I was diagnosed autistic in recent months.

But I know I shouldn't take ABA therapy.

What should I take instead? Even the psychiatrist seems to think I should take it.

  • LeylaLove [she/her, love/loves]
    ·
    1 year ago

    It depends on what it's for. Personally, I am the parent of a non-verbal 7 year old. ABA therapy is (imo) good for life ruining shit. For example, my child likes to elope and will randomly SPRINT into roads. Or will fight us on changing his diaper. This isn't just something I find annoying or a quirk of him being autistic, these are things that cause actual issues for him. Him getting hit by a car would ruin his life. Us not being able to fully clean him made his diaper rashes start bleeding unless we either did ABA or had 3 people to hold him down every time for a diaper change (he's 90 pounds already :/). However, ABA is typically used to force autistic people to mask so I certainly wouldn't make it a first try.

    First, ask how much your autism is affecting you and in which ways it does. If your executive function is so fucked you haven't showered in months, maybe ABA is a good fit for you. But if you're just socially awkward and like things considered childish, ABA will do nothing but make you feel like shit