This was an excellent piece, Scott. I've always felt like ABA was a form of conformity: a form of reshaping/molding an autistic individual into someone that's more "palatable" to neurotypical standards, instead of honoring who they are at their core.
It often feels less like support and more like control, rooted in the idea that autistic behaviors are inherently wrong and must be corrected. That mindset is harmful.
This article frightened me. Family, teachers, bosses have been trying to fix me, disparage me, damage myself worth and identify to the point I attack others who remind me too much of myself. Case in point was when I help with practice job interviews at a local junior collage. One of my final students was a non verbal and he freaked me out to a a point of a frustration attack. Needless to say i was not asked back enforcing my own weaknesses and fears. The main issue i have with it is i have worked as a newspaper reporter for 15 years and never had that reaction before.
This was an excellent piece, Scott. I've always felt like ABA was a form of conformity: a form of reshaping/molding an autistic individual into someone that's more "palatable" to neurotypical standards, instead of honoring who they are at their core.
It often feels less like support and more like control, rooted in the idea that autistic behaviors are inherently wrong and must be corrected. That mindset is harmful.
Thank you for the kind words, Poonam!
This article frightened me. Family, teachers, bosses have been trying to fix me, disparage me, damage myself worth and identify to the point I attack others who remind me too much of myself. Case in point was when I help with practice job interviews at a local junior collage. One of my final students was a non verbal and he freaked me out to a a point of a frustration attack. Needless to say i was not asked back enforcing my own weaknesses and fears. The main issue i have with it is i have worked as a newspaper reporter for 15 years and never had that reaction before.
Incredibly good piece Scott. I will forward. Please ensure policy makers and educators get this in their inbox, this must be circulated