'If I don't Do It, I'm Out of Rhythm and I Can't Focus As Well': Positive and Negative Adult Interpretations of Therapies Aimed at 'Fixing' Their Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours in Childhood.
Lynne McCormack, Sze Wing Wong, Linda E Campbell
PMID 35781855WHAT IT FOUND
Four autistic adults described childhood therapies aimed at stopping harmless stimming as distressing and isolating.
They reported that stopping these behaviours disrupted their focus and emotional regulation. Positive outcomes came from supportive relationships and accepting their own needs, not from having their behaviours fixed.
Key findings
01Participants reported that therapies targeting harmless stimming behaviours caused distress, isolation and feelings of being 'not good enough', rather than helping them function.
02One participant described stimming as essential for maintaining rhythm and focus, stating that stopping it caused agitation and disrupted their thinking.
03Growth and self-acceptance were associated with supportive relationships and tailored interventions, rather than with attempts to 'fix' neurotypical differences.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study included only four participants, limiting the transferability of findings. Participants were predominantly identified as 'high functioning', which may not reflect the experiences of those with more significant support needs. The sample was homogeneous regarding ethnicity and gender (only one female participant), limiting insights into intersectional experiences. Findings are based on retrospective accounts of childhood interventions, which may be subject to recall bias. No community involvement in the study design or interpretation.
Declared interests
Funded by The University of Newcastle (Australia). No specific commercial conflicts of interest were reported in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not generalise these findings to all autistic individuals or conclude that all behavioural interventions are harmful. The study focuses on four adults reflecting on childhood therapies specifically targeting harmless RRBs. It does not address interventions for self-injurious or dangerous behaviours, nor does it prove that stopping stimming always causes distress.