Lovas's approach to ABA is more based around table time and yes, there are instances of holding the child in the seat if he/she is trying to escape, though I doubt that it condones ANYTHING like what was in that article.
However, a different type of ABA, refered to as applied verbal behavior focuses on teaching verbal behavior and is based around making the child happy during therapy time and pairing the therapist and therapy activities with strong reinforcers so that the child ENJOYS his/her time with the therapists. This method of ABA uses a brief period of table time for intensive teaching such as the child might expect at school, and then the majority of time is spent learning in the natural environment, working on teaching the child to request items that he/she wants, and teaching the child how to interact and enjoy the company of others.
That article was horrible, however, ABA does not have to be that way, and should NOT be that way. Unfortunately, many people who claim to practice Applied Behavior Analysis are NOT qualified and do so in an incorrect fashion. There are many misconceptions about Applied Behavior Analysis, but scientific studies have shown it to be highly beneficial to children with autism - when performed correctly.
I recommend the following sources of information:
~Dr. Vincent Carbone's website- www.DrCarbone.net
~Behavioral Intervention for Young Children With Autism: A Manual for Parents and Professionals Edited by Catherine Maurice, Gina Green, Stephen C. Luce (1996) Pro Ed; ISBN: 0890796831
~"What is applied verbal behavior?"-
http://www.christinaburkaba.com/AVB.htm
~ The Verbal Behavior Network -
http://www.verbalbehaviornetwork.com/
and there are many many more sites and books dedicated to this topic. ABA is not meant to be aversive, and I really hope that people will be willing to do more research into the program. I also hope that unqualified individuals will stop attempting to do "ABA" because I have seen firsthand how amazingly effective it can be when done correctly!
Allison
