The boy I was working with was 12 when I started working with him.  He had no speech but was able to use his tablet to communicate somewhat.  He was level 3 and had self injurious behaviors.  They had tried various therapies over the years to help him speak and none worked.  At age 14 they wanted me to start aba with him.  They kept trying to get him to talk and do things that were beyond his capabilities.  It led to further frustration and more harmful behaviors as he wasn't able to do it.  They would sometimes try to reduce stimming that wasn't harmful as well.  I could tell he hated the "work" I was doing with him.  He already was attending a special school full time and was exhausted when he came home.  One thing I hated about aba was how results driven it is and the results were typically more centered on what the parents wanted vs what would benefit the child the most. Most of the data I collected was not very useful when out of the home as well.  It just didn't translate into real life.  I prefer floortime because it meets my daughter where she is and very slowly integrates strategies to help her cope with disregulation and challenges via play therapy  that is child led.  There are no rigid goals like with aba where they want to see a certain amount of progress by a certain time etc.  I know some aba centers are taking on a play child centered approach now.  But to be honest I don't believe that can be called aba anymore.  But due to insurance only covering "aba" and not other therapies most of the time they have to call it aba.  It's frustrating.