Criticisms of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the autistic community continue to flourish and have an appreciable impact on research, practice, and conversation in stakeholder groups. ABA providers aspire to increase quality of life for autistic people; thus, it is imperative for providers to listen with humility and openness to the population we serve. Autistic individuals have unparalleled expertise in their own lives and their own communities. The concerns raised by the autistic community cannot, morally or ethically, be swept aside and devalued due to the speaker’s identification as autistic or due to their difference in professional credentials. The concept of neurodiversity can help the ABA field respond to these concerns and collaborate with the largest stakeholders of our services, the autistic clients we serve. This presentation summarizes some of the key criticisms that autistic self-advocates raise concerning ABA, discusses the social model of disability and the neurodiversity paradigm, and proposes practical guidance to help the field of ABA integrate neurodiversity and thereby evolve our research and practice. By openly acknowledging the criticisms against ABA and recognizing how we can do better as a field, we believe we can take a step in the right direction, towards a profession and a society that more fully embraces inclusion.

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will learn how define the tenets of neurodiversity and how to apply these within the field of ABA.
2. Attendees will learn how to respond with compassion to criticisms levied against our field.
3. Attendees will be able to identify actionable steps to make their ABA practices more inclusive and socially just.

About the Presenter

Sneha Kohli

Sneha considers herself an ally to the disAbility and Autism communities, and went into academia to support individuals on the autism spectrum, while educating neurotypicals on how to create a socially inclusive community. Sneha is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), has Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Psychology, and a doctorate degree in Education and Disability Studies. What makes Sneha’s research, teaching, and consulting unique is her expertise in two very distinct areas, applied behavior analysis and disabilities studies. She is able to layout behaviorally supported practices within a caring social-model context. Sneha is a Faculty member in the Psychology department of the University of Southern California (USC), where she teaches Master level courses in Applied Behavior Analysis, and undergraduate courses related to Autism and Neurodiversity. She has been invited to speak all over the country, and recently published a book, Understanding the Lived Experiences of Autistic Adults, which she co-authored with an Autistic Adult. Sneha has also worked with colleges to develop and implement autism support programs to maximize the success of college students with ASD. She works with both the students as well as faculty and staff, in order to maximize a positive college experience. Ultimately, Sneha's work centers on increasing the quality of life for individuals with Autism, and her future-focused approach allows her to help individuals build long-term success.