Letting Go of Control and Rethinking Support for Autistic Individuals | Amy Laurent | TEDxURI

Instead of trying to control the behaviors of individuals with autism to make them indistinguishable from the general public, Amy Laurent, PhD, OTR/L suggests a positive shift in focus that supports the development of their emotional skills. She is joined virtually by her colleagues Michael John Carley, Patti Menzel, Neal Katz, Stephen Shore, Dena Gassner, Patrick Quinn, and Jacquelyn Fede. Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Educational Consultant This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@NicolePark84]

Forcing us who are autistic to modify our behaviour (to make other people more comfortable) is like forcing an NT person to learn not to smile when they are happy

[@NicolePark84]

@Syd Barger People who aren't autistic are referred to as allistic. Neurodiversity encompasses more than just autism. NTs are non-neurodiverse people. Not sure what's wrong about making statements about neurotypical people. Autistic brains are wired differently and there's less of us than the rest of the global population hence we are not typical. What's the problem here? I'm assuming you are NT. Are you jealous because you think that being called NT doesn't make you special? Please clarify

[@jcheri9948]

Nicole, I have been saying this for years, it is SO damaging.

[@sharonjensen3016]

@@jcheri9948 Too bad so-called normal people take too long to catch up and realise that those they labelled "freaks" were right all along. Usually forty years too late.

[@erebus53]

The other thing that was breezed past (I'm assuming due to time constraints) is the scary reality that when you train anyone for compliance, when you train them to be pliable to powerful or authoritative people, you open up a person to be abused by those in authority over them. When you train sensitive persons to know that the way they are is Less Important than others, then some will try to avoid all social conflicts by being a people-pleaser, or by never questioning authority, or staying silent in abusive situations. Compliance training, is a step on the path of grooming of abuse victims.

[@dawnsmith4275]

This is exactly what I think about when I see strict ABA people working on "Instructional Control" as their first goal. They are teaching kids to do whatever adults tell them to do, no matter how wrong it feels. Very dangerous.

[@amyl9222]

Not enough time, but enough time to stoke the conversation which hopefully expands to points like this.

[@statnoise5843]

Believe me, that is exactly my experience. When I stand up for myself, I'm told I'm being selfish, but my actual _needs_ aren't being met, intentionally, and that's abuse.

[@benjaminschooley3108]

"Compliance training"...with language and social skills, actually improves people's ability to resist abuse. The people who experience the highest rates of physical abuse and neglect are people with intellectual and developmental delays..

[@mwilson1223]

@@benjaminschooley3108 but that can depend entirely on how the language and social skills were obtained. If we are teaching masking that doesn't help confidence to use speech to communicate abuse and for some (or many) autistic people they have been so conditioned to preceive this well intentioned abuse as appropriate that they are left confused and self questioning.

[@dianathomas2674]

This is so disturbing, I have no words. I had no idea of the level of mistreatment of children on the autism spectrum. When I took kiddo to his first (and only) sensory integration session, I thought we were just unlucky with the therapist. She completely overwhelmed the toddler by touching him vigorously (who would like a stranger touching them at all, right?), and when he completely lost it at the end, screaming like he was skinned alive, she told me to firmly tell him not to misbehave! She even started off saying she had sensory issues, as well, so I cannot comprehend her lack of empathy and common sense. Parents, protect your children!

[@conniegarvie]

​​@Yuqing Lee interesting that the only place I hear about these "herbs" is one of Your comments and replies! Wonder why? In fact, I've seen these exact words used in several of your posts! I don't think you just happened upon this. I think you work with this Dr!

[@HarryPotter-kb7we]

A misconception. They actually think sensory issues = low tolerance to sensory stimuli. But that's only part of it. The other part is actually being more capable at capturing sensory information from the environment + monotropism. Therapy to increase tolerance won't do anything to this other part.

[@cheyennepetersen3417]

this is THE ONLY video on autism I've seen that features an actual spectrum of autistic people, particularly adults. We constantly see children with so-called behavioral issues but never autistic adults with a RANGE of traits. I love this.

[@nicholaslandry6367]

I think jubilee did a "do all autistics think the same" or whatever it's called video that had a decent spectrum of individuals

[@monkieri2]

You're right, but bare minimum

[@woodyboot9355]

Them as adults

[@criticalmaz1609]

Wow, yeah, trying to fix my autism by telling me to stop twiddling my fingers is kind of like trying to fix a broken leg by getting a haircut.

[@monadelahookeph.d.1289]

Amy, THANK YOU. We must switch the focus from behavior management to emotional regulation! This forms the basis of my recommendations for all school systems, so that we stop contributing to iatrogenic PTSD for our neurodivergent students.

[@HaileyAndTheArt]

I love the way you put this.

[@nunyabusiness3786]

Iatrogenic?

