I’ve been reading a lot about therapies and autism. I know there is strong indication that ABA, in the extremes, could be regarded as emotional mistreatment for autistic people.
I have been trying to find information about CBT applied to autistic children and adolescents, and have mostly come across neutral or positive articles and opinions. Granted, most of those are in publications that share similar views of ABA.
Is there a general consensus or impression on the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the treatment of social issues (addiction, social isolation, …) on autistic children and adolescents?
I would appreciate any insight and/or links to articles, opinions, studies, etc.
Thanks!
ABA at all, in any shape or form, is harmful. Its taking a person and saying, “The way you talk or act isn’t okay. We’re going to change you so that you talk and act like a different people group, and we’re going to ensure that pretty much your entire life is dedicated to this goal until we’ve achieved it.”
If someone chooses to get CBT, then there’s implicit consent. It’s pretty hard to do CBT without consent. ABA, on the other hand, is usually done to people who do not consent, which is abuse. The only reason it’s not seen as abusive is because Western society is so ableist that they consider anything that “changes” an autistic person to be more neuroconforming is acceptable, no matter how it’s achieved.