ANPA warn of ‘Inklings’ Program’s Risks to Babies

Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association (ANPA) raise alarm around ‘Inklings’ program and risk of significant long-term harm to babies.

The Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association (ANPA) has called for an immediate halt to the roll-out of an experimental behaviour conditioning program known as ‘Inklings’ in South Australia by the Malinauskus government.

The program was conceived by experimental researcher Professor Andrew Whitehouse from the Telethon Kids Institute and is based on computer modeling from the University of South Australia that only extends to the age of 13.

President of the Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association Sarah Langston has flagged that the program constitutes a significant risk of harm to neurodivergent babies and has raised concerns that the South Australian government is acting in breach of international child protection and disability laws.

“Rolling out highly risky research that is only five years old on vulnerable babies with scant data around life-long impact is a likely breach of international law,” Ms. Langston said.

“This kind of state interference in private family life and the normal development of our babies is alarming,” Ms. Langston continued.

“Neurodivergent families have asked for more support but we didn’t mean interference in our homes like this. We meant support workers, respite – help with everyday parenting when kids have complex needs, so we can be there for them and less stressed.”

Professor Whitehouse has come under scrutiny for a number of years by disability advocates for promoting the program which seeks to change parenting interactions with babies to prevent the development of traits which meet the threshold for diagnosis.

“The whole purpose is denying kids access to a diagnosis by training their parents to teach them to suppress outward signs of Autism. It’s a cost saving measure and I predict, will do significant harm to kids long term,” Ms. Langston said.

“It’s also really patronising and mum blaming. The implication appears to be that parents make their kids Autistic through their parenting style, but we already know from science that it’s genetic. Our families have asked for specific support and it’s not this,” Ms. Langston concluded.

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The Australian Neurodivergent Parents Association (ANPA) defends and equips ND parents in Australia.

We advocate for the right to support, equity and full inclusion of Neurodivergent parents and our children in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2008).

We are focused on ending violence, discrimination, abuse and neglect of Neurodivergent parents and their families. We acknowledge this is gendered, and that most harm is done to Neurodivergent women and mothers.