[@rachelshovel5790]

Amy thank you for providing some much needed advice. I'm concerned my.11 dghter paraprofessional is not trained in children with autism. She is not aware of " stimming". She thought my daughter was telling.her to be quite. I have requested a new para then school refuses. I'm trying to learn from a.professional point of you. I only.bring Sophia’s lived experience. I appreciate and understand the need to make a shift from behavioral management to emotional regulation. Only if Sophia's elementary knew and understood.

[@damonkirsebom3243]

Yes, thank you, Dr. Delahooke! I would suggest anyone watching/reading here should look to your work. I find it impossible to be emotionally (and even physically) regulated when trusting relationships are absent.

[@Laezar1]

"Treating" autism by encouraging masking shows such a narrow minded view of autism. It's not about making the person feel better, it's about making them fit in and not be disruptive to "normal" people.

[@damonkirsebom3243]

Amy Laurent, I love this presentation so much. It is so evident that you have listened to autistic individuals, and have grasped what is important. As a nonspeaking autistic, so much of my youth and childhood was spent working on programs which were meant to help me. I learned to keep my hands quiet, my mouth quiet, my shoulders still, my eyes "nice" (no squinting), and "a nice calm body"---but at the cost of starting to have meltdowns at age 15. It was devastating, because I was blamed for loosing my cool, but really, I lost control of my body because I was denied the coping strategies that helped me stay in control of my body (I flap, squint, hop, hum, chatter, flick my shoulders up and down...). Further, it was humiliating to be confined to behaving in ways that others deemed appropriate. I realize that the person who designed my program meant well, but she did not understand my nervous system, and the dysregulation her strategies led to. Thank you so much for putting the word out.

[@michelleporter5878]

Amen. I am newly diagnosed at 49. Women are underrecognized, undersupported. I work as a teacher (HS) and know the whole thing needs revamping. Very difficult for NTs to accept.

[@elizabethf8078]

I work for a school district too. Special Ed needs to change the way spectrum people are served.

[@statnoise5843]

Thank you for this - I'll be sharing it all over the place. I was given ABA "therapy" throughout my education, and it made me inherently unable to stand up for myself, I panic at confronting authority and I can't properly communicate - even though I'm pretty eloquent when I'm not overstimmed or triggered (I also have PTSD from my older brother, and high school teacher using physical intimidation).

[@necelticsox]

I have a hard time confronting authority when they're in the wrong as well. Thanks a lot, ABA.

[@Dancestar1981]

necelticsox I didn’t have ABA I’m a 39 yo female Aspie and I still have trouble doing this working on it all my life. I wasn’t diagnosed until age 23. I was bullied all my life and have gotten to the point now where I’m determined to fight back and speak up for my rights.

[@jonnybingham1]

thank you for sharing. Peace and blessings

[@IcanSeeMyselfOutThanks]

ABA is the most empirically-backed, evidence based procedure clinically shown to help autistic individuals. Look up "The National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice". A wealth of information showing interventions used in ABA to be helpful and successful

[@LilG2105]

@@IcanSeeMyselfOutThanks successful in making autistic people more tolerable for allistic people, not successful in not causing PTSD and trauma for the autistic people that endured it. Both verbal and nonverbal autistics are speaking out against ABA. Listen to the people who suffered from ABA.

[@katieh8226]

How many times have you seen people in the stands at a sporting event jumping and flapping when they're excited. We all have some "stim" that helps us express our feelings or soothes us when we are overstimulated. It's time we all acknowledge this and embrace it for the well being of everyone.

[@ashleywallace4409]

As a Mom whose 3 year old just got diagnosed with autism. I am so grateful I came across this

[@anonymouschange287]

The flapping and jumping and rocking is comforting. All those ‘ticks’ are comforting. They are very functional, and if punished often lead to depression and anxiety. Also 7:15 I want that fidget

[@hope4autism475]

In the real world, society laughs or gets weirded out by autistic individuals that do these things. The world isn't ready for people on the spectrum yet, if they were, then they would have more support, but they don't, it really sucks. I have a son on the spectrum, and I helped him get rid of his stimming, and rocking because I know how the world is. He still is who he is, which is beautiful, but now he has replaced those physical tics with words/emotions/communication.

[@genericname8727]

@@hope4autism475 stimming helps with overstimulation. Learning to accept being stressed and to hide who you are because bullies exist isn’t great. Stimming is perfectly healthy and everyone does it to some extent.

[@necelticsox]

@@hope4autism475 He could pretty soon develop anxiety because of the repression. We HAVE to swim. The world isn't ready for autistic people yet, but it will never be if you don't try to make it ready. We autistics are trying to change society for the better of autistics because we have to. If we don't, we're going to develop depression and/or anxiety and might even kill ourselves if those things get to be too much for us to handle. Autistics are 8 times more likely to kill themselves for a reason. The world must be changed so that we autistics can ensure our survival.

