I've seen a lot of internet discussions among autistic adults about how different therapies have affected them. These discussions are really disturbing for me as an autistic parent who was raised without the benefit of therapy and is now raising an autistic child. I've had multiple encounters with enraged adults who have told me that my child is being abused and that he or she will one day despise me. We don't practise ABA or engage in behaviour modification. We do employ a relational approach to help people become more flexible thinkers. We don't force eye contact or restrict stimming. We do not gather information. We don't have sessions or a therapist parade.
We are mindful of my child's independence.
Nonetheless, I can't help but lie awake at night, terrified that my child would one day grow up to be an enraged adult who despises me and accuses me of failing them.
I'm not sure if this is a confession or a rant. Perhaps a request to hear from folks who have been damaged and would be willing to offer guidance on what a parent could overlook. What would you like to hear from a parent of an autistic child?
