Document Type
Article
Abstract
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) are widely used approaches when working with Autistic people. While ABA originates in the behaviourist tradition, CBT and DBT are cognitive-behavioural psychotherapies that incorporate both cognitive and behavioural elements. These therapies remain contested within neurodiversity-affirming frameworks. This study explored how professionals understand, use, and avoid behavioural approaches in their work with Autistic adults, and whether perspectives differ between neurodivergent and non-neurodivergent practitioners. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 professionals providing mental health support to Autistic adults. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, with an exploratory comparison of evaluative patterns across practitioner groups. Participants described avoiding approaches perceived as rigid, compliance-based, or misaligned with Autistic autonomy. ABA was most frequently critiqued in relation to concerns about control and historical practice, while CBT and DBT were generally viewed as useful when adapted to communication styles, sensory needs, and client-defined goals. Across approaches, participants emphasized that effectiveness depended less on the model itself and more on how it was applied in practice. Neurodivergent and non-neurodivergent professionals expressed broadly similar perspectives, reflecting a shared emphasis on flexibility, collaboration, and respect. Differences between groups were minimal, suggesting convergence in practice values rather than division. Overall, findings highlight a shift away from rigid, protocol-driven applications toward more context-sensitive, neurodiversity-affirming care. The study underscores the importance of training, supervision, and reflective practice in supporting ethical, adaptable use of behavioural approaches in Autistic adult mental health.
Corrigendum: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rin.2026.100048
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Publication Info
Published in Research in Neurodiversity, 2026.
Rights
© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync-nd/4.0/).
APA Citation
Janse Van Rensburg, M. G., Reza Jameson, A. K., Twum, E. A., & Hock, R. (2026). Professionals’ perspectives on behavioural approaches in autistic adult mental health care: Comparing neurodivergent and non-neurodivergent practitioners. Research in Neurodiversity, 2, 100043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rin.2026.100043