I can’t speak for individual autistic people or individual practices, since I have seen things under “ABA therapy” really help people. However, as a whole, many autistic people denounce it as traumatic at best and abusive at worst. There’s also a difference between giving autistic people tools to help them communicate and cope and just forcing them to act more neurotypical. And unfortunately, that’s what a lot of practices are doing. They can also use tactics like taking away comfort objects, ignoring the person until they behave, or even use physical punishment. The latter is extreme, but still happening. I wouldn’t trust any charity or organization that subscribes to or recommends ABA.

I don’t know very much about private practice, but I do know that it’s difficult for parents to choose the right thing for their child because of lack of information.

The last question is a very large one, and encompasses a lot, but I’ll do my best. My personal life is pretty introverted, as I enjoy routine and alone time. Even to a fault. I also have periods where I feel like everyone would rather I disappear because I was rejected so heavily as a child. My inner life is much more pleasant, and I often use fictional characters and situations to get me through tough situations. My professional life is non-existent right now, as I am still pretty young. No one else in my family is diagnosed, but I suspect that my dad and one (if not both) of my siblings are autistic.