ABA is concerned only with outward expressions of behavior. It does not account for unobservable psychological effects. People criticize ABA for lacking the understanding of internal human thoughts, feelings, and mental processes. 

University of Colorado at Denver

ABA does not adequately treat ASD as a neurological and developmental disorder. Because Autism Spectrum Disorder is now categorized as a neurological and developmental disorder, it does not make sense to only treat its behavioral aspects. ABA is not concerned with the growing field of neuroscience and is consequentially regarded as outdated 

Treatment of Autism as a Behavioral Disorder

Sandoval-Norton, A. H., Shkedy, G., & Shkedy, D. (2021). Long-term ABA therapy is abusive: A response to Gorycki, Ruppel, and Zane. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 5(2), 126-134.

ABA Therapy Abuse

Overconcern With Outward Expressions of Behavior

ABA is often claimed to be outdated by its opponents. Currently, the gold standard for the treatment of almost every psychological issue is understood to be a combination of Cognitive and Behavioral therapies. Since the development of ABA, the field of psychology has shifted away from the notion that humans can be reduced to their behaviors. However, ABA continues to use only behavioral therapy.

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