Blog Briefings

 Hello everyone, all blog breifing are going to be on Sundays at 9:00 untill further notice. Thank you

Is It Person with Autism or Autistic Person, Part 2?

 

A person presented the strongest argument yet I have seen for calling autism a disorder and "person with autism." I should have realized this, as I am a mental health counselor. One of the criteria for autism in diagnostic manuals (DSM and ICD) is impairement. To be diagnosed with autism the person needs to be impaired to some extent. 

Now the DSM refers to social impairment, communicative impairement, and behavioral impairement. Despite what those advoates say,  who argue that autism is an identity and not a disorder, they have to contend with the fact that autism involves impairement.

Is Applied Behavioral Analysis Dangerous to Autistic Children?

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is a highly controversial form of therapy in some autistic communities. Some even claim it is dangerous. This posting will attempt to present a balanced view.

What is ABA? ABA is an applied form of behavioral analysis based on a philosophy called radical behavioralism conceived by B.F. Skinner. Classical behavioralism started in 1913 with John B. Watson's paper "Psychology as the Behavioralist Views It," in which he argued that psychology should focus on observable behaviors. In the 1960's Skinner included thoughts, feelings, and other private events as behavior, something that Watson would have objected to.

Now the controversy. Medical News today presents a very  balanced view of ABA click here for that article. At the forefront  against ABA is the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). For ASAN's viewpoint click here. The European Counsil of Autistic People has issued a similar statement. Click here to read.  There is a post on Reddit that presents a different view. Click here for that post. Also an article published in the peer reviewed publication Autism in 2023 expressed similar information.

On the other hand some disagree with the critics. Leaf, et al. states that all forms of abuse should be taken seriously, but ABA essentially results in positive outcomes. Others have published similar results (Schuck, et al, Schuck, et al, Dawson, Franz, & Brandson, Mathur, Renz, & Tarbox, and Allen, et al.

In conclusion, ABA may result in abuse if employed in certain ways, but it is an an evidenced-based therapy modality and can be used ethically.

Support Group Announcement

 

Hello everyone, This week the support group will be Saturday 20 June 2026 at 1:00 pm.  This week we will be meeting at the Eegees located at 243 E Speedway Blvd. The closest street is 5th ave. This week there will be an open forum We now have a Google Meet link for those that have an issue leaving their home. It will be up at this meeting. Please see this message's footer for the link. The next meeting is supposed to be on  4 July, 2026, but since that date falls on Independance Day, unless anyone objects, I am going to cancel that meeting. See you then Regards,  John Support community location: 243 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ Community Office Phone: (520) 314-6896 Community web site: www.tucsonautismadvocacy.org Community  social   networking site: https://www.meetup.com/Tucson-Adult-Autism-Support-. Google Meet link: To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/hnz-opbt-mos