[@zanzaboonda]

@@hope4autism475 Please do not discourage him from stimming.

[@hope4autism475]

@@zanzaboondaI never have, I just helped him to express himself in a different way. He is a very happy young man.

[@FoxHowton]

Thank you, Amy, for emphasising our needs! There is so much PTSD in autistic adults because our needs were disrespected, boundaries violated, and "self regulating behaviour" suppressed, just to keep the NT caregivers/teachers/society accept [the heavily masked version of] us. Even now, with health care providers, the amount of gaslighting we face when we emphasise/ask for accomodations is unreal - so thank you for helping us turn the Trend.

[@Authentistic-ism]

Seriously. I was turned away from a domestic violence shelter because I was having a meltdown after what must have been a minor understanding during the intake paperwork. I was signing documents I didn't understand and I was wanting them to go slower but I was crying. I had arrived in crisis after fleeing with my life. I was able to go to a regular non domestic violence homeless shelter but I was kicked out for a meltdown after some bullying from other homeless woman. Attributed my meltdown to drug abuse or recalcitrance or something. At the time I did not have an Autism diagnosis and I was completely disenfranchised and disempowered from getting one. I had three strikes against me at the homeless shelter one of which was that I failed to get myself on the correct Medicaid without any help, which I was trying to do to get a diagnosis so that I could ask for more accommodations at the shelter which was going to kick me out before I realized. The second strike was a meltdown and the third strike was another meltdown.

[@yoyoda67]

I feel so sad that you had those experiences. I hope things are better for you now.

[@SadisticSenpai61]

Get on the correct Medicaid without any help?! Seriously?! That's... Filling out that paperwork is daunting and challenging at the best of times, but when you're stressed about being homeless, that's gotta be so much worse! I want to go scream at them with my best Karen impression for such unrealistic standards. Virtual hugs! I hope you're in a better place financially and physically now.

[@Authentistic-ism]

@yuqinglee7583 could you not. this is offensive. i am reporting. you obviously didn't even watch the video

[@MotifMusicStudios]

I really appreciate that you went into your profession with so much openness and inquiry. More voices like yours are so needed. Thank you.

[@MotifMusicStudios]

I actually got all teary hearing how you engaged with Corey from the start. Such gratitude.

[@monkieri2]

She wasn't even a professional at the beginning and she still grasped leagues more than most professionals do. It's really as simple as listening to autistic people in the many ways we express ourselves.

[@tiphneewestry3129]

As a mother with one child who has autism and is non-verbal and another child with what used to be called Mr is now considered intellectual disabilities I am so grateful and appreciative for this video because you clearly expressed what I have been unable to say to the people providing the ABA therapy for my son over the last six weeks and we have literally argued repetitively but now I can concise the express to them why were arguing I'm coming from a different perspective than they are so thank you so much for this information.

[@yoyoda67]

And you are correct to feel the way you do. I used token reward system as a way to remind me to notice when my child's behavior improved. Everything we worked on was something that he wanted to work on. Without that cooperation his progress would have been much less successful because it would not be an achievement for him and would not bring joy for us both.

[@Ash-72]

When you're talking about the distracting hand flapping, I can't help but think of my autistic niece who's a competitive gymnast. Before a gymnast starts a routine, and they haven't saluted to a judge yet, they're supposed to be able to squirm and do whatever they want (seriously, this is the time you usually see them pick wedgies and such). Anyway, my niece hand flaps, but once she salutes, she pulls it all together. A judge docked her for this hand flapping, and when asked about it by one of the coaches the judge said it was too distracting... Even though that does not line up with the rules at all. So now, if you watch my niece closely before saluting to the judge, you'll see her toes wiggling like crazy. My biggest frustration with this, is that if my niece "looked" less "neurotypical" it wouldn't have been an issue. Regardless, it shouldn't have been an issue.

[@blonze69]

Agreed

[@hirorop5367]

I hope Cory is okay? Or was he part of the group invited? Thank you for featuring adults. It gives me hope for my young son 🙏❤️

[@fudsicle678]

I come away feeling people on the spectrum are showing us there is another way to be who we are naturally And question why must I be made to comply to a system that does not allow individuality.. I want to express natural happiness like jumping up and down. I am not a robot without a heart. I am a heartfelt human being wanting true freedom of expression with a loving intent. We need more people like this professional to lead the way with these kids & adults They need understanding rather than controlled behaviors. Raun Kaufman has great ideas that should be shared here.

[@Duncangafney1]

Neuro typical normal people want to and try to teach Autistic people to be normal and judge them on their ability to be "normal". I am Aspergers, I had no idea I was till age 44, now 6 years later, I understand myself far better and the one thing I know for total certainty is as follows: Autistic people are different and there is nothing wrong with that. I am way better at some things that any neurotypical normal person I have ever heard of, I like myself, and my Aspergers is not a weakness, it's a strength. Autistic people need to be taught my other autistic people, not by neuro normals. It's like having men trying to teach girls how to be a girl.. it's not going to work..

[@juliadixon8465]

Well said

[@jcheri9948]

"Treatment" like ABA therapy designed to force ND people to mask stimming is part of the reason that suicide is the # 1 cause of death for us. It causes real pain, emotional and physical. Thank you for including real autistic adults, we have a voice and many opinions on this subject but nobody seems to want to listen. Love to this lady!

[@IcanSeeMyselfOutThanks]

oh? Can you cite your scientific sources where it says ABA is the #1 cause of suicide in autistics? I feel like you will not be responding....

[@aspennie]

@@IcanSeeMyselfOutThanks they said PART OF the reason.

[@IcanSeeMyselfOutThanks]

@@aspennie and yet, they still can't cite their sources where they got that information. Why? Because they made it up.

[@Trutka91]

"Stims are non-functional and disruptive" ...said a person who likes small talks xD

[@necelticsox]

She wasn't saying she believes that. She was just quoting that as an idea that she heard of that she was troubled by.

[@Trutka91]

@@necelticsox I know. I just tried to make a joke. Did I fail? xD

[@marymurphy1429]

@@Trutka91 I understood the joke

[@SabrinaWohlman]

@@Trutka91 I got it because I like small talk for that exact reason. They feel like social lubrication for awkward encounters.

[@alexolivers9476]

@@necelticsox Well I suppose that the joke could be referring to the originator of the quote

[@WorldofCosplay1]

"they are unfeeling, they live in emotional blindness" That comment really pisses me off. we have the same emotions that everyone else has. we just don't express them the same way neurotypical people do. making a statement like that on an educational platform is incredibly harmful to the autistic community.

[@robyngerbush677]

she was using those as quotes from what she was reading. those were examples of the "concerning themes" she encountered. she wasn't spreading that info like it was true.

[@benjaminschooley3108]

And I challenge anyone to find even a single behavior analyst who has said this or thinks this way..

[@africanchicaful]

@@benjaminschooley3108 Unfortunately, I know a few who have made similar comments about Autistic people being "anti-social" or lacking empathy. Not just behavior analysts, but also other professionals that work with children on the spectrum (e.g. speech therapists, occupational therapists, special educators). I'm a speech therapist myself and I believe we definitely need to reframe how we think about Autism and support for Autistic people.

[@benjaminschooley3108]

@@africanchicaful well I'm not talking about similar statements, I'm asking about someone who is a BCBA saying explicitly that these people are unfeeling or lack emotions. The things you listed are practically synonymous with the DSM criteria for an autism diagnosis to begin with (and honestly anecdotal accounts are at the end of the day..anecdotal, you'll never find that in print).

[@africanchicaful]

​@@benjaminschooley3108 I agree that those exact words are probably not written somewhere in print & I don't think anyone said they were. It's the thinking behind those words that I believe is prevalent and should evolve. Also, anecdotal accounts are useful! There are so many Autistic adults taking time to share their experiences, stories and what has worked/not worked for them in therapy. This is great for Evidence - Based Practice, which requires therapists to consider current research AND client perspectives!

[@Namadu7]

I will admit, I was a bit disappointed when the audience laughed at the idea of jumping and flapping to express joy. Guess it shows that we've got a ways to go in terms of acceptance.

[@necelticsox]

Maybe they weren't laughing at the idea as much as they were laughing with joy at the thought of jumping and flapping to express joy.

[@Aiken47]

They were laughing at the irony of the situation and the memories of what we do as uninhibited excited children

[@osahju914]

When in the video?

[@osahju914]

Maybe it was the way she spoke simultaneously

[@aislingcavanaugh1902]

Everyone she wasn’t saying she thought we were unfeeling, she was quoting people who said that and saying they were wrong. This whole talk is about letting us be who we are

[@nahoryb-b6995]

I was rather sceptical when your talk started as your language was not precisely assertive, from my perspective. However, I remained open and I was surprised with your talk and how you approached this. The fact that you involved adults with autism just made it assertive, helpful, relevant, INCLUSIVE. THANK YOU!

[@monkieri2]

Exactly, I was preparing for the worst at the start

[@mellinghedd267]

when I was a kid a classroom helper of mine told me I wasn’t allowed spin while I walked through the halls. I asked why, and she asked me in return whether I saw anyone else doing it. I asked her why that mattered, and I can’t say I remember her coming up with a compelling answer…

[@hobocode]

This is SO TRUE. I went to college for Speech Language Pathology and got pushed out because I so deeply disagreed with the oppression and cruelty I was seeing. So much pain CAUSED by SLPs. Families torn apart and given the WORST POSSIBLE advice.... Thank you for speaking the truth. I was pushed out for doing the same despite having INCREDIBLE results when allowed to actually investigate and work directly with children. Parents loved me. Bosses and professors hated any "why" questions.

