ABA consultants/tutors in Milton Keynes?

[HopefulMother1]

I am mother to a little boy of 16 months who has very limited understanding, claps sometimes, does not point or wave among other things. I am not waiting for my son to be given a label, but rather want to take action now to ensure he has the best chance of developing. Is anyone able to recommend an ABA consultant/tutor in Milton Keynes who has done wonders for their child?

Hi, did you find any AbA consultants so far? I am looking for my son too in Mk area. Thank you

Hi @choclate999 . I did, but ended up quitting the sessions early as much of what she told me I already knew from the reading done, or could find online, i.e. model and label constantly. It was very expensive for what it was. Would love to find interactive sessions with new tactics that I haven't yet seen or heard of, but still no luck there.

Please can you share the details of the consultant, I am in different situation than you. My son is 8 yo and really good at academics only struggles with social interaction.
I will give a try. Thank you

What's her name ?

Ah okay. Indeed, your situation is different from mine. There are different specialists for different needs. I saw a preschool therapist, but the centre has many. You can find them here: theowltherapycentre.co.uk/

Thank you so much

Hi @HopefulMother1 you are nearly two months down the line now from your original post so I'm just wondering if you've seen any progress in that time? (Whether that's been from yourself or professionals). I'm worried I may be approaching in a similar situation so would be keen to hear your thoughts - mine is 15mo x

Hi @Cluelessmum5 .I have been labelling and modelling constantly for my son since writing the initial post. He now waves and says "hi" and "bye-bye". This isn't consistent as sometimes he is just not in the mood to do so I reckon. He points every now and again and labels, and can now say a number of words. He does not point to show me stuff mind you, but does show shared interest in other ways: he brings me toys and things of interest, and tries to share his food when he feels to. He also can tell me the names of things if I point to them and ask, "what's this?". He likes to master new skills just so myself and his father clap and cheer for him. His understanding is coming along but is still not where I want it to be. He can do all the gestures to a number of nursery rhymes, and sings them (though most that he says is unclear other than to myself and my husband). Having said all this which I know sounds positive, he still has his off days where he'd rather just play with his toys and not engage in learning activities. He loves books and now demands that I or his father "sit down" when he wants to be read to so he can sit in our laps. He cannot bring me a particular book if I ask, but does (sometimes) bring me a book if I ask, or gives me an item if I say "give". He also loves other children, running around with them and laughing (although he doesn't play games with them yet). The best thing I've done is simply narrate what I am doing for him to hear. He has picked up so much from that. I hope this helps. It does get easier once the bubs starts talking. I was in a panic up until then, but day by day I am more relaxed.

Thanks so much for your reply @HopefulMother1 . Oh gosh, well I'm no expert but I think that all sounds really great for an 18m old. Are you worried still? Can I ask - when you engaged with the professional services did they say you were right to be concerned?? I approached my HV and even engaged a Speech and language therapist about a month ago as we were so worried but both said he was fine. The HV just said he's quite a 'serious baby'. When pressed they said he was just a bit young too draw any firm conclusions. I should have felt relieved, and did for a bit, but I still have days where I just spiral. Our family seem to think he's 'fine' but husband and I are still worried x

Well, a few things @Cluelessmum5 . My HV and GP informed me that the milestones are guidance and that there are many neurotypicals who rarely point even when they can fully talk. They reminded me that everyone develops at their own pace. For this reason, the health service will not assess and officially diagnose a child before 2 years old I was informed. My next point is very important. My son has blocked ears. This is not visible, and was noticed by chance by a doctor. He has been put forward for microsuctioning and for an audiology assessment. This is extremely common in babies because the structure of their ears has not yet fully developed, i.e. tilted, and is the cause of slow development in a number of toddlers. I am going privately to have his ears looked at. I would suggest you have this assessed too.

