Episode 347: Still Not Listening—Autism, Parentese, and Erasure

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Recorded06 Sep 2025

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Today’s episode critiques a new study claiming autistic infants respond to “parentese,” or baby talk, arguing that such research perpetuates a “deficit frame” by presuming a lack of communication in autistic children from the outset. The author of the source article, Jaime Hoerricks, PhD, asserts that this study, and the broader field, ignores existing autistic communication methods like gestalt language processing, scripting, and echolalia, effectively erasing the voices and experiences of autistic individuals. Dr. Hoerricks traces a recursive loop in autism research, where an assumed absence leads to categorical definitions, intervention-focused studies, and further conclusions that reinforce the initial deficit premise. She highlights how academic authority often validates what autistic people and their parents have known for decades: that autistic infants do communicate and relational attunement is crucial. Ultimately, she advocates for “narrative sovereignty,” urging a shift away from deficit-based research towards an understanding that acknowledges and values diverse autistic communication.Here’s the link to the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/still-not-listening-what-parenteseLet me know what you think.The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit autside.substack.com/subscribe

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