CW: Post discusses ABA and possibly Trauma, internalized ableism
Hello there! I’m currently researching the issue of ABA. I’m reading a lot about the criticisms, but most of the resources I found so far are (likely) made by level 1 autistics. As level 2 and level 3 autistics are not as well represented within autism self-advocacy, I would like to understand their position better on the topic. A usual defense for ABA is that it can help high-support-needs autistics to learn important skills, but I would like to read about that from an autistic perspective.
So if there are resources on the subject you can recommend, I’ll be grateful! thank you
edit: I’m updating because users in this thread changed my view on this issue. I’ve been caught up in functioning label, which at the end of the day “levels” of autism still are. Here is what changed my mind:
Those needs you are looking for in an autistic person are completely and utterly irrelevant to you as a reader of their experience, and as far as you’re concerned any or all of the people who have already written about their experience of ABA fit in to your narrow and ignorant category, they just didn’t mention it because again - it isn’t fucking relevant.
There is no reason for me to specifically look for “level 2 or 3” autistics since their experiences are valid, regardless of them disclosing their support needs. It is ableist to expect them to disclose to me how “disabled” they are in order for me to validate their experience. Thanks @DessertStorms@kbin.social and @Ransom@lemmy.ca for helping me understand this. So in a way I found the answers I was looking for, and now I have some thinking to do
There is no defense for ABA, period. ABA techniques were adapted for gay conversion therapy, which says a lot. ABA absolutely does not help anyone to learn important skills, but forces people to hide who they are to avoid shame and punishment. It’s abusive, causes trauma, and is not okay.
The use of “levels” is also profoundly problematic. Google it.
I understand what you’re looking for, but happily talking about ABA in an autism space is like asking LGBTQ folks about their positive experiences with gay conversion therapy. Others might feel differently, but some of us have been affected by our past experiences and don’t really care to be reminded of them.
their positive experiences with gay conversion therapy.
I am not looking for perspectives in favor of it, what I am looking for are any perspectives from people with high support needs, as the debate around it is usually led by either neurotypicals or (comparatively) independent autistics, who in many cases have no first hand experience with ABA. Autistics with high support needs are the ones most affected by ABA, and ironically they have virtually no voice in this debate, which bothered me.
The use of “levels” is also profoundly problematic. Google it.
Which expression do you prefer, then? genuine question. I found the ‘levels’ to be a better term as it distinguishes by support needs rather than ‘intelligence’, as the word ‘Asperger’ suggests. Googling didn’t help with that question. Again, let me know what your preferred expression is.
ABA absolutely does not help anyone to learn important skills, but forces people to hide who they are to avoid shame and punishment. It’s abusive, causes trauma, and is not okay.
I read plenty about these things, and that’s why I am also concerned. So what I’m looking for is experiences with the people most affected by it.
(edit)
but some of us have been affected by our past experiences and don’t really care to be reminded of them.
Fair point. I added a Content Warning to the post.
I hadnt heard of it. It seems that their are polarised opinions even in institutions. childautism.org.uk seem to support it, but autism.org.uk seem to oppose it in favour of PBS: Here
Ive never had any experiene of autism specific therapy. I am regularly off cognitive behaviour therapy though, but ive tried it before and its no help for me so I refuse it nowadays.
yes. It is regared as traumatic and abusive by many, many autistic self-advocates. I’ll provide some links later. However, I found one perspective missing. The debate around it is held by either neurotypical people or by autistics with low support needs. So I’d like to know what autistics with higher support needs think and feel about the issue.
Just a heads up on what you are looking for as well.
You seem to be looking for opinions made by people that are very vulnerable and sheltered about an act which many consider abusive.
If you do find a positive experience, how do you know whether it’s genuinely positive, or whether the person was just abused into thinking it was positive? With enough torture you can make people think anything you want them to.
