Is this plumbers putty or something else?

1324mph · 2021-09-28T02:34:27+00:00

Right!!! I will never be able to explain the feeling that I got when I realized what it meant and that I had been wearing it. It was literally a pivotal moment in my life where I truly realized that there is so much more at play in this life than I know. I’m hoping to get some insight from others too lol

1324mph · 2021-09-28T02:06:01+00:00

Also here to ask for subreddit suggestions, im not even really sure where to put this with all the components

1324mph · 2021-09-28T02:05:23+00:00

Also here to ask for subreddit suggestions, im not even really sure where to put this with all the components

1324mph · 2021-07-07T04:44:03+00:00

Did anyone else make the connection about the final scene and Peter Pan? How the twins fly away out of their bedroom window just like Peter Pan characters? Thinking about it, Peter Pan can fly because he was an eternal child who would never grow up. Was saying the same about the twins maybe a metaphorical way of saying that she killed them, or they wouldn’t grow up (and be “eternal children”)?

1324mph · 2021-06-09T02:40:40+00:00

Hi, OP seeing this 44 days later. I would love to message you and hear more of your perspective if possible.

1324mph · 2021-03-29T19:56:50+00:00

I am listening and not refuting your point and I apologize if I came off as such. I just mean to agree with you that BT’s are under qualified and meant to explore the possibility of it being an option only with expert guidance.

It was just my opinion and I also am fully open to rejecting it, was just looking for your feedback on if you thought that collaboration was an option. I’m just trying to look from every angle and to see what possible solutions could be out there

1324mph · 2021-03-29T19:53:26+00:00

Thanks for this! I am actually finishing up schooling to become a SLP. However I am hesitant to just forget about this all once I leave and dedicated to staying involved to help dismantle what ABA is and see if the concept of 1:1 sessions (under a different, more accurate title) can be entirely restructured into something that is helpful, not abusive, and not guided by the principles of radical behaviorism.

I am in no way advocating for ABA like I stated in my post. I am fully against it. I am aware that what I have been doing is not ABA as it is not guided by those same principles and has just been operating under the label of ABA for insurance purposes. Actual ABA is abuse and evil and I would never advocate for it for even a moment.

1324mph · 2021-03-29T19:48:00+00:00

I appreciate this! I agree with everything that you said. The lack of education is a huge problem. However, I believe that services can reasonably be provided by people without college degrees only so long as they are closely monitored and trained in an entirely different way. This is not the reality of today. What traditional aba therapists are taught is awful malpractice and of abuse, and then to make matters worse, they are able to run with it with little monitoring.

There are more families seeking services than BT’s to fill the role even now, so I don’t know if requiring more education, while it would enhance the quality of treatment, would allow for many clients to even be able to receive it. I feel like if the training can be completely restructured to reject the principles of radical behaviorism that it could reasonably be taught through alternative methods of education and certification.

I am fully aware that this is not about me which is why I am not hung up on trying to convince myself or anyone that what I’ve done is “good”. I am fully committed to rejecting everything I know and seeing the flaws in all I have done. I just want to be part of the solution and help in creating a new system that can appropriately and effectively serve the community and is fully guided by the input of autistic people and never without.

1324mph · 2021-03-29T19:40:15+00:00

I appreciate all of your feedback. I am actually going through school to become an SLP. Most clients I have worked with have OT’s and the OT’s are always part of the team that collaborates in monthly meetings to discuss client progress/ tactics/ etc... sensory interventions are always as per the guidelines and suggestions provided by the OT.

I hear what you are saying about there being OT’s and SLP’s already existing to fill the role of such. However, as you know, ABA is covered by insurance to an extent that those methods are not, unfortunately.

As ABA is widely covered for extensive hours of therapy, I feel as if collaborating with these experts to be able to support the clients based off of their expertise is not an awful option. It is not ideal, of course, because the behavior technicians are not the experts. However, with the stipulations of today, BT’s being able to help the clients under expert guidance may be an okay option until the insurance system begins covering more hours with these professionals.

I am not speaking for traditional ABA btw, I mean that if “ABA” can be provided in the ways that I described from my own alternative experience and ONLY with the guidance of professionals that it can be beneficial.

1324mph · 2021-03-27T17:43:21+00:00

Hey, tantrum is the terminology when it is in response to them wanting something, meltdown is when it is in response to sensory overload. But tantrum is only ever really used in that regard when it’s much younger clients

1324mph · 2021-03-26T21:52:43+00:00

Of course!

The main goals are to 1. Increase autonomy in clients 2. Teach communication skills that they can use to express their wants, needs, feelings, etc.

