Disclaimer: I am a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) who has been working in the field of ABA for 7 years and licensed as a BCBA for 4.5 years. This post aims to share some of my biggest critiques of a traditional model of ABA treatment (e.g. direct therapy provided by an RBT for 10-40 hours per week with oversight by a BCBA). This post is solely my opinion, based on my experience as a provider and autistic person, and may not reflect the opinion of other neurodivergent people or BCBA’s.
Critique #1: High Hours of Low Quality Therapy
In a traditional model of ABA, it’s still common to see a prescription of 20-40 hours per week of direct therapy (1:1 therapy with a registered behavior technician) + 2-4 hours per month of caregiver training).
While I have personally observed a significant decrease over the years in the amount of hours BCBA’s are prescribing (based on listening to neurodivergent voices and current research)...
I continue to see “affirming providers” over-prescribe hours that are not needed or wanted by the individual receiving therapy.
If current research has shown that the quality of ABA is significantly more important than the quantity of ABA (Samelson et al, 2026)...
Why are the majority of ABA companies still profiting from over-prescription of treatment hours, overloading their BCBAs with too many clients, and leaving RBTs too overwhelmed and under-supported to provide high quality therapy for their clients?
We don’t know either.
(But money, pressure from company operations, and lack of insight seem to be potential factors).
Critique #2: Constant Performing = Burnout
In a traditional ABA session, there is at least 1 observer expecting a particular response from an individual at all times.
With many neurodivergent individuals sharing their struggles with self-esteem and being perceived due to facing constant explicit (or implicit) judgement and correction by others (even if it is well-meaning), this model is problematic.
Even when you feel safe with your ABA provider, this is still so much time to be observed, critiqued, and reinforced for “appropriate” or “correct” responding.
Tolerating this for 10-40 hours per week is a full time job on top of other therapies, appointments, work, school, life demands, or needing extra rest or processing time. This is why too many therapy hours can lead to neurodivergent burnout + regression of skills instead of progress.
Critique #3: Systemic Ableism + Misunderstanding of Neurodivergent Needs
Have you ever felt like your providers are silently judging you or your child while you are drowning to keep up with their recommendations or expectations?
Do you feel like professionals spend time focusing on deficits in “socially-appropriate” behavior without a second thought that other people may connect or communicate differently or have differing ideas of what is socially appropriate?
When our systems (like traditional ABA) lack understanding of neurodivergent strengths and support needs due to the foundation they were created on, there is a foundational lack of safety and support for neurodivergent individuals.
Even though it has become a competitive brand choice to SAY that they are listening to neurodivergent voices...
Does your provider’s actions SHOW that they are listening?
Which one of these options seems less traumatic and more conducive to building real socially valid connection?
A. Learning to change or hide your differing needs enough to be liked by people who don’t understand you
B. Learning to accept that your needs may be different and that you can advocate for them in a way that creates authentic connection with others
When our systems (like traditional ABA) are built on “neurotypical” expectations or assumptions (i.e. ableism), they will continue to reinforce individuals for hiding their needs in favor of social acceptance.
But when we keep advocating for our systems to be more neurodivergent-affirming, we support diversity and authenticity...which inevitably leads to more connection, less trauma and burnout, and better quality of life for everyone.
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Have you or a family member had a positive or negative experience with ABA? I would love to hear your thoughts! DM me on social media or fill out our contact form to email us anytime!
Shawn Abigail Johnson
MS, BCBA, LBA
Diverse Connections AZ
Glossary of Terms Discussed in this Post:
AUDHD: A combined diagnosis of Autism and ADHD
Neurodivergent: Refers to individuals whose brain development and processing may differ (or diverge) from standard societal norms.
Neurotypical: Refers to individuals whose brain development and processing align with standard societal norms (making up roughly 80% to 85% of the population).
Ableism: Discrimination, prejudice, or systemic bias against people with disabilities (physical, intellectual, or other) based on the belief that average or typical abilities are superior.
BCBA: Board-Certified Behavior Analyst
ABA: Applied Behavior Analysis
