Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #SayNoToABA
Most recents (16)
Quick reminder that most ABA therapists and RBTs don't take autistic people's traumatic experiences seriously or actually listen to us.
If they Really want to help autistic kids,
and someone says they could be potentially hurting them,
Shouldn't they want to know?
#SayNoToABA
If they Really want to help autistic kids,
and someone says they could be potentially hurting them,
Shouldn't they want to know?
#SayNoToABA
Asking an ABA therapist or RBT to consider consent and ethics, and asking them to read the research showing ABA is ineffective,
Often after entering the conversation of their own volition,
Should not result in a block. š
Often after entering the conversation of their own volition,
Should not result in a block. š
In fact if they really wanted to help, they would consider working WITH autistic people instead of treating those with opposing opinions as "misunderstanding" what ABA is or not having "proper ABA."
Hi .@learnmeaba
You are an ABA provider.
Why did you follow me?
Maybe consider checking out #SayNoToABA
or my article where I show that ABA causes trauma, and is -at the very least- ineffective here -
autisticscienceperson.com/why-aba-therapā¦
You can't support autistic people and be pro-ABA.
You are an ABA provider.
Why did you follow me?
Maybe consider checking out #SayNoToABA
or my article where I show that ABA causes trauma, and is -at the very least- ineffective here -
autisticscienceperson.com/why-aba-therapā¦
You can't support autistic people and be pro-ABA.
You cannot pretend to listen to autistic people when you obtain money for specifically hurting and traumatizing autistic people.
Maybe see my thread from 3 days ago?
Would you do this to a non-autistic child?
Maybe see my thread from 3 days ago?
Would you do this to a non-autistic child?
And if you are an "ABA provider" that does not do ABA therapy but are advertising it as such -
Then stop advertising as ABA if that's what you're doing.
I wish I could believe that's what these centers are doing but I have a feeling they really are doing ABA.
Then stop advertising as ABA if that's what you're doing.
I wish I could believe that's what these centers are doing but I have a feeling they really are doing ABA.
Literally Discrete Trial Training (or DTT as they call it):
Is just going
"Where's the blue square? Touch the blue square"
And if the kid doesn't do it -for any reason-
they just KEEP ASKING.
Imagine hearing "Where's the blue square?"
30 or even 60 times in a row.
1/3
Is just going
"Where's the blue square? Touch the blue square"
And if the kid doesn't do it -for any reason-
they just KEEP ASKING.
Imagine hearing "Where's the blue square?"
30 or even 60 times in a row.
1/3
Imagine getting driven to a building, being asked to sit down in a chair, and getting the question "Where's the blue square? Touch the blue square"
every day for weeks on end.
People still try to say "but they don't do punishment."
Doing that to children
Is
Punishment!!
every day for weeks on end.
People still try to say "but they don't do punishment."
Doing that to children
Is
Punishment!!
Not getting to stand up out of the chair, not getting to stop hearing "Where's the blue square? Touch the blue square."
Not being able to get this stranger out of your face.
Not being able to take a break and do something else you like when you want and need it
Is
Punishment.
Not being able to get this stranger out of your face.
Not being able to take a break and do something else you like when you want and need it
Is
Punishment.
So uh,
I just got a very interesting email in my inbox.
It was an ABA therapy service asking to be added to my resource page on my blog. š
Here's the scary part though:
The way their website is setup is real sneaky.
1/13
I just got a very interesting email in my inbox.
It was an ABA therapy service asking to be added to my resource page on my blog. š
Here's the scary part though:
The way their website is setup is real sneaky.
1/13
I went to their website. They boast about providing online services. It seems like a relatively new businesses, as they're also hiring ABA therapists of course!
So if you go to the main "new to autism" for parents kind of page, you get a lot of relatively harmless info.
2/13
So if you go to the main "new to autism" for parents kind of page, you get a lot of relatively harmless info.
2/13
They use person first-language throughout, but they do talk about how autistic people should be supported and not everyone can be independent. And at one point they even mention creating a safe sensory space for the autistic kid!
Great, right?
Well I kept scrolling..
