Description
On the Dark History and Surprising Revival of Behavior Modification (ABA)
John Summers will present On the Dark History and Surprising Revival of Behavior Modification on
September 21, 2023, @ 9:30 am Pacific / 10:30 am Central / 11:30 am Eastern.
Recorded Access: September 22 – October 6.
Presentation Description
This presentation examines the history of behavior modification and chronicles its development in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the most common treatment used for autism today. ABA sparks a complete range of antinomies in special education and disability health care—motivation and authority, freedom and coercion, difference and normalcy, profit and care. Behavior modification itself infiltrates contemporary politics, marketing, gaming, and media. Coming to grips with ABA as a service model necessarily entails a larger critique of American culture.
Audience: This educational presentation is appropriate for Autistic people, Family members and Carers of autistic children and young people, Therapy Providers including SLPS, OTs, and Mental Health Counselors, Educators, Medical Providers, and Medical Staff Members.
The course includes a fact sheet and a Certificate of Attendance
Historian John Summers is the author of Every Fury on Earth, the editor of four books of cultural criticism, and formerly the editor in chief of The Baffler magazine. He writes and speaks widely about issues in contemporary culture. In recent years, he has turned to address autism and related neuro-developmental disorders, casting one eye on disability policy and the other on the history of the human sciences.
Summers is also President and Editorial Director of Lingua Franca Media, Inc., a research institute positioned between the poles of public debate and expert knowledge. He has held academic appointments at Columbia University, Boston College, and Harvard University. He graduated with a Ph.D. in history from the University of Rochester in 2006 and lives with his two children in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His work is archived on https://www.johnsummers.co/
Participants will learn why
- ABA is incompatible with humanistic service models
- “Behavior” does not exist as an independent category
- Rejecting ABA as a treatment requires the dismantling of hierarchies in educational and human service institutions
The mismeasure of Misha
Summers, J. (2022, November 28). The mismeasure of Misha My son broke free from the most common therapy for autism… Boston Review
As Private Equity Comes to Dominate Autism Services… It’s time to ask ourselves how long we want to keep rewarding bad behavior.
Summers, J. (2021, April 2). As private equity comes to dominate autism services… The Nation.
