Episode 199: Fading Whose Voice? ABA, Scripting, and Gestalt Language

“Today’s episode critiques the widespread use of ‘script fading’ within Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for autistic individuals, arguing that it misunderstands and suppresses a valid form of communication known as scripting, particularly common in gestalt language processors. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, contends that ABA incorrectly treats scripting as a problematic behaviour to be extinguished rather than recognising it as meaningful, internally generated speech. By focusing on externally imposed language and neurotypical communication models, script fading erases the authentic communication of GLPs, causing potential harm and silencing their voices. They advocate for a paradigm shift towards recognising and supporting GLP as a legitimate developmental trajectory, emphasising the need for listening and respecting diverse communication styles over enforcing neurotypical norms.”

Here’s the link to the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/fading-whose-script-aba-misrecognition

Let me know what you think.