[@jewelslove2200]

ALL OUR LIVES WE HAD TO ADAPT TO A WORLD THAT IS DESIGNED AND BUILT FOR NEUROTYPICALS. IT'S TIME THAT THE MAJORITY START ADAPTING TO US. IT'S ONLY FAIR. IF THEY CAN BE THEMSELVES AND BE ACCEPTED FOR IT, WE MUST ALSO BE OURSELVES AND DEMAND TO BE ACCEPTED NO LESS. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MAJORITY, IT'S ABOUT SHARED HUMANITY AND EVOLVEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY.

[@Aiken47]

When I have a buildup of emotion or anxiety I have to get it out usually at high volume, I generally cut through the BS of the situation and tear into the root cause. That root cause is usually an arrogant attitude. My biggest conflict in life is just because a person is quiet in their arrogance doesn’t make it less so, because I’m perceived as “overreacting “ doesn’t take from the arrogance either and I’m not the root cause, get rid of the attitude and you’ll not trigger my reaction to it. I’m undiagnosed @ 52

[@michelleharris2601]

Thank you Amy!! This message is so needed in the world of neurotypical parents raising neurodiverse kids!

[@amyl9222]

Thank you ! so glad it resonated with you!

[@rachelgoad4768]

This needs so many more views.

[@galespressos]

❤ Helping people maximize their potential, regulation emotions, and deal with risk factors is a great strategy. That way society can also benefit from the valuable unique traits of the individuals. Much better than suppressing and repressing, basically killing the individual and their value.

[@necelticsox]

2:01 Ugh my therapist and parents used to tell me not to do "silly talking".

[@rosamajlis5436]

Well, that sounds helpful. I probably would have asked them to write a list of all examples, what they consider as "silly talk".

[@annastern3705]

I luv this! It brought tears to my eyes! Let's start treating people with autism the way we want to be treated. With respect and love

[@canndydrivegaming9831]

Put knowledge above money

[@doosin8696]

Put knowledge above the lambos

[@Authentistic-ism]

I definitely experienced extreme joy before. In my body it feels certain Sensations very similar to extreme negative emotions. For the same physical Sensations as being overwhelmed. I can tell the difference but I have learned to repress my expression of Joy because I was trying to repress my expression of anger or sadness or fear. It's a very physical inhibition of things my body might do with the emotional experience and it is very stressful. I got punished for crying and told to be happy, then punished for laughing and told to be quiet. It was very confusing mixed messages

[@lugaruna]

I love your reaction to corry's behavioral therapistXD. Technicly speaking his hands are quiet so he is doing what he is supossed to:p. Thank you for not emidiatly thinking so this is what the studies say so it must be true. Thank you for taking the time to also study what you see and experiance with the children:).

[@donkeeefarms3795]

More people need to watch this….

[@lukanichols4787]

Fantastic. Absolutely spot on. Thank you to the autistic speakers and thank you to Amy for lifting up their voices.

[@an_anishinaabe_son]

I'm autistic. I don't like the so-called "person-first" language. Saying a "person with autism" is divisive. It separates the person from the autism. I am autism. Autism is me. Divisive language confuses me and hurts me. I'm an autistic man.

[@an_anishinaabe_son]

@@Anonymous-df8it whatever works for you, is what works. "Coloured people" or "people of colour"--- whatever works for each respective individual who fits that description, is what works. Each individual of any description gets to identify as seems best for that respective individual.

[@an_anishinaabe_son]

@@Anonymous-df8it This is my second reply: I don't suffer from Neurotypical Syndrome, so, if you will, please let me know if you're a "Neurotypical person" or a "person with Neurotypy."😉

[@an_anishinaabe_son]

@@Anonymous-df8it what makes something "better"?

[@an_anishinaabe_son]

@@Anonymous-df8it I believe you're so insistent on controlling other peoples' experience, that you fail to understand that "what is best" is determined by each individual for themselves.

[@christahewitt2758]

I want to thank each and everyone of you who shared in this video, the Neurotypical and the Autistic people. You have no idea how much this video might have helped people.

