Who Is Driving the Bus? In Pursuit of an Equitable Application of Applied Behavior Analysis

• In Event: Serving All Our Students: Inclusive Education

Abstract

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a mainstay treatment used in the education of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has grown in popularity in recent years. Paralleling the growth of ABA, are ever-increasing concerns regarding its inequitable treatment of vulnerable, and otherwise marginalized, populations of students. Though shown to incite marked amounts of observable educational benefit, a growing number of professionals argue against the permissibility of ABA as it undermines respect for autonomy and social justice. In this paper, we present a critical analysis of ABA practice through the lens of equity and the self-determination learning model of instruction. More specifically, we advocate for the inclusion of choice, personal agency, and strategies to support active learning, while minimizing conditioned passivity.

Authors

• Brittany Desnoyer, California State University - Stanislaus
  Presenting Author

• Kimy Liu, California State University - Stanislaus
  Presenting Author