First and foremost, happy autism awareness month! Every April is dedicated to autism awareness, and it’s a great time to spread information and educate those who might not know anything about autism. This month I’ve got some great shows planned for you, and I want to kick it off with a quick course in the history of autism; specifically, the mothers to children with autism who decided to become professionals in the field.
Back in the mid-40s, it was presumed that if a child was diagnosed with autism it was due to a cold, uncaring mother. These mothers were frowned upon and their children were often taken away from them. The world of autism has come a long, long way since then, although mothers who advocate for their children still face challenges.
Along with the brief history lesson, I also want to talk about my article, The Experiences of Autism Mothers Who Become Behavior Analysts, a qualitative study, which I wrote in the 2000s. In this article I interviewed six mothers whose children were diagnosed with varying degrees of autism, and then decided to become BCBAs. I talked to them about their backgrounds, their highs and lows, and the challenges that they face in as they juggle motherhood and their careers.
I’m the biggest supporter of parents becoming the captain of their own ship and really getting involved in their children’s ABA. The autism world has made great strides since the 1940s, and we owe so much of it to the mothers who fought for their children.
Did today’s episode give you something to think about? Do you have a question for me, or a topic you would like to see covered in the future? Email me at [email protected]!
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