ABA & Parent Shaming (Autistic Advocate Speaks Out)

Russell Lehmann is a motivational speaker and poet with a platform for autism and mental health. He also supports parents with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Russell believes in working together and finding supportive strategies for parents and their children.
Why is there such a divide in the autism community?
Is all ABA therapy abusive?
Do you have to say "autistic person" or is "person with autism" fine? What about neurodiversity and neurodiverse? All the terms and the arguments surrounding these topics are becoming more and more troublesome for parents with newly diagnosed children to navigate through to find support.

This week's topic is a controversial one: ABA and Parent Shaming. All we ask is to please keep comments and feedback respectful. We are all here to share our care and love with and together with the autism population (or neurodivese population...).

Get in touch with Russell here:
#interview

Timestamps:
0:00 An autistic poet
4:53 Post (autism) diagnosis
6:05 Mom-son relationship (autism)
7:40 Importance of a mentor (ASD)
9:27 Division in Autism
9:58 Anti-ABA movement
12:14 From an (ex) ABA therapist
24:11 Dark side of autism
28:21 Comorbid diagnoses (autism & ...)
36:46 Learning from each other (autism)
38:44 Parents of special needs children
44:11 Autism, autistic or neurodivergent?!

[Vaporeon]

From the perspective of a parent & healthcare professional, this was a refreshing conversation and verbalized so many things I’ve been thinking about but haven’t known the proper forum to address. Thank you!

[sleepconsulting]

This is a fantastic interview! Thank you to Russell and Karla for shedding light on such important topics.