As Fort Myers ABA therapy practitioners, we have been confronted with so many misconceptions about this treatment. We’re passionate about this work because we see the phenomenal difference it makes in the lives of these kids, their families, and their communities – but we’re also enthusiastic when it comes to explaining this value.

Part of the reason ABA therapy tends to be misunderstood is because it’s a relatively new form of therapy (at least when compared to speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy). It is an evidence-based therapy, with many strategies tried-and-tested over the course of nearly 100 years. But it wasn’t until the 1970s and 1980s that it truly started to take off – with the rapid rise in childhood autism rates.

Another source of common misconceptions is the fact that in the very early days, practice was sometimes based on a limited understanding of behaviorism – and thus tended to be overly-rigid and even punitive. This didn’t yield the best outcomes – which is why it’s no longer practiced that way. As our Fort Myers ABA therapy team can wholeheartedly attest, it has truly evolved so much since then. We encourage parent/caregiver questions about our therapy approach and philosophy – which is always child-centered, individualized, and leans heavily on positive reinforcement-based strategies.

Lastly, ABA therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. There’s flexibility in how behavior therapy is implemented, depending on the therapist’s training, the specific goals set, and the individual needs/abilities of the child. It’s all evidence-based, but with access to a range of different approaches, we’re assured there’s almost always a verified alternative if a particular strategy isn’t working. That means we can meet the child where they’re at, instead of trying to force round pegs into square holes.

Knowing where some of these ABA therapy misunderstandings arise helps us counter with facts and direct insight from those actually conducting therapy – and feedback from parents & families whose children are receiving it.

FOCUS offers ABA Therapy and ADOS testing in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.

Additional Resources:

The Evidence-Based Practice of Applied Behavior Analysis, May 2014, The Behavior Analyst

More Blog Entries:

5 Steps to ABA Therapy in South Florida, May 24, 2022, FOCUS Therapy Fort Myers Blog