I’ve heard that ABA makes children behave like robot. Is this true?
No, not if the program is developed by someone with true expertise in applied behavior analysis. Unfortunately, many people designing and overseeing treatment programs do not have this expertise. This will result in many problems, one of which may be a child responding in a robot-like manner. This is not a problem with the behavioral approach itself; it is a problem with how the practitioner uses the methods of behavior analysis. Behavior analysis, like any treatment or therapy, can be misused. If the practitioner does not design and implement the procedures properly, the child will suffer. You must ensure that the person overseeing the program is a true expert.
