104: The Controversy of ABA: A Discussion with Researcher Dr. Robin Roscigno

Struggle Care

Our deep dive into ABA and autism continues in this episode. Today’s guest recently finished her Ph.D. in Education, focusing on disability studies and related research in the world of DEI. Dr. Robin Roscigno helps educate parents about neurodiversity to create a more inclusive world for neurodiverse individuals. She posts frequently on social media platforms about autism and autism therapies. Her studies and life experiences give her both a professional and personal relationship to this topic because of her brother’s childhood diagnosis of autism. Robin was also diagnosed with autism along with her young daughter and began navigating the therapy world as a parent who struggled to find therapies that are affirming. After leaving teaching to pursue her Ph.D., she now focuses on autism intervention and challenging the dominant paradigms.

Show Highlights:

• Understanding what ABA therapy is and why there is such controversy around this topic
• The dilemma for parents in the “explosive landscape” of ABA
• Understanding behaviorism as a therapeutic approach
• The old-school ABA therapy and its focus on eye contact
• How current autism therapies are designed to make people appear “less autistic” and “fit in more” in the world
• The need for wisdom and a harm-reduction approach in therapies
• Choosing a school program for your child based on goals and techniques and not a binary (ABA:good or ABA: bad) approach
• The foundation of neurotypical norms (like eye contact) in connection, relationships, and social referencing—-which we ALL need
• Teaching social referencing in affirming ways that help develop skills
• Looking for red/green flags in assessing specific goals and techniques from an advocacy perspective
• Unrealistic expectations of autistic kids and their parents

Resources and Links:

Connect with Dr. Robin Roscigno: Website, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TEDx Talk: “Your Autistic Child Can Have a Great Life. Here’s How”

Connect with KC: Website, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook

Get KC’s book, How to House While Drowning

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