Julianna and Kelley examine the "Autism Industrial Complex" through the lens of Mattel's new Autistic Barbie doll. Drawing from a 2022 book, they break down how autism has become a multi-billion dollar business driven by hope, fear, and claims of science. The hosts critique how ABA therapy, genetic research, and products like Autistic Barbie perpetuate this system while often excluding severely autistic individuals from the conversation. They discuss vaccination fearmongering, corporate tokenism, and whether interventions are truly helpful or just profitable. With their signature honesty, they challenge listeners to question what's driving autism advocacy and research.

Key Takeaways:

• The Autism Industrial Complex operates on three pillars: hope, fear, and truth (science rhetoric)
• ABA therapy evolved from acknowledging limitations to promising normalization
• Autism Awareness Month shifted to Autism Acceptance Month, reflecting changing narratives
• Anti-vaccination movements exploit fear to drive the autism prevention industry
• Severely autistic individuals are consistently excluded from autism advocacy conversations
• Autistic Barbie was developed with the Autism Self Advocacy Network over 18 months
• Mattel donated only 1,000 Autism Barbies to children's hospitals
• The book suggests avoiding diagnosis and interventions to escape the industrial complex
• Parents shouldn't bankrupt themselves pursuing interventions driven by hope or fear
• Being part of the autism conversation inevitably makes you part of the industrial complex

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Refrigerator Moms is sponsored by Brain Performance Technologies, a specialty mental health clinic that offers neuromodulation treatments including SAINT (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder, as well as MeRT (Magnetic e-resonance therapy) for autistic people aged three or older. Learn more at https://brainperformancetechnologies.com