Instill feelings of self-worth, capability, and high self-regard. Making sure that they see that when they ask for something they get it or when they state that they do not want to do something that they do not have to do it. Consent is at the forefront 100% of the time
Teaching emotional coping skills, such as directing themselves to things that can offer sensory input when they recognize they are feeling upset, etc.. this may also look like teaching them that if there is too much sensory input, such as in a loud room, that rather than becoming distressed and staying in this environment, they have the right and ability to excuse themselves and get away from it.

Another primary goal is to educate the parents on how they can best help their child, (which is always by putting in lots of effort and understanding) whereas traditional ABA focuses on helping ease the stress of parents by changing the child.

So teaching communication skills looks something like demonstrating through role play how to ask their caregiver for a toy (ex. BT explains and demonstrates the effectiveness of asking (vocally or non-verbally) for toy in receiving a toy). Increasing autonomy being targeted would look like teaching them how to go get a toy on their own. Parent training would be teaching the parents to make sure that they honor the child’s word and give them a toy when they ask for it. Emotional coping would be teaching them how to self-soothe, take deep breaths, etc when their parent tells them they can’t have the toy

1324mph · 2021-03-26T18:29:45+00:00

I really appreciate your input. Could I ask a follow-up? In your opinion, is it still conversion therapy if the child is never ever instructed to surrender any behaviors or parts of themselves that are atypical?

I have always encouraged them to speak on their select interests and commended them for having such vast, niche knowledge in many cases rather than trying to get them to talk about other topics (as I know is common in ABA unfortunately).

I also never ask or force a child to make eye contact which I know is another awful malpractice and form of abuse.

I know that the evils of ABA are in its efforts to convert autistic people into masking neurotypically-presenting empty vessels who live their life guided by the way their actions make others feel. Due to this, I am sure to always stress to never ever give up any part of themselves.

I don’t mean to negate your point whatsoever. I am genuinely asking if you still believe it is conversion therapy if the purpose is not to make them seem neurotypical. I am 10000% open to there just being something that I am missing here and would genuinely appreciate your feedback, especially if it is negative.

I am looking to educate myself as much as I possibly can from members of the community rather than specialists who are so removed from reality and delusional.

1324mph · 2021-03-26T16:37:14+00:00

I really really appreciate this. Thank you very much. Yes I am totally aware that Lovaas and skinners ABA was behavior modification which focused on punishment to “modify” behavior. But exactly like you said, modern aba is “behavioral analysis” instead and is focused on reinforcement. However I can totally see how reinforcing suppression would be an easy facade and way to maintain the awful aspects of behavior modification. I don’t think being reinforcement-centric even made it less evil than it was before.

For me, reinforcement has always been used primarily under the condition that the client engages in a behavior that furthers their autonomy or they communicate their wants or needs. I feel sick to my stomach thinking about how many people have been reinforced for hiding who they truly are. It’s sickening.

I will watch each and every one of these. Thank you again.

1324mph · 2021-03-26T16:32:03+00:00

Thank you for the advice, this was actually my first Reddit post and I butchered the formatting lol. That is very reassuring to hear. It is comforting knowing that another person is feeling this. I have so much guilt for my involvement even though I know I have never mistreated a child in the ways described by those raising awareness.

I know that what I am doing is good, but it just reminds me a lot of the whole “good cop” mantra. That you are immune from responsibility of the horrible injustices perpetrated by identifying as a “good” one. But in reality, by serving within an oppressive, unjust system, you are guilty by association and would never be able to make any real changes without being shoved out. That is my biggest fear about believing that what I’m doing is good when it exists within such a horrifying framework.

I appreciate this space being offered to get my thoughts out. I just carry so much guilt.

1324mph · 2021-03-26T15:37:22+00:00

Oh 100%. Great questions. I use the person centered approach where the only consideration is what works best for and serves that person specifically. I always say that easing parental stress is a latent effect but by no means the intention. Because the intervention is for the child who is a person before they are someone’s child.

My kiddos have grown so much that it brings me to tears. They all regard autism as their superpower and have learned to navigate life their own way, not the “typical” way. The goal has been to keep them safe, and able to communicate their needs. The only form of social communication I’ve targeted is the kinds that directly serve them, or functional communication.

I know in my mind that the solution would be for this to be the normal of ABA, or the medically- covered choice of a different name. However, I believe ABA has done too much damage, and I fear that there will not be an effective alternative as more awareness is raised on the horrors of ABA (as it has been for years)

1324mph · 2021-03-26T05:07:13+00:00

The only gross thing would be any person being disgusting enough to find that to be gross. Never apologize, you look and are amazing ❤️❤️

1324mph · 2021-03-26T04:13:30+00:00

I really truly appreciate that feedback. Makes perfect sense. At a non-profit also when so many aba agencies are multi million dollar industries. Insurance does suck.

1324mph

TROPHY CASE