CONTENT WARNING: ABA THERAPY, CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
ABA is Abuse. Full Stop. Yes, All ABA
Autistic Conversion Therapy: Why is It The Gold Standard of Autism Care in The United States?
A few weeks ago my son’s young therapist moved to a new office. She got a new supervisor, and at our first appointment, we got a tour of the facility.
Now there were sensory rooms. So many sensory rooms. And swings. And a life skills room where kiddos can practice making beds.
It was great! Until we got to… the ABA room.
They had no problem showing me the ABA room. No trigger warning. No apologies.
You guys- I have already done a panel discussion at this location.
They had every indication of how deeply offensive and triggering that would be to me and just ignored everything about what makes me me and the opinions of the lion’s share of the adult autism community casually assumed I wanted my child exposed to the fact some kids are systemically and institutionally abused anyway.
There in the hallway, a million things racing through my mind, stomach sick, cheeks hot- the therapy dog, Spike*, nudged me with his nose.