To answer your question, I am still worried although my husband is not, and friends and family think I am overthinking it. They keep stressing he is only 18 months old. I am aware that there are many kids in the nursery class my son is in who do not seem to wave or do things on cue as the milestones would suggest is normal. That said, I do think that my son's understanding of instructions should be better than it is. I have also noticed at parties that he is less inclined to get involved in group games with toddlers although is great with one or two at a time. Maybe this is normal. I really don't know anymore. All I do know from all the professionals I have spoken with (countless at this point), is that there isn't much else I can do other than wait and see for now. The SALT will not consider working with my son until he is at least two, so even from a linguistic support point of view all is left to my husband and I.

The one thing I can tell you is the development between 15 and 18 months is amazing. He has come so far in that time. My son was a serious baby too, and his eye contact was just okay. Nowadays he laughs and engages way more, and has great eye contact. It is painful, but your best bet at this time is to keep modelling and labelling, and watch the development over the next 8 - 12 weeks. I hope you feel better by then, and that your worries are put to bed.

Again, @HopefulMother1 what a thorough and helpful reply, I'm so so grateful for you taking the time to share with me. I think I have learned more reading about your little one and your journey than I have engaging with any professionals so far!! I have also come up against the 'not until they're 2' arbitrary assessment criteria. It's hard to hear because you know that at the same time early intervention is key so you feel like valuable opportunities to intervene and make a difference will be lost by waiting, don't you?? I looked into ABA like you but alot of it seemed to be for much older children and I didn't know if I was being OTT. My son's receptive language seems sound. He largely understands what I'm asking him to do and will point at things if asked etc. He's just very limited in his expression as he only seems to have one constanent sound and no amount of modelling and labelling seems to be getting through to him (unless he's absorbing it all in readiness??). It's so encouraging to hear of the progress your son has made in the last few months, I can only hope and pray we yield a similar outcome. I'm interested to read about the hearing issue you had. I had hoped (weird thing to 'hope' for but I'm sure you get the jist) this was something for us but when I begged the GP to take a look she said his ears were fine. I'm assuming that's the final word on it (unless a more invasive/thorough check can bring up something not visible by a Dr check??). Sorry to have hijacked your thread by asking all these questions of you, I've just got nobody to ask in real life I'm worried I'm coming across like a total neurotic x

Please don't worry about "hijacking [this] thread". I made a vow to myself to respond to anyone faced with the same concerns. Too many posters simply disappear and, like you, I had no one to talk it through with in real life other than my husband. Indeed, I can totally empathise with that sinking feeling when told to "wait and see". I felt like valuable time was slipping away too. However, my experience with the ABA therapist of 15 years made me realise I could do much myself. The language pathologist, Laura Mize, is amazing if you haven't already stumbled across her and her advice. Honestly, her podcasts and YouTube videos have made such a difference to my son's responses. If your son's receptive language is sound at this point, you're in a potentially better position than I was at 15 months. My son's babbling was repetitive and limited at 15 months but he has come so far since then. I hope you feed back at 18 months. I hope to hear about the progress made. Feel free to reach out anytime.

I forgot to tag you @Cluelessmum5 - oops! See the above

@HopefulMother1 thank you so much. I've not heard of Laura Mize but will be checking her out. So hard to get actual recommendations, have spent too long looking at book reviews I wouldn't know where to begin there's such a dizzying amount of stuff out there but hard to know what's useful. I'm so pleased you've seen progress in such a short space of time, really value your insight and experience. I agree there are too many of these threads with no follow up; I'll check back in in a few months and update? Likewise would love to hear how your little boy comes on. All the best x

We have been doing this ABA for years. We also have a local FB page Milton ABA Autism group, with the local BCBA.

Hi @HopefulMother1 and @choclate999,
My son was recently diagnosed with ASD and I am looking to start ABA. I live in Milton Keynes. Did you find any ABA consultant and tutor in Milton Keynes. Can you recommend anyone?

Hi @penna. I'd recommend The Owl Therapy Centre for ABA. Check them out.

Hi, we're struggling to find tutors but found the consultant which isn't great. She doesn't respond so quickly. She responds after 3-4 days. Good lick with your search