Autism and ABA Abuse of Autistic Children - A Case Study, Part 4

Conor did not receive intensive early ABA intervention for 40 hours a week from ages 2-5 as per the ideal standard but he has received ABA intervention for several years including in a school setting. It has made a positive difference as he has acquired substantial communication skills that did not exist at the beginning and he has functioned well in a variety of environments. Self injurious behaviors, and aggressive behavior toward others, have been reduced very substantially.

A number of gains have been made, and Conor has learned much, but at what horrible cost to Conor's innate being ... his true "autie" self ? Has he been turned into a cold hearted, robotic personality responding to commands but offering nothing genuine of himself to the world? In the pictures below Dad has just returned home from an out of town court proceeding looking weary, disheveled, in need of a haircut (and more exercise) and Conor sees an opportunity for some fun with Dad. Are these pictures more evidence of an ABA induced robotic personality?

autism

Competency Hearing Ordered For Autistic Man Charged In Mother's Death

Cleveland.com reports that a competency hearing has been ordered for Sky Walker the 20 year old autistic man, currently charged with attempted murder in the beating death of his mother, Kent State University professor Gertrude "Trudy" Steuernagel.

Additional charges are currently being considered. Gertrude Steuernagel died since the beating. Presumably a murder charge could be substituted for the attempted murder charge.

autism

Are ALL Autistic Children Relaxed In The Water?

The story of Christopher Marino and his dad, Walter Marino, surviving for long hours after being swept away from New Smyrna Beach. Florida in an outgoing tide is one that should lift anyone's spirits. While Chris and his dad were in proximity Walter Marino kept his composure, and his son's, by playing a game with him. He would say "To Infinity" and Chris would answer "And Beyond". Separated by the tide, Chris was not found for two hours after his dad was rescued but still remained calm treading water until he too was found. We are all lucky there are people in this world like the fisherman who found Walter Marino and the Coast Guard that rescured Chris. And it is great to see that, back home, Chris has jumped right back in the pool.

The story struck some personal notes with our family. We love to swim and are blessed with natural swimming locations and an excellent community swimming pool in close proximity. Conor loves the water and has always, and still, loves Toy Story. When he was younger, and smaller, he would stand on my knee in the water and I would shout "To Infinity" and pause before saying "And Beyond" before tossing Conor in the water. He would come up with a huge grin on his face and ask to repeat the fun over and over again. He has shot up "like a weed" over the last year though and we can no longer play that game so frequently.

I would not be surprised if it is true that many autistic children love the water but I have to question a bit some of the comments, highlighted in bold, of one of the experts quoted in the article on news-journalonline.com:

And drowning is a leading cause of death for autistic children, said Orlando-based psychologist Terri Daly, who has worked with Christopher and his family.

Yet his inability to understand the gravity of the situation -- and the dangers that lurk beneath the ocean's surface -- might have kept Christopher from desperately fighting the current and sapping his strength.

"It . . . speaks to the observation that children with autism are very much at peace -- very relaxed -- in the water," said Michael Alessandri, a Coral Gables-based clinical professor of psychology and autism expert. "The situation was likely not exacerbated because the child did not panic -- did not realize (the) danger he may have been in -- and stayed calm."

Chris Marino was obviously relaxed and stayed calm. But is that just because he is autistic or because of previous exposure to water? Our son, Conor, is very relaxed in the water. He is autistic but he has had been exposed to the water on a regular basis for many years. Is it correct to generalize as Professor Alessandri did that autistic children are "very much at peace .. very relaxed .. in the water"? Would the same hold true for autistic children who have not been been exposed to the water and opportunities to learn to swim during their early years?

The Chris Marino story is one that cheers us all. But parents and caregivers might not want to simply assume that all autistic children are at ease in the water particularly if drowning is a leading cause of death amongst autistic children as stated by Psychologist Terry Daly.

autism

Joey's School Bus Finally Arrives

The Hamilton Spectator reports that Joey Van Dyk's school bus has finally arrived. Joey is the 13 year old autistic boy whose bus did not show up for the first five days of school upsetting Joey and forcing his dad to leave work to drive him to school. Joey's mom, quite understandably, is ecstatic and Joey had a great day.

As the father of an autistic boy it gives me a happy buzz when I read of things working out well for autistic children and adults.

autism

Autism Book Breaks Neurodiversity Taboos

Dianne Dempsey of The Age has reviewed Dear Gabriel: Letter to An Autistic Son a book by Norwegian Publisher Halfdan W Freihow which is sure to receive angry reviews from members of the Neurodiversity club. The book is written as a letter to Freihow's autistic son and it breaks two of Neurodiversity's most sacrosanct taboos.

In the first instance, Freihow as the father of an autistic son and as a parent can not actually know anything about autism. Bettelheim's heirs in the Neurodiversity/"Autism" Rights movement do not believe that a parent should express independent opinions about their own child's autism.

Secondly, the book breaks Neurodiversity's ultimate commandment "thou shalt say nothing negative about autism":

His son, while blighted, is beautiful, his wife a saint but Freihow says there are terrible days when Gabriel cries and rages until they are all overwhelmed by exhaustion and despair and the whole house explodes. Freihow says that the only reason he and his wife are still together is because they spend so much time apart. It is not only Freihow's finely tuned sensibilities but the brutal honesty with which he writes that gives his book its strength and credibility.

