Autism a history

[VoidCat]

Title: Autism A History
Let's start with the 1930s
Hans Asperger discovered a disorder...
He was a Nazi Sympathizer
Deemed his patients undesirable,
Sent children to death camps.
Yet we name the disorder after him...

Around the same time, 1938,
Leo Kanner studied 11 patients.
Noticed similarities
Called it infantile autism...
Autistic was used back then
To describe schizophrenia...
As a result in 1952
The DSM II called it
Childhood schizophrenia.
Saw it as a detachment from reality.

On to the 1950s,
Autism was seen as a result
Of cold parenting.
Removal of kids from parents
Was common

Onto the 60s
Here we have a *******
By the name of Ole Ivar Lovaas.
This is the start of ABA
Which is still used today.
In a less but still abusive form.
The goal is to make the child
Conform.
Act neurotypical
He used negative and positive reinenforcments
Did not see his patients as people.
Why do we still follow some of his ideas?

In the 1990s
Holding therapy was popular.
Force the child to interact.
By holding them tightly in a way that forces
Them to make eye contact.
It is now considered abuse.

Now we are on to today.
Autism still seen as negative.
ABA therapy is used.
Maybe differently then in Lovaas' time.
But autistics still claim abuse.
A study showed an increase in PTSD...
Forcing one to act normal
Is not the way to go.



Study mentioned: Google Scholar

 

[sun rise]

I wonder what people on the spectrum think of Elon Musk's coming out of the "closet" about his own condition on SNL?

 

[VoidCat]

I wonder what people on the spectrum think of Elon Musk's coming out of the "closet" about his own condition on SNL?

I didn't know of it. Cool I guess

 

[sun rise]

Elon Musk reveals he has Asperger's on Saturday Night Live

 

[Father Heathen]

My 5 year old son has autism, and I wouldn't be surprised if I were on the spectrum myself.

 

[VoidCat]

My 5 year old son has autism, and I wouldn't be surprised if I were on the spectrum myself.

Dont go for ABA. It's basically like gay conversion therapy but autistic to acting neurotypical rather then gay to straight. Even shares the same founder

 

[VoidCat]

@Katzpur

Thought you might want to read this.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

It's a slow journey to build acceptance (even without understanding!)
In case you find it interesting;
Victoria Launches Australia’s First Autism Campaign | Premier of Victoria

 

[VoidCat]

It's a slow journey to build acceptance (even without understanding!)
In case you find it interesting;
Victoria Launches Australia’s First Autism Campaign | Premier of Victoria

Hope it goes well and autistics approve of it.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Hope it goes well and autistics approve of it.

Happily, the campaign was largely developed by Amaze (Amaze — Shaping the future for autism) rather than the government, and both autistics and those around them (which is mostly who it's aimed at) were involved in the development of the campaign.

Not to say that it's perfect, but I'm happy that they've started with a small and achievable goal. Making those in the community aware of how small actions can impact on the day of an autistic person.

 

[VoidCat]

@Guitar's Cry

Thought i tag you after our convo in the PMs

I also found out some stuff about Kanner had I wrote this today it would be differently.

 

[VoidCat]

I'd change this stanza:
Around the same time, 1938,
Leo Kanner studied 11 patients.
Noticed similarities
Called it infantile autism...
Autistic was used back then
To describe schizophrenia...
As a result in 1952
The DSM II called it
Childhood schizophrenia.
Saw it as a detachment from reality.

To
Around the same time, 1938,
Leo Kanner studied 11 patients.
Noticed similarities
Called it infantile autism...
Autistic was used back then
To describe schizophrenia...
As a result in 1952
The DSM II called it
Childhood schizophrenia.
Saw it as a detachment from reality.
Kanner published a paper for support of eugenics
When at the time it was legal
To sterilize the intellectually disabled