We have recently received a high number referrals for individuals with diagnoses (or suspected diagnoses) of Pathological Demand Avoidance that are exhibiting behaviours that challenge. Worryingly many of these families have been told that ABA would not be able to help their child, including one family having been told that by a BCBA.
ABA can help. A functional behaviour assessment followed by the development of an individualised behaviour support plan is essential. There are numerous ways that ABA principles can be applied, and the job of the BCBA is to match the right ways to the each child based on the data collected.