u/iybhsp

For parents who rejected ABA or pulled their child out of ABA, what was your reason and how old was your child?

I came across a TikTok clip from one of those dating/matchmaking shows (I think it’s called “Pop the Balloon,” not 100% sure). There was a woman on it, probably in her late 20s, and she came across as someone who might be neurodivergent.

But honestly, that’s not even the point.

What really stuck with me—and honestly kind of ruined my mood—was the comment section. It was brutal. People were straight up mocking her, throwing around “she’s autistic” or “she has special needs” like it was an insult or a punchline. Saying she’s on the wrong show and belongs on Love on the Spectrum. And the worst part? Other people were laughing along. Every single comment I saw was like that—just people laughing at her because she seemed autistic. Not one kind comment. Not one person saying “this isn’t okay.”

These weren’t kids. These were grown adults typing this stuff so casually, like it’s nothing.

And I found myself reading it and thinking… what makes them think they’re superior? What makes someone feel like they have the right to talk about an autistic person like that? The arrogance in those comments was unreal. I kept thinking, I really hope life humbles people who think this way.

I sat there reading comment after comment and it just started to feel really heavy. Like… this is how people talk? This is how they see autistic individuals? As something to laugh at?

As a mom to an autistic 4-year-old, it hit me in a way I didn’t expect. I kept thinking about my son. About him growing up in a world where people can be this unkind without even thinking twice. Every comment felt like a little punch to the chest, not just because of that woman, but because of what it says about how people view autistic and neurodivergent individuals in general.

I don’t know… I guess I just needed to say this somewhere. It really stayed with me.