Hello Listeners!

Please see below for a written transcript of this first W.o.W. Episode!

The purposes of these W.o.W. (i.e., “Words of Wisdom”) Episodes include, but are not limited to, the following:

1) Provide words of encouragement and affirmation for parents, caregivers, educators, BCBA/LBAs, Behavior Technicians, and other people involved with the care of a person who receives ABA services. Examples [of potential service recipients may] include, but are not limited to, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (“ASD”), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”), and anyone else for whom ABA services are deemed appropriate and medically necessary;

2) Offer a different perspective to clarify something about ABA, ASD, etc. which may be confusing to some people,

W.o.W. Episode #1: “Today’s ABA”

"...Today’s ABA”] is one in which the starting point is a happy, relaxed, and engaged autistic person. The themes of I see you, I hear you, I understand you, and I am here for you persist throughout the entire process. It bears repeating that there is no obligation to teach while children are upset in any way or under any duress. Hasty efforts at promoting compliance or assessing the developmental status of an autistic person are not championed in this process. That which is championed is establishing trust, engagement, authenticity, and agency. Cooperation in shared experiences follows. Acknowledged in this process is that skills will be learned both during therapist-, teacher-, and parent-led times as well as during times in which the autistic person is leading. Also recognized is the understanding that developmental assessment is best undertaken once trust and persistence in difficult tasks has been established."

Source Material from which above excerpt is adapted:

https://practicalfunctionalassessment.com/2021/09/09/a-perspective-on-todays-aba-by-dr-greg-hanley/