Sorry McK been off but going back to ask what books about ABA is good...only read Catherine Maurice about a mum sitting outside the room whilst the tutors did the ABA...this gave me huge motivation before I started ABA with ds. Other that that research ...to check how great it was...is!

Electra I did the 70hrs cause I was stressed for 2 years ds not talking and getting worse by the day (behaviours) it did give me control back and built our relationship to a level closer than I never imagined...Ed Psych said he never saw such a good relationship bond...it was all down to ABA. ABA is a 24/7 thing now just do it all time to maintain behaviours etc but I don't do it as part of hours now. I attend workshops/supervise/discuss/communicate between tutors/ resources/ put programmes together/ pay sheets/HR/meal preparer/taxi driver/extra for three group sessions verbal communication etc/cleaner and of course tealady . SO I can do the ironing now I just choose not to

Trouble is also, until now, people with BCBA have been charging people who want to take BCBA exams an arm and a leg for compulsorty supervision.

My fantastic academic supervisor does not charge as he considers it a moral issue (and foregoes about £25 00 a year because of it).His hope is that we will achieve a critical mass who will in turn supervise others for nowt in the next few years.

He is a depply honourable man.

Yes, moondog I agree.

You're right about that, moondog! I remember when we started ABA someone telling me that unqualified people with not nearly enough experience were advertising themselves as consultants - I am glad to hear that is changing. Actually a good consultant will tell you if they think a potential tutor is not suitable...

Electra, re this comment

'But cyberseraphim - I think ABA, more than anything else has research to show that it does actually work'

It's not just that you tihnk, it is in fact the truth.Nothing else (SALT, SIT, music therapy, Portage, blah blah blah) has such a strong evidence base for this population.

Fact.

mum2fred - don't worry, you will find good tutors. Having said that, I don't believe that everyone is suitable for ABA teaching. But you get to know whether someone is going to work out or not and a lot depends on how reinforcing your child finds that person. If you are recruiting your own tutors and not using a provider, then do be careful though. Some time ago a parent on ABA-UK gave me specific advice on how to screen effectively.

The gold standard is having someone in charge who has either an MSc or PhD in ABA or is a BCBA (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst).

The field has been poorly regulated until now but this is changing fast.

''So a lot depends on quality of tutors''

eek!

But cyberseraphim - I think ABA, more than anything else has research to show that it does actually work. I don't know anyone running a program who isn't happy with the results....but having said that an ABA program will be less effective, or in the worst instance actually damaging if the staff applying it are no good. So a lot depends on quality of tutors.

Also, the fact a child is non-verbal does not mean that they aren't making any progress - receptive language is, imo most important. Some children will never be verbal however much intervention they receive, but that doesn't by itself indicate that they are not progressing...

Oh Moondog, I can give you a running commentry if you like. Mine spent the whole session getting my ds to say 'more', which was his first word and one that he has been using for over a year.