3/13
Great, right?
Well I kept scrolling..
3/13
So I found this video about diversity in ABA therapy.
It's the most hypocritical/ironic thing -
"However, bare in mind that those who perpetuate overt hostility as well as microaggressions towards marginalized groups are often absent from these conversations."
#SayNoToABA
It's the most hypocritical/ironic thing -
"However, bare in mind that those who perpetuate overt hostility as well as microaggressions towards marginalized groups are often absent from these conversations."
#SayNoToABA
And no, I'm not going to post the video because there's really no reason to watch it. This person talks about sexism, racism, xenophobia, a lot of other -isms..
and they of course leave ableism off that list and never talk about it. It's stunning.
and they of course leave ableism off that list and never talk about it. It's stunning.
They also talked about how good they were in life because they challenged when people said "No" to them.
Wonder how they treated autistic kids who challenge "no"... The whole thing was just filled with hypocrisy.
Wonder how they treated autistic kids who challenge "no"... The whole thing was just filled with hypocrisy.
I'm watching Pray Away on Netflix,
a new documentary on gay conversion therapy.
One of the most interesting things to me is how being gay was seen (even by gay people themselves) as a "behavior."
i.e. If you didn't "behave" in certain ways, you weren't gay.
1/
a new documentary on gay conversion therapy.
One of the most interesting things to me is how being gay was seen (even by gay people themselves) as a "behavior."
i.e. If you didn't "behave" in certain ways, you weren't gay.
1/
Being autistic is definitely still seen as a set of "behaviors." I think this is why even research perpetuates the myth that you can "grow out of autism,"
as if being "like neurotypicals," speaking, not stimming, and being compliant makes you "not autistic" anymore.
2/
as if being "like neurotypicals," speaking, not stimming, and being compliant makes you "not autistic" anymore.
2/
Right after I typed that -
"I based being gay on my behavior, not my feelings. It was my behavior that made me gay, even though I still had feelings."
- person who used to be a leader that told people they could learn not to be gay
"I based being gay on my behavior, not my feelings. It was my behavior that made me gay, even though I still had feelings."
- person who used to be a leader that told people they could learn not to be gay
TW JRC, shocks
"..Rotenberg and the parents and guardians argued that the shock treatment was beneficial for patients who did not respond to any other treatment"
1. How is shocking people beneficial?
2. Respond in what way?
1/6
reuters.com/legal/litigatiā¦
"..Rotenberg and the parents and guardians argued that the shock treatment was beneficial for patients who did not respond to any other treatment"
1. How is shocking people beneficial?
2. Respond in what way?
1/6
reuters.com/legal/litigatiā¦
"'With the treatment, these residents can continue to participate in enriching experiences, enjoy visits with their families and, most importantly, live in safety and freedom from self-injurious and aggressive behaviors,' it said."
2/6
2/6
In what world is getting shocked 100 times a day completely out of your control, due to behaviors as innocuous as getting out of your chair, or wanting a drink, or any other regular life thing, living "in safety and freedom"?
3/6
3/6
TW JRC, electric shocks, all caps
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YES THEY'RE STILL SAYING IT'S OKAY TO ELECTRIC SHOCK AUTISTIC PEOPLE.
STOP TELLING US ABA ISN'T ABUSE. ABA THERAPY IS ABUSE, READ IT YOURSELF, RIGHT HERE:
#SayNoToABA
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YES THEY'RE STILL SAYING IT'S OKAY TO ELECTRIC SHOCK AUTISTIC PEOPLE.
STOP TELLING US ABA ISN'T ABUSE. ABA THERAPY IS ABUSE, READ IT YOURSELF, RIGHT HERE:
#SayNoToABA
If anyone wants to "approve" this they should have to undergo the electric shocks themselves before they get to officially decide.
This is f*cking barbaric.
YES THEY SHOCK AUTISTIC PEOPLE IN 2021. STILL.
This is f*cking barbaric.
YES THEY SHOCK AUTISTIC PEOPLE IN 2021. STILL.
"The ruling was a victory for the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center and a group of parents and guardians of its students, which had challenged the regulation."
