ABA Services for Child on Spectrum

First of all I want you to know that I understand where you're at, you want the best for your child and finding the best is a sometimes lonely and daunting process. You are a loving parent and thats a great start.

My child is on the spectrum (SPD). All of his therapists have always used the DIR Floortime model which seems to be the preferred route unless your child is on the more severe end of the spectrum, has aggression, has problems following directions etc. If your child has classic autism Ive heard the ABA model is the best because it is highly structured and therapist lead. If not, I would suggest DIR which is more child lead and encourages learning and their own decision making process. Ive heard that ABA is not as beneficial to those that are higher functioning because it creates robotic like responses (because thats whats needed to get through to the more severe). But you don't want that in a high functioning child. Not knowing your childs issues or age its hard to say.

When I didn't know a lot about the different methods well meaning outsiders and ABA offices would suggest ABA because they either didn't know his specifics or wanted the money.

Have you had a diagnostic from a qualified team? They would be the ones to tell you which therapy model would be best for him from an unbiased point of view. If you need help finding a diagnostic in your area I can be very helpful, please send me a personal note.

If you've already been told to get ABA you ALWAYS want to interview a perspective therapist for group or individual therapy and sit in on all the therapy sessions until you are comfortable with their process and that they understand your child and his specific pressure points, also how he communicates. Ive walked out of many places who told me that they don't allow the parent in the room and found ones that wanted to me to learn and feel comfortable. They will sometimes tell you its a violation of HIPPA if its a group class which is total bs, they can still let you observe for 10 minutes.

I always ask if even once Im comfortable that if he is upset or asks for me that they bring him out to me in the waiting room. If they tell you its better to let them cry it out, well thats your call...I personally don't believe in that.
It is totally the therapists preference. Everything should be transparent with your child.

There are a lot of websites that explain ABA but of course every therapist is different.

Best of luck to you

ABA = Applied Behavior Analysis

http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/applied...

Sorry, but I've not had any experience with it. I'm just posting the link to help explain for others.

Be VERY VERY VERY VERY careful here. If you read blogs by adults on the spectrum, they have HORROR stories.

Read this post, by the mom of a daughter on the spectrum, now 11
http://adiaryofamom.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/aba/

Tell them that you want to record the sessions. If they say no, don't work with them. This way, if you see something helpful that your child likes, you can support it. It also allows you to see what's going on and stop it quickly if it's NOT OK - here's a blog post about just that situation - http://contemplativechaos80.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/aba-...

1. Trust your gut - if your child is not enjoying it, or fears it, STOP ASAP.
2. It must be CHILD lead - not "do what I say and get an M&M" - that's what a lot of it can be.
3. If the goal is to help the child improve functionality, etc. that's ok - if the goal is to appear "less autistic", extinguish non-harmful/non-intrusive behaviors like stimming, DO NOT DO IT. You will not make your child "less autistic". Many autistic behaviors serve a purpose that most of us don't "get", but that doesn't mean they aren't valuable.
4. If they are physical with your child - too much 'hand over hand', forcing eye contact (grabbing the face), etc., RUN THE OTHER WAY - if you woldn't like someone grabbing your face to make them look at you, don't put your child through it, and if a child has touch sensitivity, grabbing/touching without permission will make their behavior WORSE and for good reason.
5. 40 hours a week for a child is a ridiculous amount of time. Let your child be a child. If they tell you your child needs a full work week of services, RUN. Adults work that much with breaks. It's not appropriate for children. They need to play and learn like other kids.

Kids on the spectrum are on a developmental track that often doesn't match up with "typical" development. That doesn't mean they CAN'T, it just means it's a different speed. TIME is what they often need.

Feel free to IM me and I'll connect you with more blog posts. But please be careful, pay attention to the child's response. The last thing you want is an autistic child getting "helpful" services and ending up with PTSD from it (this happens).

My child was diagnosed with PDD-NOS and received ABA therapy. His therapist was phased out last fall, after 3 1/2 years because of the progress he has made. The program was run through the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) at Nationwide Children's Hospital where he received his diagnosis. We were responsible for hiring the ABA therapists but the CASD trained the therapists and Dad and I at the same time. We had bi-weekly meetings with the therapist and his case supervisor at the CASD and were well-informed. He did not have behavioral issues so the therapy did not focus on that. I know that he would not have made the progress he has without ABA therapy. Feel free to IM me if you want more detailed info.

My daughter is not 'on the spectrum'...although she has many 'special' issues.

Many parents I know have children 'on the spectrum'...and have said that they have had some success with ABA.

In my particular county, it is supposed to be an option through the school system. And I suppose it is...however, most parents seem to have to travel to a neighboring county to receive those services...and I am not clear on 'who' pays!

Best!

What are ABA services? Is ABA the name of a business?