[@goblinwisdom]

Jumping and flapping corey was just super excited, it just escapes. Like when they get overwhelmed and their ' bucket gets full' and they have a meltdown, it's the same with positive emotion. Happy is super happy, sad is end of the world. I heard a professional say ' oh child X doesn't have feelings because he is autistic'. that was 2 years ago -_-'

[@I_AM_HYDRAA]

All emotions are soo strong

[@tehrinny7031]

Agreed. It's all or nothing for me. I can't pinpoint an exact emotion unless it's intense to the point where I'm physically reacting. I recognize the physical sensations of the emotion, or even the release of chemicals. I can pick up the mood of a room, and it will effect my mood greatly. But I may have a flat affect. I may think I am smiling, but it's really just my mouth pulling a little more horizontally. But the smile I show for the camera, or when I'm really enjoying myself is entirely different. I used to work in retail and in retail management (ran a small store belonging to a value chain within the US and Canada). I didn't know I was autistic, and I'm now seeking a diagnosis. I'm what some would erroneously call mildly autistic, but that's only because my behaviors mildly effect them. I became very good at blending in. I did okay as a cashier, stocker, or assistant manager. But once I was a salaried store manager working a minimum of 50 hours and always on call, I had no time to recharge and recover. I was constantly stimming. My office was full of every stim toy I could find in the store (we had a lot, I now keep them at my home office desk). I was trying to find places to "hide" or do busy-work. "It's loud in here, guess it's a good time to re-arrange the back room AGAIN." I formed great relationships with my employees and co-workers, even some of the NT ones, and still maintain them after leaving. But I was burnt out so badly, the masking, the being pulled in 50 directions at once, the inability to follow my plans because of constant changes I had no control over. I remember recording myself a few weeks before I left and again a few weeks after, and just noticing the difference. I was rocking a lot, fidgeting with my hands, messing with my hair. When I feel emotions strongly, they're often displayed by repetitive behavior more-so than what the average neurotypical may display.

[@MrZacchery]

Absolutely true, I hope to see this paradigm shift.

[@dustinbirley3031]

My greatest times were when I got to spend time with kids living with Autism as a volunteer.

[@jlgmentorshipLLC]

We, make many "socially inappropriate " choices, behavior, but we try to mask the behavior by thinking its ok, we needed to do it, we needed to "take it out of our system," autism is the same.

[@jewelslove2200]

very important message

[@justbeegreen]

Fantastic talk! I especially appreciated hearing the experiences directly from autistic adults.

[@andrealizerbram2241]

Please check you closed captioning because it has many mistakes. I want to send this to my colleagues who are Deaf but see that the CC isn't always correct.

[@scottsheffield6474]

This particular closed captioning is automatic - the words are generated by a computer. This happens when nobody has gone through the video and done the captioning themselves. You can tell it's automatic because each word appears one at a time, whereas if it is manual, whole sentences appear at once.

[@zanzaboonda]

I would appeal to the Ted organization via their website.

[@heryzo-prdk]

awesome share... being a dad of an autistic son, I've seen how helping it is for my son when he feels trusted

[@marvincartagena2260]

My hat off to you, i always learn something from these videos, makes me understand my behavior and my kid's, thank you, wish the whole world could learn a little about this.

[@user-rv8zf6dm9j]

Love her. Love this. Love it all. So happy to see such wonderful ideas and programs available to these kiddos other than compliance based programs.

[@uvpdesch]

This was wonderful. Thank you.

[@lolalocks9163]

LOVE THIS

[@topherjifu]

Thank you.

[@CigdemS]

Feeling safe in an environment is a human need, accomodations need to be in place to eliminate triggers, inclusion and being genuinely attentive and giving feedback are important…

[@SW-oc6fq]

I wish I could like this so much more!!!

[@danamah710]

This is a very helpful message that provides insight on how the folks on the spectrum respond to the environment.

[@nataliekhalilrealtor]

Thank you die this video, it’s very helpful

[@arielaea37]

Thank you so much for the talk and for the speaker to address this matter. Let go! 🙌🏼😊

[@williampinheiro8211]

Amazing, congratulations for your job ❤

[@clairerobertson4442]

Ye, iv never tried to stop layla doing these things but work with her when she gets emotionally upset. Differences is what she has, sensory issues, social situations, anxiety, late developing, slower educational learning, constipation, over sensitive, no patience - heightened states etc,

[@playingaroundwithpam]

Bravo!!

[@apollicino2824]

Thanks for including community member voices. :)

[@blonze69]

Yes!! Yes!! Yes!! Thank you soooooooo much!!

[@sjones8117]

This is excellent. Amy Laurent, I am impressed!

[@amyl9222]

Thank you! My AUsome and autistic colleagues are the stars!

[@AmusedAtMusing]

I love you! 💕 You are just the best! 💕

[@joshmcdowall2236]

Hallelujah!

[@canndydrivegaming9831]

Love new skills

[@AutisticBrain]

Thank you for this talk I think that you are right and we don’t need ABA we need understanding as autistic people.

[@suncatcherone3995]

Bravo!

