The Audacious Aspie Seeks Therapy

Welcome back the the Audacious Aspie! Today we will go looking for alternatives to ABA, ways to help kids on the spectrum the skills they will need to survive and thrive in the world without going through the horrors of the 70’s (and if you remember the examples given in the last post, or one of those who unfortunately lived through the 70’s) than you know just how horrific it was (both ABA and the 70’s). So let's get started.

 

First off, is the Son-Rise program by the Autism Treatment Centre of America, who promotes itself as an alternative to ABA (listing comparisons on their Understanding Autism page. Least that’s what I think it is, they don’t say). What examples do they give? For example: We all know that ABA tries to change the behaviour of autistic children, like preventing them from stimming and instructing them to act normal. Son-Rise (sexist I know, but they have pictures of them working with young girls) focuses on the social interactivity aspect of autism, seeing it as a “social interactivity disorder” (example one), where they encourage the child to be flexible and spontanous enabling him/her (their words, see? Not that sexist) to handle and enjoy human interaction.

 

Dear lord, HUMAN interaction? Not ANIMAL interaction? That means, that means that they will learn about...romance, and genders, like...her. Oh God, what have we wrought?  

 

Another example is the “Area of Focus” (their words), stating that while ABA focuses on changing the child's behaviour (as previously stated), the Son-Rise program, focusing on creating a relationship with the child by participating in the child's repetitive behaviour. And finally, while ABA uses repetitive methods of learning: using trials or trial-like methods, to have the child repeat a behaviour again and again, not necessarily with rhyme or reason, until mastery has been achieved. Son-Rise, on the other hand, states that is uses motivation: using child's own interests with every game and activity to fun and exciting, have the child go back for more, and “relates naturally rather than robotically” (their words). Something my parents have done with me.

 

What are the principles of Son-Rise? The child’s potential is limitless: there is no such thing as a false hope, no one can tell what the child can, and especially cannot, do. Autism is not a behavioral disorder: rather, as it previously stated, it is a relational/interactional disorder (they don't know themselves, so they chose both). The child has trouble relating to others, connecting to others, the name speaks for itself. There is more, you can read them all here: http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/contents/about_son-rise/index.php.

 

Well, this has been a much more upbeat post than the last one. And sure this is a source in America, but perhaps you could find, or create, such an organization right at home (blaze that trail, mighty traveller, watch out for snakes). Next post, we will be looking at something a little more, Canadian, on the subject. Something closer to home, will, my home anyways. It’ll definitely be in the Western hemisphere. Until next time, this continues to be the Audacious Aspie!               

 

Happy smiles, smiles for everyone. Why aren't you smiling? Is it how I look, with my soulless eyes, and creepy smile? YOU BETTER BE SMILING

 

P.S: I have a twitter account now! Yep, I’m such a centennial. I mean Millennial, and won't belong now before I get other social media accounts. Let the juggling begin. If you’re interested, follow me at @AudaciousAspie, as will as follow Paracor Canada, the site that concerns itself with all things disabled (like a cool map, check it out) as @ParacorCanada. Together, we can spread the audacious disease, no where is safe.