ABA/Verbal ABA

[mumsuz]

We have just had DD (age 6) assessed by an independent Ed Psych for the purposes of appealing against the LEA's refusal to assess.

She has also recently received an ASD diagnosis. Very passive/quiet, no challenging behaviours but evident receptive and expressive language difficulties.

His report will support our appeal. We also started discussing what we are presenting doing to support DD. He suggested that because her language is so disordered that none-rigid ABA with a strong speech and language element or Verbal BA (which I assume are the same thing) might really help her. DD sees a regular speech therapist presently and gets some LEA input but nothing seems to have made a huge difference and the gap between her and peers on language and communication is widening.

Any experiences/thoughts welcome.

Thanks

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Well I'd recommend it highly, but how would you expect it to work?

[mumsuz]

I'm not sure. He has given me a couple of names to follow up with. I think the intention would be to devise a programme that we and the school could work with. I don't yet know enough about it but wondered what others' experience was.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Are the school supporting your appeal? Would they be willing to have tutors in/train their own?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

And did your EP's first name begin with D?

[mumsuz]

Yes. DU. The school are supporting the appeal but not sure how far they would go otherwise. There is another dc in the nursery who is there for mornings and has an aba tutor.

I was struck by the fact he thought dd's language disorder and communication problems were the key issue for us to focus on.

Thanks

[salondon]

The school need to allow tutors in. Or train their lsa

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Thought so.

He is probably right that it was what your child needs but did he give you an indication of your chances of getting it?

Tactically when raising with the school (and you'll have to - though I'd wait until assessment is agreed), try to work with them to find a solution that will be palatable to them. If your child is not a problem for them, on,y for herself they are unlikely to support any intervention that costs them resources.

Schools have been given extra money for SEN that isn't ring fenced. That means the LA will not give additional until they have spent £10k themselves (which they would probably prefer to spend on year 6 SATS booster classes or IT).

A way round this would be to tell them that if they agree to your chosen tutors you could employ yourself and invoice LA directly. However not all schools are willing to allow staff on site that they don't 'control'. A way through this is to allow them to co-interview.

I have to say though that lots of LAs have illegal blanket policies against ABA and unfortunately once out of early years some tribunal judges seem to as well.