Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has long been a widely used approach in supporting individuals with autism. For decades, ABA’s focus on measurable behavior change made it the gold standard in autism intervention. But as the autism community’s voice has grown louder, and as individuals with autism have become increasingly vocal about their experiences, a powerful shift is taking place in the field. This shift is not just about what ABA does, but how it does it.
Modern ABA, the ABA of the present, is one that is actively working to be more compassionate, collaborative, and above all, neurodiversity-affirming.
The concept of neurodiversity acknowledges that neurological differences, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others, are natural variations of the human experience, not deficits to be “fixed.” It challenges the medical model that often labels individuals with autism as disordered and instead promotes acceptance, inclusion, and respect for each person’s unique wiring.
This perspective has prompted deep reflection within the ABA community. Increasingly, clinicians are asking: Are we supporting individuals with autism to thrive as they are, or are we unintentionally trying to mold them into someone else?
To understand where we are, we must acknowledge where we’ve been. ABA has its roots in behaviorism, which historically focused on reducing “problem behaviors” and increasing “desirable” ones, often through highly structured, repetitive teaching and reinforcement systems.
While many families have seen positive outcomes from ABA, including gains in communication, safety, and independence, the approach has not been without controversy. Adults with autism have voiced ethical concerns about early ABA practices, including:
These criticisms are not just historical applications; they continue to challenge the field today. But many ABA providers are listening, learning, and evolving.
Modern ABA is undergoing a transformation, one fueled by research, ethics, and most importantly, the voices of individuals with autism. This evolution is not about abandoning ABA’s principles, but about applying them through a new lens: one that centers humanity, dignity, and respect.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways ABA is becoming more neurodiversity-affirming:
Traditional ABA often prioritized compliance: following directions, sitting still, maintaining eye contact. But modern practitioners are increasingly moving away from rigid compliance goals and toward collaborative, meaningful goals that support autonomy and self-advocacy.
Instead of teaching “quiet hands,” therapists are asking, “How can we support safe self-regulation?” Instead of insisting on eye contact, they ask, “Is eye contact necessary for this person’s comfort or communication?”
The goal is no longer to simply gain compliance, but to support the child’s ability to navigate the world in ways that feel safe and authentic.
Today’s ABA emphasizes giving the individual a voice. Even non-speaking clients are supported in expressing preferences through alternative communication systems, communicating through pictures, choice boards, gestures, or other methods. Consent is central to ABA, whether it’s choosing activities, opting out of certain demands, or communicating “no.”
Therapists are being trained to prioritize consent and rapport, reinforcing that all individuals deserve the right to make decisions about their lives and their bodies.
Masking refers to suppressing one’s natural behaviors, such as stimming, avoiding eye contact, or mimicking neurotypical speech patterns, to fit societal expectations. While some individuals choose to mask in certain environments, prolonged masking is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and burnout.
In neurodiversity-affirming ABA, stimming is recognized as a valid and often helpful form of self-regulation. Therapists no longer aim to “reduce” these behaviors unless they are harmful or interfere with well-being. Instead, they might help clients find additional ways to self-regulate while honoring their natural behaviors.
Modern ABA moves away from standard developmental checklists and instead builds goals based on what’s important to the individual and their family. For one person, a meaningful goal might be learning to order at a restaurant independently. For another, it might be developing skills for a special interest or navigating social relationships in a way that feels safe and comfortable.
It’s not about checking boxes, it’s about improving quality of life by creating individualized goals that truly align with the best interests of the person.
Neurodiversity-affirming providers seek input from individuals with autism, directly or through parent collaboration, when developing treatment plans. Increasingly, BCBAs are reading authored books by individuals with autism, following neurodivergent voices online, and even consulting adults with autism when designing interventions.
Therapy is no longer something done to the individual, but something created with them.
The field of behavior analysis has evolved in its expectations for service providers to follow specific ethical guidelines. Some of these include:
To truly embrace this shift, training matters. More ABA organizations are prioritizing professional development that includes:
By empowering behavior technicians, supervisors, and families with this knowledge, we’re planting the seeds of long-term change across the field.
There’s still work to do. Some outdated practices persist, and not all providers are on board with neurodiversity-affirming care. But the tide is turning. As more adults with autism speak out and more clinicians listen, the ABA field is becoming more self-aware, introspective, and willing to adapt.
Families now have more choices when it comes to finding providers who prioritize ethical, individualized, and respectful care. Many ABA centers are proudly advertising neurodiversity-affirming practices, seeking partnerships with self-advocates, and openly discussing how they’re learning and evolving.
At its best, ABA is not about “fixing” people. It’s about supporting growth, independence, and well-being for the individual.
By shifting the lens through which we view autism and behavior, we open the door to more compassionate, meaningful support. We honor neurodiversity not just in words, but in our day-to-day practices. And in doing so, we create a better ABA, one that’s truly worthy of the trust that families and individuals place in it.
The future of ABA is here, and it looks more human, more respectful, and more hopeful than ever before.
