Statement on ABA
I want to make a statement about ABA. I have always spoken about my personal experience with ABA as a child. I have realised that my experience when I was growing up was not like the normal experience of ABA. My form of ABA therapy was heavily altered by my mother and she did not allow these repression tactics to be used on me. This has led to my biased view of how ABA is used.
I have become aware that many autistic individuals have been harmed by ABA.
I do not support using methods to control stimming and focussing on external behaviours without thinking about how the person feels inside.
Autistic behaviours should not be repressed. An autistic person should not be made to behave like a neurotypical to be accepted.
I have always been open about the negative aspects of ABA as I experienced it. This, however, did not acknowledge the negative feelings and experiences of others who have gone through ABA. Having considered all of this, I would like to be clear that I do not advocate for ABA.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
— Alex Lowery Speaks About Autism
