I have replied to you separately Lidia. Also, here is some wording on ABA's credentials which you and perhaps also others might find useful to cut and paste if fighting for LA support of ABA.
ABA and Development Disabilities/Autism
ABA has a rich scientific history in assisting those with developmental disabilities and there is a vast body of research, spanning four decades, documenting the effectiveness of ABA for children with autism. Indeed a number of systematic reviews of evidence-based practices in autism conclude that ABA input in the early years for children with autism has the strongest evidence base of any comprehensive intervention (Eldevik et al, 2010; Rogers, 2008).
ABA programmes for children with autism are based on an analysis of what motivates an individual child to behave in certain ways. Each skill the child needs to learn is broken down into small, achievable steps. Each step is worked on in a systematic and consistent way, using appropriate reinforcement to encourage the behaviours needed. Evidence and data are collected of the child?s progress, so that targets and motivators can be adjusted along the way according to what is and isn?t working for the particular child. Reinforcement systems ? which seek to link desired behaviour with good outcomes or rewards for the child - are particularly important for autistic children, given they may lack the ?social desire to please? that is often present in a normally-functioning child.
ABA teaches an autistic child how to learn, and can therefore be applied to the widest range of skills ? from speech and language, self-care and motor skills, right through to reading and writing.
ABA is carried out either via home programmes run by a qualified ABA consultant and supervisor, or in a growing number of ABA schools in the UK.
Although much of the existing research has focused on ABA?s successes as an early intervention with young autistic children, there is no age limit on when ABA can and cannot be used as a teaching method. ABA as a treatment for children with autism is likely to grow significantly in the UK. If we follow the growth patterns of countries such as the US and Canada, it is probable that the evidence base behind ABA will lead to its establishment as a standard treatment for children with autism. In the US, for instance, 23 states now offer coverage of ABA under healthcare plans. And major companies such as Microsoft and Eli Lilly will fund ABA for the autistic children of employees under their company health plans.
Although small-scale at present in the UK, there is a growing demand for ABA at a ?grass-roots? level from families whose children have been diagnosed with autism, and who have undertaken research as to which treatments will provide the best outcomes for their children.
Over the last decade there has been an increasing demand in the UK for professionals in the field of behaviour analysis, particularly in the area of autism education. There are now 14 ABA schools spread across the UK, with a total number of 258 pupils. An additional estimated 1000 families are working on home ABA programmes across the UK, either part- or full-time. Around 100 Local Authorities across the UK are currently funding ABA programmes for children with autism.