Autism Archives - Partners Behavioral Health

ABA, autism, and being “indistinguishable from one’s peers”?

Partners Admin — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 09:16:56 +0000

I recently posted on Linkedin asking about common misconceptions in ABA. I’ll follow up over the course of a few posts tackling a few of them individually. I’ll highlight that there are some entirely valid concerns, particularly historically. This question specifically sought to identify what people see as common falsehoods or misconceptions. It can be, and is true that both exist – valid concerns, and the spread of misinformation. I think it’s important we tackle both, and that we do so within context.

So, here are my thoughts… Topic 1:

Do ABA professionals aim to make autistic people they serve “indistinguishable from their peers”?

I believe it is accurate to say that this language was once used as standard practice, and that this was once a goal. However, to say this was specific to ABA, or that it is standard practice today, is inaccurate.

As I reflect back on IEP meetings years ago, this was the nature of the conversation among the group of different professionals, not just behavior analysts.

Looking into research, I found this language tracing back to other disciplines such as psychologists and speech language pathologists. Would be great to see a thoughtful analysis on this.

From my recollection and perspective, it seems the values and perspectives related to the concept of normalization mirrored those of society more broadly. I’d love to see a more formal analysis related to this as well.

In ABA, and it seems other disciplines and society more broadly as well, focus as it relates to autism and neurodiversity has shifted to help the people we serve have the tools to access the things and experiences they want, and to live happy, healthy, and safe lives. Focus in general has also been on encouraging acceptance of people’s differences. It’s important we continue to teach skills within a context that respects, and a way that balances individuality, opportunity, and safety.

In sum, it seems to me this ideology was present in ABA as it was in other disciplines and society at large, that this has shifted over time, and representing this as specific to ABA or even a current practice is inaccurate and misleading.

Regardless of what others do, I hope we always aim to do better. With that in mind, and despite efforts that already exist toward this end, I’d like to see greater focus being placed on the therapeutic and learning experience, not in place of, but in addition to focus on outcomes.

What do you think?

Brandon Herscovitch, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D

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Autistic masking

Partners Admin — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 08:08:12 +0000

Autistic masking is when autistic people actively hide their autistic traits to fit in with their non autistic counterparts, and is more commonly reported among Level 1 autistic people, or people sometimes referred to, at least as was the case in the past, as “high functioning autistic”.

The implications of masking are not inconsequential, and adversely impact mental health, having been tied to things like anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

It’s imperative we have a long game to foster a culture that values, not just tolerates, individuality, empowers personal growth, and ensures equitable opportunities.

But until that happens, I think we have other important questions to ask.

I’m curious to learn what others, and particularly autistic people who do experience this, feel about where the line is between masking autistic traits and acquiring skills to navigate their social environment in a way that will increase their likelihood of accessing their desired outcomes, personally or professionally.

How do we best empower individuals in being self reflective and autonomous in identifying and balancing the implications of doing one over the other?

Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments if you’d like.

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Shifting values in autism awareness and acceptance

Partners Admin — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 10:53:33 +0000

Shifting values in autism awareness and acceptance
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Evolutionary ethics is when the collective values of a profession shift over time. It’s discussed in medical literature and is not specific to ABA or autism.

It’s somewhat akin to evolution of societal and generational standards of different types like parenting, gender roles, and so on.

In terms of autism and the concept of normalization or being indistinguishable from one’s peers, I was practicing back in 2000, and yes, that was a goal among virtually all stakeholders in the autism community.

The collective values in the autism community and society in general have been shifting and that’s great!!!

This could be happening for various different reasons, but either way people are listening and people are learning.

I think it’ll be important that in this process, we as a community continue to pursue acceptance and celebration of uniqueness and individuality, in a way that doesn’t overlook or diminish the experience of those whose safety, health, or quality of life may be adversely impacted by certain aspects of their autism experience.

So perhaps there is value in distinguishing between, but also retaining, the concepts of awareness and acceptance in autism advocacy.
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Let me know what you think in the comments.

