The Plight of Elderly People with Autism

 

Elderly people on the autism spectrum have two predicaments. The impairement of autism and the various impairments that potentially come with old age.

Some autistics might develop dementia. Some autistics might have simple old age decline. Needless to say, two  or more special needs have  developed. We also need to see more specialists who will assist older people with autism.

I am 56 with diabetes and hypo-thyroidism, and also am autistic. What if I develop dementia too. There is currently very few professional counselors who are qualified to assist older adults with autism let alone elderly adults with autism. Counselors need to be trained to help such ailing ones.

Thanks for reading my post. Please leave a comment, whether you agree or disagree to drum up some discussion. Thank you!

Blog Briefings

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Is It Person with Autism or Autistic Person, Part 2?

 

A person presented the strongest argument yet I have seen for calling autism a disorder and "person with autism." I should have realized this, as I am a mental health counselor. One of the criteria for autism in diagnostic manuals (DSM and ICD) is impairement. To be diagnosed with autism the person needs to be impaired to some extent. 

Now the DSM refers to social impairment, communicative impairement, and behavioral impairement. Despite what those advoates say,  who argue that autism is an identity and not a disorder, they have to contend with the fact that autism involves impairement.

Is Applied Behavioral Analysis Dangerous to Autistic Children?

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is a highly controversial form of therapy in some autistic communities. Some even claim it is dangerous. This posting will attempt to present a balanced view.

What is ABA? ABA is an applied form of behavioral analysis based on a philosophy called radical behavioralism conceived by B.F. Skinner. Classical behavioralism started in 1913 with John B. Watson's paper "Psychology as the Behavioralist Views It," in which he argued that psychology should focus on observable behaviors. In the 1960's Skinner included thoughts, feelings, and other private events as behavior, something that Watson would have objected to.

Now the controversy. Medical News today presents a very  balanced view of ABA click here for that article. At the forefront  against ABA is the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). For ASAN's viewpoint click here. The European Counsil of Autistic People has issued a similar statement. Click here to read.  There is a post on Reddit that presents a different view. Click here for that post. Also an article published in the peer reviewed publication Autism in 2023 expressed similar information.

On the other hand some disagree with the critics. Leaf, et al. states that all forms of abuse should be taken seriously, but ABA essentially results in positive outcomes. Others have published similar results (Schuck, et al, Schuck, et al, Dawson, Franz, & Brandson, Mathur, Renz, & Tarbox, and Allen, et al.

In conclusion, ABA may result in abuse if employed in certain ways, but it is an an evidenced-based therapy modality and can be used ethically.