Thread by @AutSciPerson

You know this "behavioral therapy," that
Teachers
Therapists
Doctors

all endorse for autistic kids?

It teaches autistic kids to hide sensory pain, and increases the likelihood of PTSD and suicidality in autistic people.

Yea, it's surprising. But it's also true. #SayNoToABA

"After repeated cycles in the classroom, the Autistic child begins to develop PTSD because the neurotypical BCBA is focused on the function of behavior and the compliance of the child, and not what the child is communicating with their behavior."-Amy Grant
therapistndc.org/aba-therapy-an…

"Camouflaging and unmet support needs appear to be risk markers for suicidality unique to ASC."
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30083306/

This goes well with the first article I posted in this thread, as it talks about how long-term chronic stress and microaggressions can lead to CPTSD,

which is likely how autistic kids in ABA therapy become traumatized:
brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-…

How Dr. Perry describes trauma: "any pattern of activating your stress response system that leads to an alteration in how that system is functioning..an overactivity and over reactivity." 1/3

"Tiny little experiences, they get a glance that tells them they don't belong here, they're stupid, or your invisible. And all of these things literally activate your stress response system in an unpredictable way." 2/3

"That pattern if prolonged enough, leads to the very same changes in the brain as a big T trauma & I think that that's an underestimated & underappreciated component of that trauma narrative. It leads to the same emotional, physical & social consequences as capital T trauma." 3/3

"Traumatic experiences early in life are going to have more impact on you than the same experience later in life. Many people think that infants aren't paying attention to fighting of parents..but it's the opposite. The infant is less capable of dealing than the older child."

Brene Brown - "Part of trauma is a situation, an environment, over which we have no control."

Dr. Perry - "Any activation of your stress response, even little, that's unpredictable and uncontrollable, or prolonged, leads to traumatic changes."

"Neglect is as toxic as trauma." - Oprah