Yay! Got agreement for statement, but now how do I get ABA into it?

[BialystockandBloom]

Can anyone help please? Need advice about how to play the tactical negotiation of getting ABA support within ds's statement.

Great news today that our LA are going ahead with SA for ds (ASD), and that his nursery have got funding for Action Plus till June.

But... we've been doing ABA since last September, and I am absolutely committed to it, it has been the best thing we could have done for ds who has come on leaps and bounds since starting.

I have been told by our Early Intervention Officer (who very much toes the party line and also is completely a bit useless in terms of actually doing anything to help ds) that our LA does not fund ABA.

On Starlight's advice, I did not mention ABA in our SA request, but instead referred to early behavioural intervention. The blimming nursery (with input from EI Officer as above) put a whole section in their report about us doing ABA, so the LA know we are doing it.

So... our ideal scenario would be that ds gets full-time 1:1 support from either one of our existing ABA tutors or an ABA-trained TA provided.

How can I best ensure he gets this? Should we just be completely frank from the start and request this?

We will be asked shortly to complete the parental section of the Statement. He is at nursery atm and due to start primary school in Sep this year.

Sorry for long, long ramble - thanks for reading this far!

Thank you Pipin

Really helpful advice. Makes sense to be upfront doesn't it, of course!

Sorry to hear you've got tribunal coming up - is that to fight to keep ABA funding? Or what? Is your ds/dd(?) in mainstream?

FOI the council and ask how many programmes they have funded in past 5 years - and the council next door too.

Govt always say when asked this question that 90% do fund some ABA.

Also look at ASD Guidelines and doc called "Together from the Start' which has helpful stuff about home programmes and early intervention. SCAMP study also usually comes up at Tribunal (Uk study on ABA)

You really need to collect evidence about why action plus is not enough - you will need to say the nursery cannot meet need without ABA eg not met IEP etc, inadequate progress on EYFS - this can cause conflict - if you can try and get the nursery to understand your point of view (and appreciate without ABA they will get a few visits from outreach then have full responsibility dumped on them) and back you on intensive input + agreeable to ABA coming into nursery that will help. Be aware the LA are possibly going to start trying to do a number on the nursery eg put them off ABA etc. Or say all other nurseries can meet these needs whats the matter with them etc .

Doing the assessment does not guarantee they will issue a statement. They could decide action plus is meeting need.

Be aware of what the LAs plan B may be eg local special school or unit. If the EP agrees mainstream is not enough, local units / special schools will be their first option. eg place in MLD school c £15k pa (fulltime); place in SLD school or unit c £25k pa fulltime; place in mainstream+Outreach parttime they will claim this is about £5k. Fulltime ABA programme - much more so they will claim unreasonable use of resources. You need to consider how you are going to argue that none of the alternatives will be suitable either (eg ABA proven to work, lack mainstream peers, IQ too high for MLD etc). You don't need to mention this unless they try and push you towards another placement but have your arguments ready.

Thank you so much Agnes, that is all really helpful.