I learned something horrifying the other day. ABA is not just used to change Autistics, but Autistic Neuorkin ADHDers. I suppose the thought should have occurred to me (and perhaps many others) if ABA is being used on Autistic who else could be subjected to it in order to create compliant beings. Many mental illnesses can result in “undesirable behaviours”that hinder societal production. What do I mean by that…well capitalism.
Capitalism is so ingrained into society that many generations grow up with the belief that every person NEEDS to be a productive member of society.
It supports by many things marginalized groups are faced with fighting against. Racism & Ableism being the keys to Capitalism. (Ableism covers more than just discrimination and oppression of disabled people). Neurodivergent people are most likely to no comply and fall in line, so how to make us fall inline? By promoting the idea that we are burdens on society (along with other disabled people). Promote that ABA can make us productive members and the government jumps at funding it in countries that have government funded programs. In countries where it’s not funded the governments there can still make money with hefty taxes to medical practices that utilise ABA.
How to sell ABA to vulnerable parents wanting what’s best for their children? By teaching BCBA’s and the like how to sooth their fears, by passing off ABA like basic parenting with emphasis on utilising rewards has both good and bad consequences. Make it seem harmless. By gaining the child’s trust through pairing to create a bond known has fawning. Fawning creates a desire to please their abuser. The rewards system creates anxiety and can actually increase distress behaviours when the child fails to do the task/learn the skill. This all leads to eventually masking behaviours when the distress behaviours are ignored through “planned ignoring”. Which a parent may not think twice about…or may explain away their discomfort at this by repeating that it’s necessary if they happen to even witness it.
Parents utilize government support, private insurance, almost any means. All because the drive to be productive and their children be productive on the idea that productivity equals being independent. Why does the government support ABA? Well its been sold to the government has a way to make those deemed “burdens” more productive. By given “research” that takes credit for the learned tasks that one becomes developmentally ready to learn and that show “improvement” whilst ignoring any long term side affects. This research is back by harmful organizations like National Autistic Society, Autism Speaks, and many others.
What another advocate had to say, breaking down the latest ABA manuel
https://annsautism.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-new-aba-textbook-and-why-there-are.html?m=1
What Fawning is
From Kristy Forbes https://www.facebook.com/128947034381065/posts/426484081294024/
Red Flags while says in autism therapy, can be used for any therapy steeped in behaviourism. https://autisticmama.com/autism-therapy-red-flags/ https://www.google.com/amp/s/intheloopaboutneurodiversity.wordpress.com/2019/03/23/red-flags-of-early-intervention-for-autism/amp/
SelfdxAutie 