Building dialogue between Compassion-based Applied Behavior Analysis and the Luta Antimanicomial

Abstract

A dossier entitled “Denúnica ao Ministério dos Direitos Humanos e Cidadania” was circulated on social media, containing criticisms of what they called Applied Behavior Analysis – ABA. However, the document presents a series of false information about the science of behavior and its application to people within the autism spectrum. Seeking to minimize the harm caused by the misinformation circulated on social media, we will re-present the dimensions that define what an ABA-based intervention is, highlight the existence of an eighth dimension and what we understand as behavioral intervention. Next, we will demonstrate how the criticisms launched are not, in fact, addressed to the science of Behavior Analysis and how, in fact, behaviorist practices are closely aligned with what is expected by the Psychiatric Reform and the Anti-Asylum Struggle. We hope that this study will help people with Autism Spectrum Disorder – ASD, their families and young professionals interested in the area to know and understand in a more precise and coherent way what Applied Behavior Analysis is and what it does.