KevinMD December 19, 2025
Developmental-behavioral pediatrician Ronald L. Lindsay discusses his article, “A pediatrician’s reckoning with behavior therapy.” He shares his profound professional and personal pivot, moving from a decades-long focus on measurable goals to understanding the deep trauma and harm caused by applied behavior analysis (ABA). Ronald explains why he now supports the #BanABA initiative, detailing how the therapy often prioritizes compliance over communication and normalization over neurodiversity, particularly for nonspeaking autistic individuals. He calls for a shift away from coercive behavioral interventions, which were driven by insurance mandates, toward dignity-centered alternatives like DIR/Floortime and robust AAC support. Learn why this pediatrician is unbuilding his legacy to advocate for autistic voices and ethical, trauma-informed care.
Transcript
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