[@Benlocsei]

The difference between neurotypical and autistic people talking about autism is absolutely staggering.

[@ACE1062682]

I completely agree with the premise of this video. It's a challenge of emotional regulation, completely understandable. I have a new coworker for whom this is a challenge. Some things she's completely dialed in to(almost too much at times and other times she just zones out. I understand it's about skill development. Are there any small supportive ways I can help foster this in the workplace so that things are more of a gradual adjustment for her, particularly in switching tasks? There isn't a lot of this in our work but there is some, particularly in the order or time during the day something has to happen. Sometimes she completely freezes or will outright ignore a critical instruction because it's a change. Or sometimes she will very loudly tell us that she doesn't think something will work and stop the collaborative process of the team. She is great at her job, with plenty to add, but at times the insistence on routine is not possible. I'd welcome any thoughts

[@vincentssoul2369]

great informative talk, there is an interesting video from Teal Swan about Autism

[@beet10]

Wonderful!

[@amyl9222]

Thank you! Thank you for listening to the voices of my AUsome colleagues!

[@heatherbuckley2898]

I just hate that this child had a behavior analyst like this. Good for you for challenging them and treating Corey like a human being.

[@tammybennett3964]

Yes!!!

[@haneentariq4049]

1. For people with sensory difficulties, what are some risk factors for deregulation? (5:53) 2. What can autism feel like? (8:15) 3. How do autistic people feel when efforts are made to make them appear similar to neurotypical people? (10:54) 4. What can be the long-term problem with making autistic people just like neurotypical people? (12:27) 5. What does regulation mean in terms of autism? (14:01) 6. How can others make autistic people feel better? (16:07) 7. What can we learn from people with autism? (18:03) 8. What do autistic people want from neurotypical people? (18:47) 9. How can we help autistic people reach their full potential? (14:34)

[@ritahodges254]

Listening and talk about social situations I force myself into social situations now to a certain extent I usually only do that with one or two people that I don't know or a small group of people I do know but I always felt so other so different so you always tried to push myself to be norma.l I'm not normal. And that is so very very hard at times sometimes I'm okay with it other times like right now I cry because of it I am very lucky that the family that I have now who except for one of them are not the family of my birth I'm very lucky with them because they no I'm different and yet times it irritates them but they love me and that's more important to them.

[@nickglover9007]

You still have to think about implicit normalizing values that might turn up as emotional regulation strategies. Beware of good intentions and or the depth of normalizing efforts in the name of 'health'.

[@emiliapoprawa5962]

ABA needs to be replaced by a new ways of supporting people with autism

[@jessl1934]

ABA needs to be replaced by a way of _actually_ supporting people with autism

[@Lyonatan]

I was a 5 star student now I'm nothing but a walking talking imposter syndrome example.

[@jc6108]

Is there something like ABA without extinguishing those behaviors? Is there a different therapy? As a parent am I allowed to tell them not to do that? My son was JUST diagnosed so this is SO new.

[@AN-jc4gm]

There are occupational therapists who do not use ABA. I can't tell you what you're "allowed" to do, but ask yourself: is x behavior harmful to anyone? If yes, your son will need to learn skills to react to whatever is causing the behaviors in a nonharmful way. If not, let him be and try to understand the reason for the behavior. Look up Ask an Autistic groups and learn from autistic adults. We are your best resource - and free. The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network has lots of resources, as well. The Explosive Child and Lost at School by Ross Greene cover behavior management.

[@aislingcavanaugh1902]

If it’s not harmful, just “weird” there is no reason to stop it. We don’t have to conform to expectations put on us by people so unlike us, who want to mold us into something we cannot be. It hurts when we pretend we aren’t who we are, as that goes against the truest facets of our selves. ABA as a system is “training” us to deny who we are and pretend to be “normal”. It traumatizes us, we are people not problems. If we are hitting people or being dangerous, then we need to learn emotional regulation and how to deal with out intense feelings. Anything that butchers out personality should be a no

[@sarachristine1035]

I would look for an ABA program that utilizes ESDM. ESDM is play based and I have never seen any interventions based on the behaviors mentioned in the video. A good ABA program should respect what you believe is important for your child.

[@IcanSeeMyselfOutThanks]

It is unethical for any BCBA to extinguish a behavior without reinforcing a better behavior so the individual can get what they want. If you're not using ABA, you're using coercion and punishment

[@IcanSeeMyselfOutThanks]

@@AN-jc4gm I have seen OT's force autistic kid's hands to use zippers and buttons against their will. The kid is screaming and crying, but the OT only stops when the task is complete. If the kid tries to get up, they force them to sit down. OT sounds like abuse and torture

[@andrewlutes2048]

Circular reasoning is a common attribute of neurotypicals.

