Autism - Very Interesting Websites You Must Look At!

[Annie12]

Having a couple of friends with autistic children, I tend to take an interest in any articles I see about the condition. I have just read an article in a magazine about a little boy who displayed all of the symptoms of autism but after following 'treatment' from the Son-rise organisation, he is now doing everything that a normal child does. Please go onto the www.son-rise.org website and also look at the Autism File website (just put Autism File into Google)and I promise you will be amazed by the letters from parents.

Could this possibly be the son of the founders of the Options Insitutute? The only child they seem willing to give outcome data on? Ruan Kaufman is his name. Although I believe Son Rise has many good elements, they refuse to take and release data on its effectiveness (or otherwise) plus it is hard to classify as educational, therefore difficult to get funding via LEAs although it has been done.

The UK Autism File is a magazine that is written y parents. All sorts of stories (anecdotal) but most correspondance tends to be about Biological intervention and/or ABA rather than son-rise.

I subscribe for the articles on the biochemistry side- but I've never seen much about son-rise on it. Only occasionally.

I think son-rise can be useful if you have a child who is completely shut off- but not sure it teaches much iyswim- and it seems to require some sort of understanding of imitation. Even very pro- options people I have read stuff by say that if a child can't imitate then ABA is better.

I have only seen brief website of son-rise but didn't feel it was what my girl needed - maybe it would work better for others but I really don't know.

I love ABA. We've had an ABA therapist working with DD for the last 3 weeks and she is doing fabulous. She has LOTS more words, understands the difference between 'yes' and 'no', knows several colors, can follow some basic instructions ... the list goes on and its so hard to believe that 3 weeks ago hardly any of this was there. We only have the therapist for 3 more weeks then DD is off to school in September. Gonna miss the therapist but think having him has really set her up better for school. He has really assisted us in helping to understand and deal with some of her behaviours too and we are finding success!! YAY!! Love ABA.

InternationalGirl, pleased to hear of your success with ABA, we've been doing it for 7.5 years!! (in one form or another). Don't let that therapist get away, can't he still help you after school maybe once or twice a week, weekends? If not, send him to me or else! Men in SN of all sorts are quite hard to come by and with the kids being mostly boys, even more in demand.

Hi Davros
Unfortunately he is moving back to America to work in a special school. But he has been great. It is a shame there are not more guys doing this kind of training - could be such great role models for boys with SN. Hopefully in this day and age we will see more of these fabulous guys. We will definitely keep ABA in high priority.

Ooops, actually we've been doing ABA for 6.5 years! IG, hope you can find someone else who is as good. Where are you located? Are you a member of ABA-UK? (if you're in the UK/Europe)

Didn't know about ABA UK - I'll look to see if they have a website. Still have yet to even check into the Autism Society! Life is so busy - I work full-time and husband is not as motivated to go out and hunt.

One thing I really do want to do is find others with kids on the wide range of the spectrum so DH can understand not all kids are so severe. He is still not convinced she even has autism. DD starts nursery in September so we are looking forward to seeing how her new skills help both her and the teachers.

We're in Golders Green at the moment and will be moving out of UK again next summer - living up to my nickname!!

This is where to find ABA-UK, its a Yahoo discussion group for people in the UK (and a few in other parts of Europe) doing ABA, I happen to be one of the moderators!
groups.yahoo.com/group/ABA-UK
Also, I am in Belsize Park, so very near to you, and I run a support group for parents in North London who use ABA, maybe we already know each other? Contact me direct if you're interested in chatting, getting together or coming to the next support group meeting which is on 9th Sept in Muswell Hill

Thanks Davros - I found the yahoo group. My membership is "awaiting approval by the group owner" -- so I'll probably be on there soon - maybe more of a lurker for a little while though...

You are very near - we lived in Hampstead just 'round the corner from the Police Station when we moved here last year before moving into Golders Green.

I'll try to contact you via 'contact another talker' -- although when I tried it to contact someone else a little while ago it just didn't work so we'll see how it goes...