“Today’s episode critiques the behavioural science model, particularly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), for its approach to autistic vocalisations. It argues that terms like “vocal stereotypy” are pejorative and misrepresent authentic autistic communication such as echolalia and stimming. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks—themself an autistic gestalt language processor—rebuts a 2025 ABA study that frames these vocalisations as "non-functional," asserting instead that they are valid forms of self-regulation, memory, and relational expression. Dr. Hoerricks traces ABA’s origins to eugenicist ideologies, highlighting its focus on suppression and conformity rather than understanding and connection. Ultimately, Dr. Hoerricks advocates for epistemic justice and autistic sovereignty, urging a shift from silencing interventions to narrative translation and recognition of autistic communicative diversity.”
Here’s the link to the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/if-you-cant-make-sense-of-us-you
Let me know what you think.
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