[@MP-yo2fx]

🙏🏻

[@mollyurban5042]

ABAs terrify me. Especially because they feel like the toughest version of “building the child.”

[@johnbrumpton6182]

What a insightful person, the ABA should watch this and go away

[@jimmjimms]

17:30 please align that circle rug to the line on the floor. Thank you

[@yoyoda67]

That's OCD! 😆

[@karafriedman4382]

How. About the last to years for austic kids must have beeen hard

[@markbondurant6434]

What I can't understand is how these people stand having echoing bare walls. It has to sound awful all the time.

[@Bergstromoliver]

Just Be Aware.

[@momzillainnova]

Ive actual never heard of a good qualified ABA therapist suggesting any parent suppress all stimming behavior out of their child.

[@necelticsox]

Then the therapists you've encountered so far are not practicing ABA as it is officially defined by ABA International, which says that ABA is based on natural science, which is the study of outwardly behavior. If a practitioner understands the consequences of stim suppression and therefore doesn't suppress stims, which is a great thing, then that practitioner is rejecting natural science and therefore the ABA he/she practices is inauthentic to how ABA is officially defined. I understand that centers have to call their therapy ABA in order to obtain insurance money, but it often times doesn't mean they actually practice ABA as it is officially defined.

[@momzillainnova]

necelticsox I said ALL stims.

[@momzillainnova]

@@actually_autistic Whats your question?

[@benjaminschooley3108]

That's because this is person has no idea what they are talking about and clearly hasn't had much exposure to behaviorism.

[@avapilsen]

@@necelticsox That is not the definition of ABA.

[@EmberHarrington]

NOISE HURTS BAD PLEASE TURN HONK LOCK OFF 😢😢😢😢😢😢 HOW TO TURN HONK OFF: PRESS LOCK AND UNLOCK ON FOB AT THE SAME TIME FOR 2- 4 SECONDS HAZARDS FLASH MEANS HONK IS OFF (CONTACT DEALER IF ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED AS SOME CARS MIGHT BE SLIGHTLY DIFFFERENT)

[@billderksen8421]

There are proponents who always believe ABA therapy is to remove stimming behaviors and make a person with autism appear 'normal'. This is an outdated understanding of what ABA therapy is. Positive reinforcement methods have always been used for neurotypical children for millenia. Today's ABA methods focus on helping children develope tools to self regulate so they can cope with sensory overload. ABA should NOT prevent stimming behaviors but rather encourage a broad range of coping mechanisms. If you are engaged with an ABA therapist or Behavioral Consultant who is using token boards and positive reinforcement to remove spinning, hand flapping, vocal swimming etc, run for the hills! These outdated methods are based on a flawed understanding of autism.

[@necelticsox]

ABA is based on natural science, which is the study of outwardly behavior. If a practitioner understands the consequences of stim suppression and therefore doesn't suppress stims, which is a great thing, then that practitioner is rejecting natural science and therefore the ABA he/she practices is inauthentic to how ABA is officially defined. I understand that centers have to call their therapy ABA in order to obtain insurance money, but it often times doesn't mean they actually practice ABA as it is officially defined.

[@billderksen8421]

@@necelticsox If by definined meaning that no other interpretation is allowed to call it the same thing, then yes, I have no choice but to agree. Sort of like Champagne only comes from the region of france called Champagne and therefore anything that is not, must legally be called Brut. You can call it whatever you like. The methods of positive reinforcement used by most of the interventionists are the same as ABA in practice and actually minus the absence of removing stimming behavior. When we as parents are referring to ABA, this is what we are referencing as a whole.

[@necelticsox]

@@billderksen8421 Positive reinforcements or not, practitioners who practice ABA as it is officially defined still encourage stim suppression, and if they do not suppress stims, they are not practicing ABA as it is defined by ABA International since it says ABA must necessarily be based on natural science at the expense of social science.

[@benjaminschooley3108]

@@necelticsox That's just nonsense, you have no idea what you are talking about. Positive reinforcement can and is applied to prosocial behavior, without ever spending a second on "stims".

[@necelticsox]

@@benjaminschooley3108 Positive reinforcement involved finding out what your clients like and withholding those things from them until they perform a certain task, which isn't right in most situations.

[@amycohen3001]

who is them? who are they? meh

[@leeow3n]

Not all autistics hand flap

[@psychoinabalaclava4460]

Excuse me, please, I do not mean to interrupt - but where can I get rid of my eggy residue?

[@bk3720]

Good lecture, but she lost me at “scaffold skills”. It appears that she is trying to make a noun (scaffold) into a verb. I would consider this type of speak as an abuse to the English language, and it only will confuse the listener. English has proper known verbs for a reason.

[@MonacoBlast66]

Any idea how difficult this is to watch given the narrators display of emotion?

[@rotisseriepossum]

I’m curious, how so?