Open Society

Although gestalt language development incorporates some neurodiversity-affirmative strategies (e.g. embracing echolalia), it is also associated with numerous id...

In my experience, being an autistic adult and making friends is probably harder than it was when I was a teenager.

When dairy cows in Texas began falling ill with H5N1, alarmed veterinarians expected a fierce response to contain an outbreak with pandemic-sparking potential. Then politics—and, critics say, a key agency’s mandate to protect dairy-industry revenues—intervened.

More than 1.1 million Australians are estimated to be living with an eating disorder. Around a third of these people are also neurodivergent.

Justice sensitivity. While broadly known of in the Autistic community, there is little discussed about it. When it comes to autism, this phenomenon is extremely relevant given our experience of the world. The issue is that the meaning of the phrase can be easily misunderstood thanks to the framing of the words. It is necessary

Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and the delayed development of object permanence is often not questioned, and is rarely understood. The following paper attempts to explore this idea and suggests reasons for why such development is delayed and the possibility that certain difficult behaviours seen in children with ASC are less likely to be connected to having poor theory of mind and more connected to lacking generalized concepts of object permanence.

The healthcare system often gets in the way of clinicians addressing multiple medical problems at a time. Yet by treating these intertwined medical conditions

— Liz Pellicano (@liz_pellicano)

Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two-part series from our Community Manager, Mal, about creating spaces and structures that validate and honor student difference. Part Two will be posted separately and linked here next week! Published by Human Restoration Project, a 501(c)3 organization restoring humanity to education.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the importance of continuous self-learning cannot be overstated. As educators, professionals, and lifelong learners, we must constantly seek new knowledge and ski…

What grows from the ashes of your old life?

Don’t take away your child’s voice; take away their suffering. ABA is a cruel response to aggressive behavior.

As soon as a parent is aware that their child is autistic, they often ask, “What therapies does my child need?” Terra Vance walks readers through what to prioritize.

It can be confusing knowing what kind of therapy is helpful for your autistic child. This video with transcript should help.

Brenda Rothman mamabegood.blogspot.com An adult’s response to an autistic child’s upset is the single, most important factor in whether the child’s upset is escalated or calmed. We must remain calm. We must understand — at a gut level — that the child’s reaction — whether to yell, hit, bite, or flail — is frustration and that is all. As “disorientation is one of the least bearable of all psychological experiences” (Neufeld & Maté), we must understand that children are disoriented by their emotions, frustrated by communication. It is not personal. It is not hate. It is merely frustration. When we begin to feel overwhelming emotions in response to our children’s actions — like sadness, upset, anger, fear, or resentment — we need to calm ourselves for the immediate moment. However you need to do that — by breathing, talking to yourself, repeating a mantra. For the long term, you will…

Here are the best and most ethical alternatives to ABA therapy for kids diagnosed with autism.

Assimilation is a dangerous and cruel goal for Autistic People (especially considering how many of us will never blend in no matter how hard we try).

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is commonly used to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental…

In short there are no alternatives to ABA because there is no need for an alternative. there is no therapy for being Autistic...

Alternatives to ABA: If not ABA... then WHAT? CONTENT WARNING: This piece discusses ABA and other Conversion Therapies. Reader discretion is… | 16 comments on LinkedIn

In today's society, because we are a small minority, Autistic People are often expected to fit into a world that doesn't take our needs into consideration.

I saw firsthand the other element that ABA targets (education) in November of 2021 when I got involved with a group trying to slow the increase of ABA legislation in funding in Texas.