I Wouldn't Even Want to Go There!

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Autism Intervention Research

Background:

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is widely recognized as the gold standard for autism interventions in the United States.
• In contrast, ABA is often perceived as just one of many commercial autism interventions in other regions, such as Northern Ireland.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the reasons behind the differential perception and adoption of ABA for autism interventions.
• To analyze how the practices of behavior analysts may contribute to ABA being viewed as a commercial product rather than a standard of care.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of government policy and professional practices related to autism interventions.
• Examination of the historical development and marketing of ABA services.

Main Results:

• The promotion of branded versions of ABA by behavior analysts has inadvertently led to its categorization as a commercial option.
• Lack of ABA-specific training among government advisors contributes to ministers' reluctance to prioritize it.

Conclusions:

• Behavior analysts' strategies have created a perception issue, hindering ABA's wider adoption as a primary autism intervention.
• An ethical code of practice is proposed to hold behavior analysts accountable for addressing these discrimination issues and promoting ABA effectively.