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

Aug 5, 2024

Dr. Robin Roscigno, a recent Ph.D. graduate focusing on disability studies and DEI, dives into the complexities of ABA therapy and its controversies. She shares her personal experiences navigating autism therapies as both a sibling and a parent. The discussion critiques outdated approaches that prioritize conformity over authenticity, emphasizing the need for compassionate, individualized treatment. Dr. Roscigno advocates for a balance between behavioral interventions and respecting neurodiverse identities, urging parents to prioritize their children's emotional needs in therapy choices.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Navigating Autism Therapies: A Personal Journey

02:02 • 22min

Exploring the Controversy of ABA Therapy

23:43 • 5min

Navigating Autism and ABA: Balancing Intervention and Individual Needs

28:34 • 35min

Navigating Behavior Management in Children

01:03:12 • 9min

Skincare Solutions and Navigating Child Therapies

01:11:45 • 5min

Navigating Autism Therapy: Finding Balance

01:17:08 • 12min

Resources and Support for Parents of Autistic Children

01:28:39 • 3min

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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