Autistic Advocacy
ABA & The Genocide Clock: Understanding the Risks
Autistic Advocacy isn’t just about history – it’s about fighting harmful practices that still exist today. Two critical issues that continue to impact autistic people are Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and the Genocide Clock, both of which raise serious concerns about the treatment and future of autistic individuals.
ABA Therapy: The Controversy
ABA is often marketed as the “gold standard” for autism intervention, but many autistic people experience it as compliance training. It focuses on modifying behaviors to make autistic individuals appear more “typical,” often through repetitive drills and reward-based conditioning. Critics argue that ABA prioritizes masking over genuine well-being, teaching autistic children to suppress their natural behaviors rather than fostering self-acceptance.
Autistic Self-Advocates have long spoken out against ABA, highlighting its emotional and psychological harm. The push for alternatives that respect autistic autonomy is growing, but ABA remains widely used in Australia and New Zealand.
The Genocide Clock: A Warning for the Future
Meg Evans’ Genocide Clock warns of the dangers of prenatal autism screening. When society views autism as something to “eliminate,” autistic lives are at risk. The fear is that widespread screening could lead to selective abortion, reducing the number of autistic people born and reinforcing the idea that autism is undesirable.
This issue is not hypothetical – similar concerns have been raised in the Down syndrome community, where prenatal screening has led to a significant decrease in births. Autistic Advocates argue that the focus should be on supporting autistic individuals, not preventing their existence.
What Can We Do?
The fight against ABA and the Genocide Clock is about protecting autistic rights and ensuring a future where autistic people are valued. Advocacy, education, and policy change are essential to pushing back against harmful practices.
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