If the book review is accurate then Freihow is following a path walked by the parents of the Autism Everyday Video, a path which saw those parents demonized by the "Autism Rights"/Neurodiversity ideologues for speaking honestly about their children, their autism disorders and autism's impact on a family.

I look forward to reading Dear Gabriel: Letter to An Autistic Son.

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Desperate Search Continues For Missing Autistic Man Keith Kennedy

Keith Kennedy, a 25 year old autistic man from Minnesota, has now been missing a week from Trade Lake Camp, a camp for developmentally disabled adults in Wisconsin. The search area has been expanded. With the passage of a week, and Mr. Kennedy's need for medication for his kidney, WCCO Minnesapolis reports that the search has become desperate and that his family is praying for a miracle. "It's especially challenging since Keith can be scared off by loud sounds and probably will not respond to his name."

autism

Autism and Wandering, Missing Autistic Girl Found Safe

It is sometimes difficult to listen to, or read, statements by a few celebrity, high functioning autistic persons, and others who embrace their ideology, who claim that autism is just another natural variation of the human condition, a difference to be embraced, a joy in itself. I have never pretended to accept this view. At least not for those, like my son, for whom autism presents serious life restrictions and risks. One of those dangerous, even life threatening risks, is the tendency of some autistics to wander off, to get lost ... or worse. In some cases things end well ..... in others they do not. This story has a good ending:

Missing Autistic Girl, 13, Found Safe, ... Janelle Halbrook had last been seen near Lake Center Middle School at Clarkman Street and Pioneer Boulevard around 4 p.m. Wednesday, Whittier police Officer Jason Zuhlke said. ... The mother told police that Halbrook has a tendency to wander whenever her routine is interrupted, as she did in a similar "walk-away" incident several months ago.

autism

New Brunswick Public Safety Minister John Foran Decrees Taser Use To Continue

I was disappointed to see the comments from Public Safety Minister John Foran as reported on the CBC New Brunswick web site article N.B. won't ban Tasers, but considers new guidelines. In that interview Minister Foran was reported as indicating, without any explanation, that "New Brunswick Public Safety Minister John Foran says he is not prepared to ban the use of Tasers by the province's police. Foran said his department is looking at developing new guidelines for Taser use, but he sees no need for an immediate ban."

On December 24 2006 I sent an email request to Minister Foran, Premier Graham, Health Minister Murphy and Justice Minister and Solicitor General TJ Burke requesting that the New Brunswick government "prohibit the police use of TASERS or at least suspend such use until your government has studied their safety and you personally feel comfortable with their use on New Brunswickers." My concern, beyond that of any citizen's concern, arises from the fact that I am the father of a profoundly autistic boy with limited communication ability and autistic persons and persons with developmental disabilities have been Tasered on occasion in North America because they lack communication skills and police will often use Tasers in situations where the person with whom they are speaking "fail to comply" with their communications, that is with police orders or directions. In the recent Vancouver tragedy the gentleman was unable to communicate because he did not understand English.

My letter from last Christmas Eve stated:

December 24, 2006

Hon. Shawn Graham, Premier
Hon. TJ Burke, Minister of Justice and Attorney General
Hon. John Foran, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Hon. Michael Murhphy, Minister of Health

Dear Honourable Premier and Honourable Ministers:

As the father of a 10 year old autistic boy with severe communication challenges I have long been aware that persons with autism and other disorders which impair communication skills have on occasion been TASERED by police forces in North America; in some part because police will use TASERS when dealing with "unruly" persons who do not respond to commands just as they sometimes use forceful takedowns in effecting arrests of such persons. I am concerned about the use of such dangerous weapons on New Brunswick citizens by our police forces.

The announcement by New Brunswick's Chief Coroner Dianne Kelly that she has set a date for an inquest into the death of Kevin Geldart, 34, who had been reported missing from a Moncton hospital ward on May 5, 2005 and who died after Moncton police used a Taser gun on him later that day, increases my concern as does news that the Fredericton City Council has voted to authorize the purchase of TASERS for use by Fredericton City police officers.

TASER use has raised concerns around the world and its use has preceded the deaths of approximately 50 people in North America since 2001. A TASER is a weapon which discharges a high voltage shock sometimes causing cardiac arrest, sometimes immediate and total loss of muscle control resulting in serious head injuries from unprotected collapse of the victim.

Amnesty International has called for cessation of TASER use by police forces pending further study of their safety and has stated that the use by police forces of TASER weapons as contraventions of international standards prohibiting torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment as well as standards set out under the United Nations (UN) Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by law Enforcement Officials.

Please be safe not sorry. You have great and necessary responsibilities to weigh on your consciences. The unnecessary death of New Brunswick citizens should not be among them. I ask that your government prohibit the police use of TASERS or at least suspend such use until your government has studied their safety and you personally feel comfortable with their use on New Brunswickers.

