engaging Methods – Skill-building happens naturally through developmentally appropriate, enjoyable activities (Charlop-Christy & Kelso, 1997).
Our Commitment to Quality ABA
At The Applied Behavior Academy, we are dedicated to shaping a future where ABA is ethical, effective, and empowering. Our training aims to ensure that practitioners:
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Are practically informed
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Balance behavioral science with neurodiversity-affirming strategies
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Prioritize autonomy, dignity, and meaningful skill-building
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Foster genuine, supportive relationships with clients and families
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Stay current with evolving best practices in the field
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Today's ABA is not the ABA of the past. Ethical practitioners continue to push for client-centered, dignity-first interventions that align with modern neurodiversity-affirming practices.
Want to learn more about what ethical ABA looks like?
Subscribe to download our free guide and take our self-assessment to reflect on your practice.