For my public controversy essay, I will be writing about whether or not ABA (applied behavioral analysis) therapy is the best treatment option for children with autism. On one side of the argument, which is also my position on the topic, it is believed that in ABA therapy there is too much emphasis on parts instead of a whole. Children who participate in this type of therapy could actually be limiting themselves and delaying their progress. On the opposing side, ABA advocates believe that this emphasis on simple tasks allow children to build a foundation for other types of more advanced therapy practices for their future. They also believe that this is the only treatment to statistically demonstrate progress in large numbers.
My sources include:
King, Virgynia. "AN OPEN LETTER TO FAMILIES CONSIDERING INTENSIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR THEIR CHILD WITH AUTISM." Astrae's Politics. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov 2011. .
Sergel, Roger. "'Best' Treatment for Autism Emerges ." Abc News. N.p., 04 022 2004. Web. 13 Nov 2011.
This argument sounds like it will require a lot of evidence from studies on children who have used ABA and children who have used other forms of treatment or education. This could be the focus of your research. Since you say that ABA "is the only treatment to statistically demonstrate progress in large numbers," what kind of evidence or appeals can you use to show that ABA is NOT the best treatment, in spite of the numbers?
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