, an aversive conditioning device Aversives may be used as
punishment or
negative reinforcement during
applied behavior analysis. In early years, the use of aversives was represented as a less restrictive alternative to the methods used in mental institutions such as shock treatment, hydrotherapy, straitjacketing and frontal lobotomies. Early iterations of the
Lovaas technique incorporated aversives, though Lovaas later abandoned their use. Over time the use of aversives has become less common, though they are still in use as of 2021. Several national and international disability rights groups have spoken against the use of aversive therapies, including
TASH and the
Autism National Committee (known as AUTCOM). Although it has generally fallen out of favor, at least
one institution continues to use electric shocks on the skin as an aversive. A ruling in 2018 supported its continued use. The
FDA has made a commitment to ban its use, but as of January 2019 has not yet done so. A report from the
Food and Drug Administration found that "the literature contains reports that when health care providers have resorted to punishers... the addition of punishers proved no more successful than [Positive behavioral support]-only techniques... Reflecting this trend, a 2008 survey of members of the Association for Behavior Analysis found that providers generally view punishment procedures as having more negative side effects and being less successful than reinforcement procedures." The
Behavior Analyst Certification Board has stated their support the use of aversives on children with consent by a parent or guardian.
Opposition The use of aversives in applied behavior analysis is opposed by many advocacy groups for people with disabilities. These include: •
Autistic Self Advocacy Network •
Arc of the United States •
Aspies For Freedom •
Autism Network International ==See also==