Michelle Dawson
Encyclopedia
Michelle Dawson is an individual diagnosed with autism
and an autism researcher. She has written a paper challenging the ethical and scientific foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis
(ABA)-based autism interventions. She also challenged the medical necessity of ABA for individuals with autism
in the Supreme Court of Canada
in Auton v. British Columbia
, 3 S.C.R. 657. Dawson's work has generated considerable controversy. In the mid 2000s, Michelle Dawson joined Laurent Mottron's research team.
Dawson says that most scientists try to determine how autistic brains are broken, but Dawson thinks it would be more useful to try to determine how autistic brains work rather than how they are broken.
She has collaborated with Dr. Laurent Mottron to publish research papers, with Dr. Mottron estimating that Dawson contributes about 20% to the finished product.
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
and an autism researcher. She has written a paper challenging the ethical and scientific foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis is a science that involves using modern behavioral learning theory to modify behaviors. Behavior analysts reject the use of hypothetical constructs and focus on the observable relationship of behavior to the environment...
(ABA)-based autism interventions. She also challenged the medical necessity of ABA for individuals with autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
in the Supreme Court of Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeals in the Canadian justice system. The court grants permission to between 40 and 75 litigants each year to appeal decisions rendered by provincial, territorial and federal appellate courts, and its decisions...
in Auton v. British Columbia
Auton (Guardian ad litem of) v. British Columbia (Attorney General)
Auton v. British Columbia , [2004] 3 S.C.R. 657, is a leading decision of the Supreme Court of Canada wherein the Court ruled that government funding for non-core medically necessary treatments is not protected under section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.-Background:The...
, 3 S.C.R. 657. Dawson's work has generated considerable controversy. In the mid 2000s, Michelle Dawson joined Laurent Mottron's research team.
Dawson says that most scientists try to determine how autistic brains are broken, but Dawson thinks it would be more useful to try to determine how autistic brains work rather than how they are broken.
She has collaborated with Dr. Laurent Mottron to publish research papers, with Dr. Mottron estimating that Dawson contributes about 20% to the finished product.
External links
- No Autistics Allowed, Dawson's website
- The Autism Crisis: The Science and Ethics of Autism Advocacy, Dawson's blog