Aspies For Freedom

The only thing I seem to get negative from stimming is other peoples reaction to it.Do you stop your son from stimming?If so does it bother him to stop or his he glad you remind him not to?

For inquiring minds:

ABA: "any studies show that ABA is effective in increasing behaviors and teaching new skills (Goldstein, 2002; Odom et al., 2003; McConnell, 2002). In addition, many studies demonstrate that ABA is effective in reducing problem behavior (Horner et al., 2002). A number of studies also indicate that, when implemented intensively (more than 20 hours per week) and early in life (beginning prior to the age of 4 years), ABA may produce large gains in development and reductions in the need for special services (Smith, 1999); however, large studies with strong experimental designs are needed to confirm the results reported for intensive, early intervention. (http://www.asatonline.org/resources/trea...pplied.htm)"

"THE MISBEHAVIOUR OF BEHAVIOURISTS
Ethical Challenges to the Autism-ABA Industry

by Michelle Dawson
  
Since the publication of O. Ivar Lovaas' landmark 1987 study, scientific and legal attention has been lavished on Applied Behaviour Analysis as an autism treatment. Dr Lovaas' supporters and opponents, whether principled or opportunist, have been loud, plentiful, prolific, and well-credentialed. But when it comes to the test of ethics, to allotting autistics rudimentary ethical consideration, all sides and factions for and against ABA have persistently and thoroughly failed. (http://www.sentex.net/~nexus23/naa_aba.html)"

I feel that the problem with treatment is the power given to the "experts (defined by those with the most education)".  Intervention, especially when foisted on nonconsenting minors, needs to be designed with full team consideration, giving all members having equal power (please read this CAREFULLY, JOS111).  Because some people are intimidated by letters (e.g. PhD), it is imperitive that 'those who may be intimidating' authentically welcome and encourage all viewpoints and stress their importance to the team decision regarding intervention.  The 'potential intimidators' need to learn to be comfortable with ROLE RELEASE, and to be desiminators of information in the area in which they have additional education.

I have strong feelings against imperious PhDs, MS, etc., who feel they are the sole repositories of knowledge and their viewpoint is the correct one.  Who insist that ABA is the only way and they have the studies to prove it.  Their arrogance is a shield for the ignorance to which they prefer to remain oblivious.  These are the professionals who want to meet in private first in order to present a united front to the "poor ingorant parents".  They present parents with reports at the meeting (so they do not have time to read them and question effectively).  I have served on many teams who used this approach.

When faced with this, parents can request advocates (or hire lawyers) from their state department of disability law.  

Just for fun - I grew up on the campus of Indiana University (Bloomington), where skinner, an early behavorist whose work was a basis for ABA, taught.  The older sister of a boyfriend of mine for many years was raised in a 'skinner box' and he was the first twin to be raised in one.  Bloomington was also where Kinsey did his research on sexual behavior.  It was the best town to grow up in!!

I don't know if it was the skinner box, that their mom was an incredible alcoholic (MD20/20 was her drink of choice), or the $1,000,000 each was given at age 21 in order to practice for their real inherentence.  

The dad "discovered" picasso and had about a dozen (as well as van goghs, monets, etc), but the real money came from the Mom's grandfather inventing of the road grater.

"The ritualistic behavior that is characteristic of autism is strongly suppressed. "Hands down," says a teacher to a child who begins to flap. "We're not a culture that accepts that," says Taylor. "Fifty percent of the battle is addressing behavior to look good.""

I'd much rather my son was happy and flapping than a miserable wee robot who kept his hands still and trotted out standard phrases that had been drummed into him relentlessly for 40 hours a week.  What kind of childhood is that?  What a terrible school!

The other school sounded much more joyful - making things  fun for the kids and letting them share small triumphs and activities with each other.  And I noticed it was about 2/3 of the cost of the ABA school, although still expensive!

I also had intended a short rant on the comment that 50% of the "battle" is about "looking good"!  In fact, there's more than one rant in there!  20 hours a week on looking good!  Looking good!!

Who cares?  What kind of parent cares more about how "good" their child looks than how happy and fulfilled their child is?  All people have individual quirks and characteristics, some more negative and harmful than others.  I'd rather have a son who flapped his hands than one who lied, or who bullied, or who got into fights or who was wilfully insolent.  But of course, you can be extremely anti-social and look good at the same time, so ...that'll make all those negatives irrelevant then.  Just don't flap your hands!  People might look at us!

not bullshit (biased opinion).  aren't adults nervous and unhappy at times? do you think a 40 year old who "stims" to be a way in which s/he could have a fulfilled life? Not many woman would date a man who tantrum or be empathic.  And the history of children on the spectrum growing up, having jobs and successful relationships is just not that great.  Don't you think that perhaps developmentally, infants and children might have missed some milestones that perhaps make them anxious?  Why can't we try to re mediate, provide safe environments in which the child can learn to deal with these anxieties in a more dynamic way.

Stopping stimming is actually a physical impossibility for me, short of giving me something all absorbing to focus on I have to fidget with something.  To stop would require a constant, intense mental focus that would be a stim in itself and would make it impossible to do anything, and as soon as I stop thinking about stopping all my movements at least one would start again.

I have one coat with little buttons in the sleeves that I can snap and unsnap in an undetectable fashion.  I like this coat, I think this kind of thing would be worth putting into other clothing.

Spavsner: I didn't really understand that.  Are you saying stimming behavior makes a fulfilling life impossible or what?