Brandon Herscovitch, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D

Partners Behavioral Health can help with your clinical and business standards, compliance, and outcomes. We can help you scale an ethical ABA practice you’re proud about.

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Movies and television are a surprisingly effective intersection for entertainment and education making them a great medium for people to learn about the realities of autism

Partners Admin — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 09:40:20 +0000

Movies and television are a surprisingly effective intersection for entertainment and education making them a great medium for people to learn about the realities of autism.

It’s called the autism “spectrum” because it’s precisely that – with it, comes a wide range of effects, experiences, and needs.

Movies like Rainman and shows like Love on The Spectrum have provided engaging content for people to learn about some types of autism experiences. Creating content about the vastly different autism experiences of some people and families would help educate the public about how different it can manifest.

Movies and shows like those listed above are a great start, but many people live with other very different autism experiences that aren’t represented in the media.

Profound autism for example refers to autistic individuals with an IQ of less than 50, and some other characteristics like very limited – if any – functional communication, no independent activities of daily living, potentially other medical issues, self injury, round the clock support, and safety issues.

I’ll add that this should most definitely not be viewed as a competition. There are a broad ranges of autism experiences and support needs. The broader and more well rounded understanding people have of these differences, the better.

I believe as a community our focus should be on inclusive awareness, acceptance, and advocacy, while still providing education on the distinct characteristics and needs within segments of the broader population.

Now is the time to expand people’s knowledge base about autism. I really think it’ll take someone in the television or movie industry with a vested interest to make this happen on a larger scale.

For those interested in learning more or supporting these people and their families check out Profound Autism Alliance and National Council on Severe Autism.

Brandon Herscovitch, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D

Partners Behavioral Health can help with your clinical and business standards, compliance, and outcomes. We can help you scale an ethical ABA practice you’re proud about.

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Top 3 must-attend events for autism therapy provider business owners, operators, stakeholders

Partners Admin — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 23:47:32 +0000

Top 3 must-attend events for autism therapy provider business owners, operators, stakeholders

📅 Three annual events offering the most cutting edge information and unique networking opportunities for leaders and stakeholders in the field.

(In order of occurrence)

⭐ Autism Investor Summit “provides a unique opportunity for autism service providers, investors and key stakeholders [like advocates, legislators, payers, consumers, and researchers] to… discuss the autism services landscape, opportunities for investment and … best practices and innovation in all areas of autism services.”

⭐ The Council of Autism Service Providers Annual Conference “focuses on the efficient administration and operation of autism service provider organizations while maintaining clinical excellence. [It] provides extraordinary educational opportunities and time… to network with like-minded leadership teams from across the country who may be facing similar challenges.”

⭐ Autism Law Summit “is an annual gathering of parent advocates, autism service providers, lawyers, individuals with autism, lobbyists, and legislators from across the United States who are interested in the politics and policy of autism spectrum disorders.”

❔❓ What are your thoughts on these or other events for people looking to build ethical and sustainable autism therapy practices and shape the autism service delivery landscape?

Brandon Herscovitch, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D

Partners Behavioral Health can help with your clinical and business standards, compliance, and outcomes. We can help you scale an ethical ABA practice you’re proud about.

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⚖ Autism as a superpower, difference, or disability: The “words matter” argument goes in both directions, and requires a thoughtful and balanced application

Partners Admin — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 23:37:09 +0000

⚖ Autism as a superpower, difference, or disability: The “words matter” argument goes in both directions, and requires a thoughtful and balanced application.

👓 For different people, and even at different points in their own lives, autism may be viewed as a superpower, a difference, or a disability.

People who have been diagnosed with Autism, had previously been diagnosed with Asperger’s, or assumed to have been undiagnosed Autistic, have accomplished some great things. Anita Cameron, Dan Ackroyd (a fellow Canadian, and sadly no, we don’t all know each other), Temple Grandin, Tom Wiggins, and Elon Musk, are just some of the names that come to mind.