Respectfully,

Harold Doherty

63 Alder Avenue
Fredericton NB

I don't know if the New Brunswick government gave my expression of concern any real consideration. I do not enjoy any particular weight or influence with the government. And the police forces in New Brunswick perform a vitally important service to our society. Their officers deserve everyone's respect and appreciation. When their representatives urge our Public Safety Minister to permit the continued use of Tasers in apprehending citizens it is understandable that their wishes would be given great weight.

Still, given the numbers of deaths arising when individuals have been Tasered it is long past time that governments, including the New Brunswick government, stopped accepting without real, independent study, assertions about the safety of Taser use. A single Taser shot to a healthy police officer who knows the shot is coming is obviously not the same as the often multiple shots, true shocks, which hit people of unknown health in heightened emotional states.

Since last December there have been more Taser induced deaths in Canada and the US. The world has seen that Robert Dziekanski was Tasered, and subdued with rough physical force, when the arresting officers were not in any visible danger, and without any obvious attempt by those officers to communicate. The officers probably did not understand the Polish language being used by Mr. Dziekanski but they could have tried other means to communicate including facial expressions and hand gestures. As the father of an 11 1/2 year old boy with very limited oral communication abilities I have had to learn to communicate in every manner possible.

It is time police officers focussed more on communication, more on defusing situations, and less on firing their Tasers on people. Tasers are not safe when used on persons of unknown health in difficult circumstances. The evidence can be found in the deaths that have ensued. The false belief that Tasers are harmless have probably contributed to their occasionally unnecessary use on persons like Robert Dziekanski.

Hopefully too our political leadership will do more than simply tell us that regardless of the deaths that ensue New Brunswick citizens who lack the ability to communicate will be subject to Taser shots and possible death. Hopefully when Minister Foran says that the government is developing new guidelines for Taser use he actually means it. Hopefully those guidelines will encourage officers to use Tasers only when necessary and only when they, or other citizens are being threatened, and not simply for "non-compliance" with a verbal command. A command which may not be understood by many.

Autism Myths - Is There Something He Is Really Good At?

Yesterday a very good, kind person who I have known for a while professionally, and who has met my son, asked me whether there was something Conor is really good at. Conor is a great joy in my life and I am pleased that he has made progress with language and understanding life primarily by ABA intervention. But he does not have a special gift or talent. The idea that autistic persons all possess some special gift is one of those enduring myths of autism. One unfortunately, that is perpetuated with each media example of one of the talented individuals with autism who do in fact exist.

The myth that ALL autistic persons enjoy a special gift is also perpetuated by the neurodiversity ideologues who assert that autistics have a different, even superior intelligence. These same ideologues like to identify as autistic any historical figure of great intelligence or accomplishment from Einstein to Van Gogh. They also like to deny that many autistic persons are in fact intellectually challenged and that many live out their lives dependent on the care of others, sometimes in institutional settings. Hiding this unfortunate reality is one of the true offenses of the neurodiversity movement. They try to draw society's attention away from the plight of lower functioning autistic persons, rendering them invisible. Lower functioning, non verbal autistic persons are the victims of a myth, they are the victims of true stigma.

Autism and ABA Abuse of Autistic Children - A Case Study, Part 2

Above, top 3, some of the horrible things - "readin, ritin, rithmatic" - Conor was forced to endure through ABA abuse.

Bottom, Conor, tricked by devious ABA techniques into thinking he actually enjoys ABA, has pulled up a chair and waits in anticipation for the arrival of his ABA therapist.

Inclusion Dogma Seductive but Harmful for Some Autistic Students

UK MP Lee Scott has criticized the UK government for placing politically correct inclusion dogma ahead of the needs of autistic school children. While inclusion sounds good it hasn't always helped some autistic school children or their classmates.

"Autism needs debated at Westminster

By Sam Adams

A REDBRIDGE MP has criticised the Government for putting political correctness' before the needs of autistic children.

Lee Scott, MP for Ilford North, secured a special parliamentary debate at Westminster last week, calling for the creation of more special schools, three of which currently exist in Redbridge.

The MP believes the Government's focus on educational inclusiveness' has left many youngsters with the condition struggling in mainstream schools when they would develop more effectively in special schools.

He said: "The dogmatic approach of placing all pupils with special needs in mainstream schools has frequently benefited neither them or the children whom they are educated alongside.

"Many of us have at some time been seduced by the theory of inclusion which seems so nice and reasonable and politically correct, but there is clear evidence that it does not work for every autistic child."

The MP criticised the Government for closing down some special schools, and claimed many mainstream schools are unable to provide the learning support needed by autistic youngsters.

He said: "We have seen seven per cent of special schools closed down since 1997 and in a recent report 44 per cent of teachers in local comprehensives admitted they weren't confident in teaching kids with autism."

The MP praised the work of the borough's current special schools, Hatton School in Clayhall, Newbridge School in Ilford and New Rush Hall School, Hainault, but said provision needed to be expanded further.

Replying for the Government, the Minister for Higher Education and Lifelong Learning Bill Rammell said: "I genuinely welcome this debate and the efforts that the hon. Member for Ilford North has made to bring these important issues to the public's attention."

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