Many programs for autistics today are designed to change the person from being an autistic to being 'typical'. Some of these strategies are done by coercive and also aversive means. Such approaches as ABA and its spin-off verbal behavior are paramount to treating individuals in an animalistic fashion and based on stimulus-response. Such strategies may cause a person to become more compliant and even robotic but does not give them any real context for developing new skills. It forces them to enter a world that is foreign to them.
Instead, approaches towards helping autistics should be focused on self-determination, respect, and dignity. Rather than forcing them to conformity to the world of 'typicals', it should have others seek to enter and understand their worlds and to help the autistic to be able to navigate through the challenges presented by the mainstream. Programs should also respect the unique means of perceptions and talents that autistics do present with.
Also, one who is autistic today will be autistic tomorrow. Why do we look at being autistic automatically as a dilemma? Why do we need to 'treat' these individuals, and exactly what is it that we are 'treating' and what is our definition of what 'works'? Is our objective to force an autistic to act as a typical? Is that 'treatment'? Would it be ethical for us to force assimilation on an ethnic minority? Rather, if we are to employ 'treatment' at all, it should be to help the person be able to navigate through the foreign world of the mainstream, not to try to change those things which are an intrinsic part of their being. Various programs should eliminate coercion and force and return to the need to respect the uniqueness, creativity, and individual differences present in those who are autistic.
KINGSTON, PA AUTISM CONSULTATION Dr. Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D.,B.C.S.A.,DAPA- is a highly sought after psychotherapist, Existential Psychoanalyst, autism specialist, social activist, speaker,and author. Dr. Edmunds's work is devoted to drug free, relational approaches for children, adults, and families undergoing extreme states of mind, autism and trauma. Dr. Edmunds can be reached for consultation at batushkad@yahoo.com. Dr. Edmunds' private practice is in Kingston and Tunkhannock, PA.
Dr. Dan L. Edmunds, Ed.D,B.C.S.A.,DAPA.
e-mail: batushkad@yahoo.com
1 comment:
Dr. Edmunds,
I recently attended an IEP meeting for my granddaughter who is 11.5 years old. Dx aspergers. My question to the team was why is every IEP designed with the intention of trying to get my granddaughter to conform to standards that we have known for 8 years she cannot conform to? You are setting her up for failure. Of course the subject of medications come up everytime. I will never allow it. I am surprised that most parents have not figured this out yet. My granddaughter continues to moved forward (at her own pace) I am a human snow plow that widens the narrow path that our education system has created that destroys our childrens creativity, and individualism. If they cannot conform they are labeled as mentally ill and drugged into submission. This cannot continue. We are destroying a whole generation. The pressure from this sytem is overwhelming. I cannot attend PAC meeting becasue the conversation is usually about the cemical cocktails their children are on. The hospitalizations that the side effects cause that are usually lead to another mental health diagnosis and more psych drugs. How can they be so blind?
Peggy
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