ABA Therapy Pros & Cons: What You Should Know

Here's a list of the pros and cons of ABA therapy so you can better understand if it's worth trying for your child.

judah schiller
Judah Schiller
June 27, 2023
Published On
June 27, 2023

ABA Therapy Pros & Cons

Pros:

1. ABA therapy is a safe and effective way to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

2. ABA can be easily adapted to individual needs and goals, making it highly personalized for each person who uses it.

3. It can be used in a variety of settings, including home, school, or community-based programs.

4. ABA therapy has been shown to help improve social skills, communication skills, academic performance, self-care abilities and behavior management.

5. It helps individuals learn adaptive behaviors that help them become more independent and able to function better in society.

6. With the help of an experienced ABA therapist, families learn to understand and cope better with their child’s autism.

Cons:

1. Depending on the severity of the individual’s ASD, it can require hours of therapy in order for it to be effective.

2. It requires considerable time and commitment from both the family as well as the professionals providing treatment.

3. Some people may feel uncomfortable with some ABA techniques that involve rewards or punishments.

4. Costs associated with ABA therapy can be high, depending on where you live and how frequently your child needs to see a therapist.

5. There is limited research on long-term effects of ABA therapy, so the benefits may not be permanent.

6. Not all therapists are adequately trained and qualified to provide ABA therapy services, so it is important to do your research before beginning ABA therapy.

Despite the cons, ABA therapy has been proven to be an effective treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If you are considering ABA therapy for yourself or a loved one, make sure you discuss the pros and cons with your healthcare provider in order to find the best course of action for your individual needs.

With patience and commitment from both the family and professionals involved, aba therapy can have positive results that help individuals with ASD learn new skills, improve communication abilities, manage challenging behaviors and become more independent in their communities.

Sources

  1. https://www.healthcentral.com/article/pros-and-cons-of-applied-behavior-analysis-aba
  2. https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisprograms.com/faq/what-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-treating-autism-with-aba/
  3. https://www.appliedabc.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-aba-therapy
  4. https://www.goldencaretherapy.com/aba-therapy-for-autism-pros-and-cons/