Notice they didn't say it was a victory for the STUDENTS.
It was Not a victory for the disabled students themselves.
Notice they didn't say it was a victory for the STUDENTS.
It was Not a victory for the disabled students themselves.
Reminder that it's nearly impossible to search for information about why ABA is bad and find #ActuallyAutistic sources.
What happens when I google (in incognito mode) "Why ABA therapy is harmful" -
What happens when I google (in incognito mode) "Why ABA therapy is harmful" -
The answer to "Is ABA therapy good for autism?" on the web browser:
"ABA is a type of therapy that can improve social, communication, and learning skills through reinforcement strategies. Many experts consider ABA to be the gold-standard treatment for children with autism."
"ABA is a type of therapy that can improve social, communication, and learning skills through reinforcement strategies. Many experts consider ABA to be the gold-standard treatment for children with autism."
The site in the first question-
No mention of asking the child:
"Goals should be established between the parent and the professional. Any goals your ABA therapist wants to work on with your child should be explained & communicated to you up front."
manhattanpsychologygroup.com/can-aba-harmfuā¦
No mention of asking the child:
"Goals should be established between the parent and the professional. Any goals your ABA therapist wants to work on with your child should be explained & communicated to you up front."
manhattanpsychologygroup.com/can-aba-harmfuā¦
This is a thread on my (very recent) experience about ādelayed emotional processing,ā or more accurately:
Forcing yourself to look okay even though you are not because you cannot communicate the complexity of the situation to other people,
1/25
[CW dentist]
Forcing yourself to look okay even though you are not because you cannot communicate the complexity of the situation to other people,
1/25
[CW dentist]
and it would not be āappropriateā to break down in front of those same people.
CW dentist
I went to the dentist today, a place that actually has good, supportive staff and has generally been very accommodating and kind. I even got a room on the first floor
2/25
CW dentist
I went to the dentist today, a place that actually has good, supportive staff and has generally been very accommodating and kind. I even got a room on the first floor
2/25
because I told them about my ankle injury. No issues there.
And itās important to note that sometimes there isnāt any one person at fault, but is simply how us autistic people are required to navigate the world. When I went in, I had to tell the receptionist
3/25
And itās important to note that sometimes there isnāt any one person at fault, but is simply how us autistic people are required to navigate the world. When I went in, I had to tell the receptionist
3/25
You know this "behavioral therapy," that
Teachers
Therapists
Doctors
all endorse for autistic kids?
It teaches autistic kids to hide sensory pain, and increases the likelihood of PTSD and suicidality in autistic people.
Yea, it's surprising. But it's also true. #SayNoToABA
Teachers
Therapists
Doctors
all endorse for autistic kids?
It teaches autistic kids to hide sensory pain, and increases the likelihood of PTSD and suicidality in autistic people.
Yea, it's surprising. But it's also true. #SayNoToABA
"After repeated cycles in the classroom, the Autistic child begins to develop PTSD because the neurotypical BCBA is focused on the function of behavior and the compliance of the child, and not what the child is communicating with their behavior."-Amy Grant
therapistndc.org/aba-therapy-anā¦
therapistndc.org/aba-therapy-anā¦
"Camouflaging and unmet support needs appear to be risk markers for suicidality unique to ASC."
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30083306/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30083306/
Please remember that any "therapy" for an autistic child, even when it's not labeled as ABA (it could be anything - occupational therapy, play therapy, art therapy, music therapy, speech and language therapy)
Any therapy can be doing ABA.
Always ask to sit in on the session.
Any therapy can be doing ABA.
Always ask to sit in on the session.
ABA has been seeping into nearly everything.
Any therapist that works with autistic kids could be doing ABA therapy and compliance. Absolutely any.
I wish it wasn't true but it is. Always sit in on the therapy sessions & don't trust "it'll be more effective without you there."
Any therapist that works with autistic kids could be doing ABA therapy and compliance. Absolutely any.
I wish it wasn't true but it is. Always sit in on the therapy sessions & don't trust "it'll be more effective without you there."