There are so many more autistic people, lesser known as they may be, who through their differences or special interests, have done great things. These people and their stories are exciting and inspiring, but are not fully representative of all autism experiences.

There are many people for whom aspects of their autism substantially limits one or more major life activities.

📰 A 2017 AJPH article states “Individuals with autism appear to be at substantially heightened risk for death from injury.”

📰 A 2021 JAMA article states “Several recent population-based mortality studies have demonstrated extraordinarily high rates of death by suicide in autistic youth and adults.”

“To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability… An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a[n] impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities…” (ADA).

While terms like “disability” may be inappropriate or undesirable for some people in the autism or autistic communities, it may be entirely appropriate and even important for others.

🗝 It’s important we are careful and thoughtful in the language we collectively incentivize or de-incentivize. In our cultural, healthcare, and educational systems, certain language may function as a mechanism to help access important resources, and provide validation for those who identify with those terms.

Different people. Different experiences. Different language.

This is a tricky topic. It’s important to approach this issue in a well rounded and inclusive way. I urge people, particularly those with wide reaching social media platforms, to be cognizant about the varied experiences, perspectives, and support needs among the broader autism community in advocating on this important issue.

Brandon Herscovitch, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D

Partners Behavioral Health can help with your clinical and business standards, compliance, and outcomes. We can help you scale an ethical ABA practice you’re proud about.

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On the relationship between applied behavior analysis and autism

Partners Admin — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 23:03:42 +0000

On the relationship between applied behavior analysis and autism

Behavior analysis, as a science, offers a framework for understanding people with autism and how to support them in a way that creates meaningful change. Sciences do not have an opinion or an agenda and aren’t inherently “good” or “bad.” Instead, they only exist to inform and impact change.

Consumer analysis in ABA helps us better understand the therapeutic experience of those receiving scientific service delivery.

The combination and intersection of these two distinct but interrelated concepts is where we see some of the most exciting and meaningful advances in patient care.

Though critical to advancement, scientific research and practice of any type are not exempt from the plague of human biases, and we should absorb it with this in mind. Sadly, many people offer opinions based on inaccurate, outdated information that presents only a segment of the views and facts that, in isolation, are misrepresentative, harmful to others, and minimize others’ positive experiences and needs.

The ABA industry exists to help those individuals interested in obtaining our science as a service to live their best lives. It is our responsibility to continue to learn and always improve moving forward. I know many clinicians and clinic operators making it their foremost priority to improve patient-centered, evidence-based care.

I believe in scientific service delivery informed by patient/consumer experiences, and I’ll continue to advocate for that, with a willingness and desire to refine my position based on a balanced assessment of any and all emerging evidence – experimental and experiential.

Brandon Herscovitch, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D

Partners Behavioral Health can help with your clinical and business standards, compliance, and outcomes. We can help you scale an ethical ABA practice you’re proud about.

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Inclusive autism advocacy

Partners Admin — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 15:57:31 +0000

Inclusive autism advocacy: Autism advocacy doesn’t need to be a zero sum game

Now more than ever, there are many people with different experiences and support needs impacted in some way by autism.

I’ve been involved in the autism community in various ways and for some time now. During that time I’ve come to know lots of people personally and professionally, and those people have very distinct autism experiences and support needs.

Here are 5 considerations that I try to keep in mind when involved in any sort of autism advocacy:

Autism impacts people differently.
Each person is entitled to validation of their own experience and support needs.
Different language or images may better reflect different autism experiences.
It’s important to advocate for one person’s experience in a way that doesn’t diminish another’s.
It’s important to expand my social circle and learn about different stories and experiences from different stakeholders in the autism community.

Just remember Autism advocacy doesn’t need to be a zero sum game. There’s room for everyone to win.

Brandon Herscovitch, Ph.D., LABA, BCBA-D

Partners Behavioral Health can help with your clinical and business standards, compliance, and outcomes. We can help you scale an ethical ABA practice you’re proud about.

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