Episode 62: Protecting Kentucky Kids

Kat: We're going to get an island called Autisca. We'll have a petting zoo.

Autistic Advocates Unite: Challenging ABA Mandates in Kentucky Schools

• Autistic podcast hosts Dr. Angela Lauria and Matt Lowry, along with advocates Winter and Kat, discuss a concerning push to mandate ABA therapy in Kentucky public schools.

• The group strongly opposes this move, highlighting several critical points:

  1. ABA is viewed as unethical by many autistic individuals, focusing on modifying outward behaviors without addressing inner experiences.

  2. ABA operates from a deficit model, aiming to make autistic people appear more neurotypical, regardless of negative masking outcomes.

  3. The “therapy” causes trauma, deepens internalized ableism, and increases the likelihood of suicide among autistic individuals.

• Advocates argue for prioritizing autistic voices, acceptance, and accommodations over pursuing outdated "cure" models rooted in colonialist and eugenic ideologies.

• They propose alternative investments in teacher training, special education staff (especially autistic educators), sensory rooms, and class support animals as more beneficial for autistic students.

• The episode highlights the burnout faced by autistic advocates constantly fighting these battles, emphasizing the need for community support and shared advocacy workload.

• A call to action is issued to organize and counter the proposed bill (HCR 51) before it advances, stressing the importance of connecting autistic-led organizations and advocates.

• The podcast affirms that autism is an integral part of identity, not a disease to be eliminated, advocating for ethical, compassionate support focused on authentic quality of life for autistic individuals.

What kind of neurodiversity-affirming supports would have helped you in school? Tell us in the comments and use #AutisticCultureCatch to share your answer on your social media and connect with other listeners!

Show notes and resources:

Kentucky House concurrent Resolution 51

House of Representatives in Kentucky

Kentucky Advisory Council on Autism 

Mandatory ABA lived-experience - ABA Abuse Traumatizes Autistic Teen (A First Hand Account)

The Great Big ABA Opposition Resource List

Milton’s Double Empathy Study

Scholarly article: A systematic review and meta-analysis of suicidality in autistic and possibly autistic people without co-occurring intellectual disability

Scholarly article: Death by Suicide Among People With Autism: Beyond Zebrafish

Video: The Sensory Room: Helping Students With Autism Focus and Learn

Kentucky House Standing Committee - Education

Winter’s website: Translunar Academy

Find Winter’s advocacy group: Autistics United Kentucky Facebook and Instagram

Other episodes to check out if you liked this one:

Episode 36: Bad Autism Diagnosis

Episode 20: Sesame Street is Autistic

Episode 24: The Trouble with Temple

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Learn more about Matt at Matt Lowry, LPP

Matt’s social media: Autistic Connections Facebook Group

Learn more about Angela at AngelaLauria.com and Difference Press

Angela’s social media: Twitter and TikTok

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