If you are open about being against ABA, planned ignoring, & rewards for compliance,
They may not do ABA while you are there, but once you are out of sight they may use that.
Please be careful. Let your child know it is okay to leave a session & tell them the signs of ABA.
They may not do ABA while you are there, but once you are out of sight they may use that.
Please be careful. Let your child know it is okay to leave a session & tell them the signs of ABA.
TW ABA, abuse, torture
I am actually going to break down this journal article.
And explain why it's actually even worse than I thought originally.
1/25
I am actually going to break down this journal article.
And explain why it's actually even worse than I thought originally.
1/25
The parent of the autistic person explained to the ABA therapists that her autistic teen has meltdowns when listening to loud noises and specific noises.
Instead of just believing her, or just observing the teen,
they put him in a room..
2/25
Instead of just believing her, or just observing the teen,
they put him in a room..
2/25
TW torture
And they played different noises to him that were assumed to upset him. They played 5 minutes of noises, different volumes of 55, 75, or 85 dB SPL (which is loud for NTs). Including babies crying, dogs barking, fireworks, sirens, and thunder.
3/25
And they played different noises to him that were assumed to upset him. They played 5 minutes of noises, different volumes of 55, 75, or 85 dB SPL (which is loud for NTs). Including babies crying, dogs barking, fireworks, sirens, and thunder.
3/25
I don't want the research you people do saying "ABA works" implemented.
You set the goals, you create the hypothesis, you design the study, you interpret the results and you conclude that "ABA works".
My community won't help you implement your research.
#BoycottAutismResearch
You set the goals, you create the hypothesis, you design the study, you interpret the results and you conclude that "ABA works".
My community won't help you implement your research.
#BoycottAutismResearch
Do you know what that phrase "evidence-based" has come to stand for among autistic people?
The ABSENCE of evidence of respect for human rights.
#BoycottAutismResearch
The ABSENCE of evidence of respect for human rights.
#BoycottAutismResearch
Renounce ABA, #INSAR2021. I dare you cowards.
Help us get nonconsensual ABA banned.
#ListenToNonspeakers. Stop silencing them. You're ACTIVELY doing right now.
If you don't start respecting #HumanRights in research, we will up the campaign to #BoycottAutismResearch.
Help us get nonconsensual ABA banned.
#ListenToNonspeakers. Stop silencing them. You're ACTIVELY doing right now.
If you don't start respecting #HumanRights in research, we will up the campaign to #BoycottAutismResearch.
Honestly I have a hard time seeing how itās possible that parents dont know ABA is abuse. These videos physically hurt to watch, Iām still on edge from it. How do you ignore your childās distress & force them into more discomfort for your convenience? #AutismAwareness #SayNoToABA
the video of the family in the grocery store... They should literally have their daughter taken away. I'm sorry but I don't know how else to say it besides that is sociopathic behavior. in public torturing their child whoās desperately trying to flee and they are pleased! happy!
They remind me of horror movies where a serial killer dresses up his female victims & forces them to pretend to have a tea party with him or something and then when they try to escape he murders them and cries about how they ruined it. Those are the vibes. Creepy coercive bonding
#LightItUpBlue Means passive awareness and acceptance of the way Autistic people are marginalized
#RedInstead means being passionate, even angry, about the lack of #AutismAcceptance and fighting against the status quo!
#WorldAutismDay #ActuallyAutistic #AutismAcceptanceMonth
#RedInstead means being passionate, even angry, about the lack of #AutismAcceptance and fighting against the status quo!
#WorldAutismDay #ActuallyAutistic #AutismAcceptanceMonth
Boycott the people who refuse to center Autistic voices at the design/planning phase and through their projects!
Support #ActuallyAutistic to gain control over #Autism narratives and support structures!
Support #ActuallyAutistic to gain control over #Autism narratives and support structures!
The rest of this thread is dedicated to things people need to know about Autistic people but the #Autism charities don't talk about!
If any of these are unknown you haven't been paying enough attention to #ActuallyAutistic
If any of these are unknown you haven't been paying enough attention to #ActuallyAutistic
