Cultural Boundaries
with Michelli Freitas
Behavior Bites Podcast - Ep26Nov 8, 2023What’s more important— the ethics guidelines or being culturally sensitive?
Are you still worried about being reported over that snack you accepted 5 years ago?
During today’s meal— I speak with a Brazilian behavior analyst about cultural considerations, the growing neurodiversity affirming movement, and truly listening to the population we serve.
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Amuse-Bouche
What are the major differences between ABA in Brazil and in the US?
Appetizers
How did you get into Behavior Analysis?
Palate Cleanser
What is a must-try Brazilian food?
Entrees
What’s something you wish you could have told yourself when you were getting started?
What are cultural considerations when working with Brazilian families?
Dessert
What are your hopes for the future of ABA?
Excerpts from the Episode
(*Paraphrased highlights)-
I do not have to please the professionals. That I do not have to have a commitment with ABA, but with autism. I thought I had to do things as everyone was doing, things for the science— because you’re supposed to honor the science and the theory. For people who feel that they have to, that’s okay, but I don't, because I entered this field because of (my son with) autism.
I need to honor Autistics and the services that are provided to Autistics. The science is good, but I don't have to think that this science alone will save the world and people don't need anything else. When I let this go, it was a game changer for me.
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Brazilians in general are passionate families. They hug, kiss, give gifts. It’s normal. Usually, they have your cell phone. They call you. They will send you a message.
It's not so common to have so many boundaries. Their relationship with their therapist isn’t necessarily like a friend, but as the person that they can go to, not just a person that they see once or twice a week. They can count on this professional when they hire them because they start a relationship with this person. It's pretty common for a therapist to be invited to a birthday party, for example.
You're part of their history. You're part of the development of their child. They want to thank you for being a part of this moment, so they create this personal relationship.
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I hope that people understand the neurodiversity movement and stay aware of this topic. I hope they learn to hear autistic voices. I get that data is important, but just seeing the data is like seeing someone through exams, through an X-ray, and we need to see beyond this.
We have good systems of data and measuring behavior. All of these are important, but why can't we have other things that are also important? I hope we give space for autistic voices themselves to tell us. We are so worried about reading papers, looking to data, but many times we are not hearing the voices that are right in front of us.
I also hope that we start reading papers of other fields and be more open to having this trans-disciplinary work. I think that each one has a job in this world. I hope that we stop defending ABA and start defending our clients. We have to improve, but we are in a better place than we were five years ago.
ABOUT Michelli
Michelli Freitas, Bachelor in Education, Behavior Analyst in Brazil
Professional from the field of education, behavior analyst, training professionals. Empowering Parents and Hearing the Autistics.
Estudo 📚 Logo Critico 💡
Fundadora @ieacinstituto
Formando Terapeutas 🎓
Empoderando Professores 👩🏻🏫
Libertando famílias 🔑
Ouvindo os Autistas 👂
CONNECT with Michelli
* Instagram: @mifreitasautismo* YouTube: @MichelliFreitas* Facebook: Michelli Freitas - IEAC* Podcast: ABAcast
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