Imagine a world where every child’s unique way of thinking and interacting with the world is not just accepted but celebrated. For years, traditional Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been the go-to method for helping autistic individuals develop new skills. However, as we listened to the voices of the autistic community, we began to understand that traditional ABA often fell short. It sometimes prioritised making individuals appear “less autistic” over understanding and valuing their unique perspectives and adapting environments to fit everyone’s needs.
In the traditional style of ABA, regulation was very rarely taken into consideration Instead, there was a “push through” mentality, where individuals were expected to comply with demands regardless of their emotional state or sensory needs. This approach often relied on standardized testing and deficit-based assessments, highlighting what individuals could not do rather than celebrating their strengths. Moreover, traditional ABA sometimes employed aversive techniques and punishment, aiming to stop “undesirable” behaviors without adequately investigating the individual’s underlying needs or obtaining their consent.
At ATT we believe there can be a best of both worlds, where traditional ABA can meet neuro-affirming practices.
So, you might be wondering, what does this look like in real world practice?
Consider Alex, who rocks on their chair during reading time in class. The teacher usually tells Alex to stop and then sends them out for a timeout. Traditionally, ABA might interpret this as Alex trying to avoid reading and being non-compliant. However, Alex might actually rock for sensory input because just listening isn’t enough stimulation. Viewing this behavior through a neurodiversity affirming lens helps us understand their needs instead of seeing it as misbehavior. Traditional ABA might teach Alex to sit longer, whereas neurodiversity affirming ABA would teach Alex to self-advocate by requesting breaks and offer sensory strategies during reading.
One common problem that many parents and caregivers face is finding a therapy approach that respects and values their child’s unique needs and perspectives. Traditional ABA can sometimes feel rigid and impersonal, leaving families feeling disconnected from the therapy process. At Adapting Together Therapies, we solve this problem by integrating the best of ABA’s evidence-based practices with neuro-affirming strategies. We aim to foster skill development and achieve meaningful outcomes, all while prioritizing the values, preferences, dignity, and well-being of our clients. Our approach empowers families and our clients to be active participants in their child’s, or their own, therapy, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.
Join us in embracing a new approach to behavioral therapy that encourages individual’s to be who they are and empowers them to work towards the goals that are important to them. We are passionate about creating a community where all brains, sensory needs, and communication styles are celebrated. If you believe in the power of neurodiversity-affirming practices and want to learn more about how we can support you or your child’s journey, contact Adapting Together Therapies today. Together, we can create a world where everyone is celebrated for who they are.
