✨Reframing Autistic Stereotypes✨
Do y'all prefer the informational stuff or the personal? Maybe a blend? Either way, please lmk.
Todae we're pulling out old graphics from my deleted Instagram (I'm off all Meta & Musk apps). Swipe through the graphics to find which stereotype fits you for personalized reframing or read each one to help heal some internalized ableism.
Important things to know:
♾️ = Autism symbol
🌻= Invisible disabilities (this includes autism, but encompasses much more)
🧩 = Hate group symbol (it's the autism speaks logo - they disguise themselves as a charity, but they seek to cure autism not ableism by using unethical methods such as ABA - there are many autistic creators who have spoken up/out about this hate organization)
If you're unfamiliar w/ ABA "therapy" it was created by someone w/n the founding circle of gay conversion "therapy".
ABA is abusive & unethical because it aims to “extinguish” autistic traits & “normalize” children, otherizes benign behavior, lacks evidence of effectiveness, works against the development of key life skills & independence, & leads to serious, trauma-based mental health phenomena, & increased suicidality.
It blows my mind that I've told many "autism moms" & "autism dads" (referring to the parents who make their child's autism their entire personality, much like "boy moms") - blows my mind that they don't even actually listen or if they do they ignore "increased suicidality" & continue to put their child through ABA.
I had a dad recently on TikTok that said "it helps my daughter" & "she likes it". Be so for real. It doesn't help your kid, it helps you by training them to be "normal" & suppress their true selves. Your kid doesn't like going through a conversion "therapy", they like the attention you give them for doing it. Kids want their parents approval & will harm themselves to get it.
⚠️ [TW, personal example w/ SH]
My mother once told me (about my father's alcoholism) "if you stop feeling [emotionally] it won't bother you". I couldn't count the number of times I'd bawled over the same thing & though what was probably burned out desperation from my mother, I took it as disappointment. I went numb not long after that which led me down a darker path of self harm.
I don't know how people can understand that gay conversion therapy is bad but not get that ABA therapy is the exact same thing..
#lemon8diarychallenge #abatherapy #autisticstereotypes #actuallyautistic #autisticadult
Autistic individuals often face stereotypes that misrepresent their experiences. In recent discussions, the importance of reframing these narratives has become vital. Many autistic people have internalized harmful stereotypes, leading to self-doubt and shame. By recognizing and challenging stereotypes, we can empower ourselves and those around us. Through graphical representations that highlight reframed stereotypes, individuals can identify their strengths and reclaim their narrative. For instance, traits typically seen as negative—such as being 'awkward' or 'sensitive'—can be reframed as signs of authenticity and emotional attunement. This is crucial as it encourages self-acceptance and promotes mental well-being, countering the stigma that autistic individuals often face. Additionally, the conversation around ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy has sparked significant debate within the autistic community. Critics emphasize how ABA's goal of 'normalizing' behaviors often leads to a suppression of an individual's true self, raising concerns about its long-term psychological impacts. It’s essential to recognize that acceptance and understanding of one’s authentic traits can lead to healthier outcomes than attempts to conform to neurotypical standards. Supporting autistic individuals means fostering conversations about identity and self-worth, encouraging diverse expressions of being. By engaging in these discussions, communities can help dismantle harmful beliefs, promoting a more inclusive atmosphere where every individual feels valued and understood. Embracing autism as part of human diversity rather than a deficiency is key to building societal acceptance.
Well since noone else answered… i prefer a blend 🎀 Thank you for explaining what ABA was. I was aware of it but I didn't know what it was called. Sadly, it makes me thankful for my later-in-life-diagnosis because my parents definitely would have done that shit to me. And since you brought it up, I just gotta say that I'm a mom of 3. All sons, no daughters. Not once in all my children's almost 23 years have I ever even had the slightest urge to refer to myself as a “Boy Mom”.😂