Imagine not being allowed to do harmless things, such as tapping your foot or express happiness. This is the reality that many people on the autism spectrum face, and it has a name: applied behavioral analysis. Autistic activists and their allies have long spoken out against this therapy, and science is finally beginning to back their claims.
Chloe Everett is a student at UNCAsheville, where she studies psychology and neuroscience. Chloe is a staunch advocate for disability rights and neurodiversity. She has experience working with people on the autism spectrum, and is neurodivergent herself. Chloe is dedicated to using her experiences growing up in the behavioral therapy system to better assist others, and improve existing therapies for autism. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx