Autism Interview #193 Part 2: Ettina Kitten on Approaches to Autism Therapy Continued

This is Part 2 of a two-part interview with Ettina Kitten. Ettina Kitten is a legal assistant, blogger, and mother-to-be from Canada. Ettina blogs at Abnormaldiversity on a variety of topics related to autism. Last week, Ettina shared her unique perspective as both a receiver and provider of autism therapy. This week she shared suggestions for how to find a therapist with an autism positive approach to therapy and challenges people to question their determination of “essential” life skills.

Autism Interview #102: Marie Porter on Leading a Better Advocacy Movement

Marie Porter is a professional spandex costumer and cookbook author from Canada. She is an award-winning cake artist, and her cakes even landed her international magazine coverage, including “Every Day with Rachel Ray.” She blogs about new recipes, celebrations, crafts, and occasionally, autism. This week she shared her experiences growing up undiagnosed and ideas for how parents can better support autistics in leading a more positive advocacy movement.

Autism Interview #39: Alix Generous on Autism Technology

Alix Generous

Alix Generous is a professional speaker, neuroscientist, author, tech consultant, and observational comedian. From 2013 to September 2016, she was the co-founder for Podium (formerly AutismSees), a social impact company that creates technology to help high functioning autistic millennials improve their presentation skills. In her 2015 TED talk, she comedically shares how tech improved her public speaking skills. This week she shared some of her personal experiences growing up on the autism spectrum and the current state of autism-related technology.

Full-Time ABA for Toddlers? Really?

ABA for toddlers

A friend of mine recently took her autistic 7th grader to a doctor appointment. During the appointment, the developmental pediatrician told her that after observing the behavior of her other 15-month-old son whom she had also brought along, this child was also on the spectrum. The doctor went on to recommend enrollment in a full-time ABA therapy program now if she didn’t want her baby to “end up like” her older son. My friend was shocked by this news and left wondering how best to proceed. The doctor’s aggressive unofficial diagnosis and recommendations left her worried that if she didn’t follow the orders, she would be failing as a parent.

Natural Environment Training (NET): An ABA Compromise for Parents?

natural environment training and autism abaApplied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a popular therapy for children and young adults on the autism spectrum. Despite the scientific data supporting the effectiveness of ABA, this therapy has been scrutinized by the autistic community for its widespread unethical administration. The ABA debate can be confusing to parents who are trying to find the best resources and supports for their autistic children. For parents skeptical of ABA therapy, the natural environment training (or teaching) (NET) branch may offer a compromise.