Applied Behavioral Analysis

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I don't post on wrong planet lately. I needed to say this not because I'm trying to piss people off. I'm stating how I feel, for any of us to consider.

I understand Applied Behavioral Analysis has been the subject of controversy for reasons you may be against it and reasons you may be for it.

When people say it's evil, horrible, and conversion therapy for autistics. That's where I disagree. I was never abused in any way shape or form.

I had no self control and my behaviors were over the top and I had horrible attempts to articulate feelings until I had therapy.

Had it not been for therapy I would never live on my own, function in society, hold a job, and other stuff that is important.

For people to wrong what helped me is like a stab wound, it feels like it erases my identity and what validates me for who I am today.

Most of the people who are against it never had it done. Check your privilege autistic or not.

I'm glad it worked well for you, Rob. I reckon everyone's different so what works for one of us might not be best for another. I personally don't have experience with this therapy so would certainly not shoot it down but rather take a closer look. I'm busy writing my experiences with a view to assisting others. Good to see you around here again!

ABA has been a nightmare for many people but it has also really helped others tremendously. I am very happy that it has helped you. I think ABA can differ greatly from one extreme to the other depending on the therapists and the individual programs. You have been very fortunate to have had a wonderful experience. I hope many others will have that as well.

What is check your privilege?

One example of “check your privilege”:

You are a city dweller. Acknowledge that being a city dweller makes you have an easier life, and, hence, you are “privileged” over rural dwellers.

Hence, excuse the behavior of those “less privileged” rural dwellers towards you because, after all, you are “privileged” by virtue of being a city dweller.

Allow the rural dweller more leeway because they don’t have it as easy as city dwellers.

thatsrobrageous,

I believe you raise an important point. You needed therapy to address important skills you were lacking, real life skills. The therapy you were given sounded like regular life skills therapy of the type Temple Grandin got growing up. Without her parents directing her, she wouldn't have been where she is today.

There are many different types of ABA---some good, some not so good.

I'm glad you've made outrageous improvements with ABA, Robrageous

It's good and all that it helped you, doesn't change the 50% PTSD rate and the loads of autistic people I know who have been abused in it.

The only ways I've ever personally witnessed people using the phrase "check your privilege" is as a way to declare any opposing or critical opinion as illegitimate, closing off any avenue for discussion. There are forms of ABA that are not so great. And contrary opinions are not stabs that disintegrate an identity, unless one's identity requires the complicity of others to maintain itself.

I've had ABA therapy on and off over the years. I have found it very beneficial. That said, I've had some bad therapists who mistreated me so I wouldn't want to work with them again. However, I don't condemn the therapy itself since it has helped me a lot.