---
title: Therapy & Clinical Services — Common ABA Criticisms Addressed
scope: TODO_SCOPE
covers:
- therapy
- aba
- ot
- speech
not_covered: []
sources:
- 20231119_Nichole_Sagar_ABA
last_updated: '2023-11-19'
token_estimate: 223
parent: https://fwmparents.org/resources/therapy-clinical-services/index.md
---

# Therapy & Clinical Services — Common ABA Criticisms Addressed

- **"You feed M&M's to kids all day"** - Edible reinforcers are a last resort. They do not give intrinsic motivation. Question your BCBA if they use edibles too frequently. — *[Nichole Sagar, Nov 2023](https://fwmparents.org/sessions/20231119_Nichole_Sagar_ABA/notes.md)*

- **"ABA just turns people into robots"** - Robotic behavior patterns result from not fading reinforcements and generalizing skills appropriately. Good clinics balance compliance and self advocacy. — *[Nichole Sagar, Nov 2023](https://fwmparents.org/sessions/20231119_Nichole_Sagar_ABA/notes.md)*

- **"ABA gives kids whatever they want"** - First 2 weeks an RBT "pairs" with patient through play. This builds trust for effective therapy. — *[Nichole Sagar, Nov 2023](https://fwmparents.org/sessions/20231119_Nichole_Sagar_ABA/notes.md)*

---

[Resource index](https://fwmparents.org/llms.txt) · [Topic index](https://fwmparents.org/resources/therapy-clinical-services/index.md) · [Full resources page](https://fwmparents.org/resources/) · [Comprehensive guide](https://fwmparents.org/comprehensive-guide.md)