this post was submitted on 31 Jan 2024
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Autism

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looking for resources on ABA written by level 2 or level 3 autistics (feddit.de)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by nichtsowichtig@feddit.de to c/autism@lemmy.world
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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

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[–] Ransom@lemmy.ca 13 points 1 year ago (15 children)

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.

[–] Deestan@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Instead of "Google it", present links to useful resources.

Google has not only gotten worse in general, but is providing completely different realities to different people. You may have that really insightful article as your top result, but someone else will have some unilluminating social media arguments or even several articles defending it eloquently.

[–] Ransom@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

It’s exhausting to be the research assistant for people who aren’t willing to put in the work. (Not saying that that’s OP.) It’s more within my capacity to point out where someone is making a gaffe and have them do the work to figure out why. I’ve been internetting since Telnet days and nothing has changed: people aren’t interested in sources you find for them, esp. on highly charged topics like this.

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