![]() ![]() Even though the gay conversion therapy he pioneered was published and peer-reviewed, it has been condemned by many including the American Psychiatric Association ( 1998) and even other behavior experts Nordyke et al. Lovaas’ history and involvement with the Feminine Boy Project in the 1970s is a prime example of applying behavior techniques while ignoring internal constructs. ![]() Lovaas conducted various studies attempting to change these behaviors, despite lacking a basis or understanding of what he believed were sexual abnormalities (Rekers & Lovaas, 1974 Rekers et al., 1974 Rekers et al., 1977). Lovaas believed these feminine “manifestations are indicative of later adult sexual abnormalities, e.g., transvestism, transsexualism, or some forms of homosexuality” (Rekers & Lovaas, 1974, p 173). In the 1970s, Lovaas utilized behavior modification to treat young boys who displayed feminine characteristics. All of his applications of behavior modification were consistent with the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for ABA therapists. Ivar Lovaas, who is revered as the father of ABA, spent the majority of his life expanding and utilizing behavior modification (Smith & Eikeseth, 2011). Instead, behavior analysts create treatment plans based on the client’s needs, as dictated by the client and his/her significant others.” (Gorycki et al., 2020, p.3) The issue is not whether or not ABA therapists follow their own ethics code the issue is the ethical scope of the practice of ABA, given that the practice of ABA inherently ignores all internal constructs. Practicing outside one’s scope is unethical. They stated that “the ethical code mandates behaving in a way to maximize benefit and minimize harm. ( 2020) argued against this point by discussing the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for ABA therapists. Providing a treatment that causes pain in exchange for no benefit, even if unknowingly, is tantamount to torture and violates the most basic requirement of any therapy, to do no harm. Research in ABA continues to neglect the structure the autistic brain, the overstimulation of the autistic brain, the trajectory of child development, or the complex nature of human psychology, as all of these factors were ignored in the response and are ignored in ABA practice itself. Resultsĭespite decades of usage as the primary method for this population worldwide, ABA has never been shown to be even slightly efficacious for the nonverbal Autism population. Additionally, more recent research has been included to assist in this clarification. The current paper helps clarify any misinterpretation of the original research and seeks to advocate for greater protections and ethical compliance within this vulnerable subset of individuals on the autism spectrum. The research utilized in the response does not pertain to the population discussed, does not present any neuroscientific research, and does not address intrinsic motivation, elevated levels of anxiety, or various other pertinent issues associated with the nonverbal autism population. The goal of their response was to advocate for the continued use of ABA and attempt to demonstrate that it is in fact effective in treating autism. In a recent response to a review of ABA literature, methodologies, and ethics, the authors of the response attempted to negate the compilation of research presented. ![]()
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