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The mission of the ABA Clinic at the Children’s Institute is to collaborate with families, schools, healthcare providers, and allied professionals to achieve the best outcomes for our clients. We are committed to enhancing both short- and long-term quality of life for neurodivergent individuals and their families through evidence-based behavioral interventions. We uphold ethical practices that affirm human dignity, grounded in scientific and humane approaches. We celebrate the unique strengths of each individual, treating everyone with respect and honoring their differences.
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As a neurodivergence-affirming Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) practice, The Children’s Institute supports individuals in ways that honor their unique neurological profiles with respect, inclusivity, and care. Traditional ABA is often criticized for trying to eliminate autistic behaviors and invalidate the experience of neurodivergent individuals, but our approach is rooted in affirming each person’s identity and lived experience. We focus on fostering autonomy and respect, and this article aims to explain how and why this approach can help individuals with neurodiverse identities.
We focus on individual strengths and needs. This approach prioritizes identifying the strengths, interests, and abilities of the individual. Interventions are designed to build on those strengths and help the person thrive in their preferred environments. The focus is on enhancing quality of life and providing support that helps individuals live fulfilling lives on their own terms.
We respect autonomy and choice. As a neurodivergence-affirming practice, we center the individual’s right to make choices about their own life and treatment. It's crucial that interventions are collaborative, with the individual’s preferences and input guiding the process. Strategies are chosen with input from the person and their family, ensuring that their voice is central in every decision. For instance, we do not write goals aimed at reducing or eliminating stimming unless the stimming is harmful to the individual or the individual identifies it as a goal for themselves. We avoid goals requiring eye contact as many neurodivergent individuals report that it is more difficult to listen and respond in conversation when making eye contact. Our faces convey an incredible amount of information, which can inhibit communication and processing of language.
We view behavior as communication and accept chosen communication modalities. Instead of labeling certain behaviors as "problematic" or something to be eliminated, we view behavior as a form of communication. The goal is to understand the underlying reasons for a person’s actions and to find ways to support their needs without resorting to suppression or punishment. Our therapists often identify sensory needs, emotional triggers, or social challenges that might be influencing behavior. A critical part of our treatment model is respecting assent, or the willingness to participate. Assent—and even the withdrawal of it—may be communicated through behavior, including language. We embrace multi-modal communication, recognizing that when someone is distressed or overwhelmed, their primary type of communication may not be effective. For example, a person who typically communicates verbally may struggle to speak during sensory overload, so we use tools like picture cards to help with self expression. Though we accept and teach multi-modal communication, we do not use facilitated communication or its variations, as there’s no reliable way to ensure that the communication is truly coming from the individual. Ultimately, we honor and respect all forms of communication that come directly from the individual.
Our consequence strategies are based on positive reinforcement. ABA techniques in neurodivergence-affirming practices like ours emphasize positive reinforcement over punishment. This means that our therapists aim to reinforce behaviors that support the individual’s goals, rather than attempting to eliminate behaviors deemed undesirable by neurotypical individuals. The reinforcement is individualized and considers what is truly motivating or rewarding for the person.
We minimize the use of aversive techniques to improve outcomes. In our treatment planning, we avoid aversive techniques such as verbal reprimands, punishment or forced compliance. These practices can be harmful and can actually increase anxiety and fear or worsen trauma. Instead, our interventions focus on teaching alternative skills and providing positive opportunities for growth.
We support cultural and identity sensitivity. This approach recognizes and affirms the neurodivergent person’s identity, understanding that neurodivergence is part of who they are rather than something to be "fixed." It ensures that interventions are sensitive to cultural, racial, gender, and other aspects of identity, integrating these perspectives into the therapeutic process. Our team is regularly trained in cultural humility, diversity, and inclusion.
We build sensory and environmental considerations into our practice model. Acknowledging and accommodating sensory sensitivities is a key component in our treatment model. Common antecedent interventions include environment adjustment and strategy development in order to help individuals manage sensory overload . Our clinic has dedicated quiet spaces, sensory break areas, and adjusted lighting and sound levels to ensure individuals can engage in their therapy comfortably. We also use our sensory and art space to teach and support self-regulation of sensory needs.
We promote social inclusion across individual and group sessions. Rather than trying to fit neurodivergent individuals into social norms that might not align with their needs, we encourage social participation in ways that are comfortable and appropriate for the individual. The focus is on developing communication and social skills in a way that fosters inclusion and respect for individual differences. Our younger clients in individual therapy are given opportunities to learn along alongside their peers. In our group sessions, there are frequent discussion about the experiences our clients have as neurodivergent individuals navigating a world that was not designed for them.
We believe in holistic support and collaboration. We consistently collaborate with other professionals, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, mental health therapists, primary care providers, teachers, outside ABA providers, and others to support each individual's overall well-being. Through parent training and assessment across home, school, and community environments, we aim to develop a cohesive, supportive system for each client.
In essence, a neurodivergence-affirming ABA practice is about recognizing the individual as a whole person, honoring their neurological identity, and supporting their well-being. At The Children’s Institute, we are committed to helping neurodivergent individuals live a meaningful, self-determined life.
To learn more about ABA services at The Children’s Institute, visit this section of our website: /aba-services
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