Infantilization and Autism

As parents and caregivers, we only want what’s best for our children and those we are responsible for. We do everything we can to provide for them, to support them and to get them whatever they need and want.

This is obviously a very good thing. However, sometimes, we can tend to “baby” them too much, even as they get older.

While this infantilization, as it’s known, happens to many people in many situations, it’s especially common for adults to treat children with autism this way.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is viewed by many to be a disorder that almost completely disables a person, ripping children of their ability to do anything independently. This often results in infantilization, in which people with autism are treated as if they are children even as they grow older.

Parents may think they’re doing good by their children by treating them with “kid hands,” so to speak, but infantilization is not only unnecessary but it can be dangerous, too, especially for children with autism.

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What are Some Examples of Infantilization?

While there are many different examples of infantilization and autism, most fall into one of the following three categories.

One, it’s an assumption that a person can’t do what they’re actually capable of doing, even if they’ve met those developmental milestones. In response, parents may try to stifle their child’s desire to attempt something.

Two, it involves being disapproving and/or judgmental. Parents may express a negative reaction when their child expresses that they want to try new things, or branch out on their own.

Three, parents may try to thwart their child’s ability to mature and grow. This is done by prohibiting them from doing things that are age-appropriate and developmentally-appropriate for them.

Some profound examples include parents engaging in baby talk with their children, “dumbing” vocabulary down or speaking slower to their child, even if this isn’t necessary.

It could also be making decisions on behalf of their child, even as they get older and are capable of making these decisions on their own without help.

What are the Dangers Related to Infantilization and Autism?

When people exhibit infantilization of autism, it can do real harm to people. When parents do it to their own children, it removes their ability to be autonomous and harms their dignity.

This doesn’t just happen from parents, though. It also comes from how autism is portrayed by people. With such a focus on children on the autism spectrum, adults who have autism often get “clumped” into this age category, even if they can live fully independent with exceptional abilities.

People with autism suffer when others act on some of these assumptions. For example, employers could underestimate the capabilities of an individual with autism and then limit what opportunities they present to them because of it.

On a daily basis, other family members, friends and even strangers may interact with individuals who have autism as if they’re children — even as they are grown adults. This is not only disheartening and offensive, but also discouraging to individuals who have worked hard to overcome many of the challenges that they face.

When people exhibit infantilization to individuals with autism, it holds them back from achieving all they can, and puts up even more roadblocks in their way to living happy, successful and fulfilling lives.

Just like neurotypical individuals, those who have autism need to be pushed, challenged and exposed to new things so they can grow and build new skills. When they are infantized, they often aren’t exposed to these things, which can lead to even further development of skills that are crucial to life.

For instance, some people on the autism spectrum aren’t taught basic things such as financial literacy, how to cook and about different modes of transportation because the assumption is they’ll always need to rely on other people for these things. This, in turn, prevents them from actually acquiring these necessary skills, which results in a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts as children with autism aren’t properly prepared to live independently as adults.

Blue Gems ABA Creates an Inclusive Environment for Children with Autism

Infantilization is a major problem with autism. In fact, some are critical of the autism puzzle piece symbol as they say it implies people with autism are incomplete. The way to overcome it is to understand how autism affects people and appreciate every individual for the amazing and unique skills and strengths they possess.

At Blue Gems ABA, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for children on the autism spectrum and helping them build the social, communication and daily life skills with which they often struggle.

We do this by administering applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy. Widely recognized as the gold standard of treatment for people with autism, ABA therapy uses positive reinforcement and repetition to help children learn the skills they need to succeed in life.

For more information, contact us today.