In light of everything going on with #ColorTheSpectrum I would like to take a moment to talk about why #AdvancedBehaviorAnalysis is abuse.

When supporting the #AutisticCommunity this should be the second thing you check you aren’t funding. After just erasing us from existence.

I personally went through #ABA myself. So do not tell me I don’t understand. And No, it is not the “old” version. It was very recent and incredibly dehumanizing. I am #ActuallyAutistic and my experience is not the exception it is the common one.

#ABATherapy addresses what is considered “problematic” behavior. Now let’s focus on that wording. BEHAVIOR not cause of behavior, the behavior itself.

The way one behaves is communication. Taking that away is problematic. This should never be done. Instead you should ask WHY!!!

Let me give you an example. I am a biter. Yes, I can understand why that would be problematic. But telling me to stop biting is not helpful. It only results in me needing it more and hence ending up in a full on meltdown which is far worse than me just biting. But noone asked Why

If they did ask why or try to figure it out, they would have learned I need to bite down on something to deal with an intense emotional state. Doing so helps me calm down and not have a meltdown. Giving me an item that I can bite down on would be the correct solution.

#ABA does not do this. ABA told my parents to punish me when I did these “problematic behaviors”. I lost the ability to communicate my emotional state. I lost the ability to DEAL with my emotional state.

I shut down. I became #nonspeaking, I started failing school. I was not ok

ABA Therapy is currently the only therapy insurance will pay for regarding Autistic people. It was the first and only thing recommended to my parents after my diagnosis. This is a problem and needs to change.

See Me, Hear Me, understand this is more than just text on a screen