ABA service providers

[theDudesmummy]

Hi
In the first stages of thinking of setting up a full ABA programme.
Just wondering whether anyone had any advice regarding the different service providers. I have contacted PEACH and am thinking about using them, however, they also supply a list of other providers, including Duncan Fennemore, Catherine Green and a number of others. It is all rather daunting as I am not sure how to distinguish/who is best/what the differences might be etc. Has anyone got any experience, thoughts etc?
Thanks v much!

PS I am in London

They are well known and afaik ethical and quality providers. However, I'm afraid I don't consider any of them especially good value.

They charge for their earned reputations but there are good cheaper alternatives. You will find lesser well known providers more flexible with their programmes and for your budget/resources without insisting on a particular set-up, no. of hours/tutors etc.

Any advice on who any "lesser known providers" might be, Starlight? I need someone who will be quite directive and involved, I have very limited time to do any delivery/training etc myself etc (have a more than full-time job) but am prepared to pay for the right/highly supportive set-up.

I see on the list a guy called Tony Balazs, in north London (its where we are). Anyone know of him?

ABA UK yahoo group is probably the best place to ask.

ABA Uk is indeed a good place to ask.

I have not used any of the people you mention. I do know a couple fo people who have used DF, but with no direct involvement I would be reluctant to comment.

I used another well-known provider, and was very happy with what was delivered. PM me if you want to know more.

I haven't ever found any consultant to be particularly insistent on number of hours/tutors etc (or maybe I am just waaay more assertive than I think I am ), but did come across a couple of companies who prvided the lot (ie all tutors, supervisors etc) who insisted on a set number of hours. that was not for us, so we did not use them.

ABA is still very much a word of mouth and gut feel industry. research as much as possible on the people you are interested in.

I chose the providers I wanted to speak to based (partly) on the experience of posters (way back when I started posting) who I respected on here - kind of 'pick someone with a similar outlook and quiz them on how they found X'. I also tried to 'fit' my dd1 into what I was reading form these posters - was she similar? did she have similar needs? and I went for providers who seemed to be supporting families with children with similar needs.

theDudesmummy

There is no such thing as an ABA program. There are many different programs which have their initial roots in the APD philosophy. You will need to ask which programs and delivery systems each program provider is able to provide, and whether the combination of programs they are able to offer are suitable for your DC. There appears to be a great deal of myth and marketing currently out there and very little information based on international scientific research , although some do make this claim.

You could begin to identify the possible ABA based program option from ABA Philosophy (HANDS in Autism Diamond) and there is more research based information included in the CiteULike Autism research library including Precision Teaching. As one poster has recently observed there is a great deal of information to absorb and understand, so you will need to take your time.

dolfrog, yes I do realise that "ABA programme" is shorthand for a range of therapies, what I am probably looking for is a VB based programme. I have done quite a bit of research already on the theory side (while of course recognising that I need to continue to learn more), so what I am asking for at this moment is a more practical steer as to where I turn for what I want.

I am interested in the idea that there are some providers who will do the "lot", as silverfrog" puts it, given the time limitations I have due to my work. Basically I am in a poisition of being prepared to pay more if someone can do more of the organising, while still retaining overall control of the process. Silverfrog* I will send you a PM, thanks

Thanks also for the reading tips dolfrog.

sorry about the bold there, typing while toddler on my knee trying to eat the computer

PS will also join ABA UK group, thanks for the advice

We have been doing ABA with PEACH for about three years and have found them to be excellent

Sorry four years! Where does the time go!

Depends where you are. i know good independent person in Essex if that's any good?

He is 2.7 and pretty much non verbal (a few echolalic words), no motor issues (very agile and fine motor control very good), communicative in terms of pulling you, pushing you, bringing you things. putting your hands on things etc but not in words. Understands a lot more than he says (commands etc).

Pipin, havin looked at UKYAP website I don't think I would be able to afford that, and I possibly need a more felxible programme. Thnaks for the tip about the BCBA site.

We are going to a PEACH introductory workshop next week, hope to learn more there and keeping an open mind!

Cansu, would the Essex person consult to a programme in north London do you think?

How did you get UKYAP at 5k per year, ther website says 45k???

PipinJo

From the small amount of information, and lack of discussion on all MN ABA threads with regard to the methods of provision being used I would not go no anywhere near ABA as it currently described on MN. It appears to be a complete sham, all marketing and very little scientific research, by that I mean randomised control trials not program providers promotional research.
But I am aware of the usefulness of PECS and other support programs which have their roots in ABA philosophy.
Following on from a post of yours in another thread, i was wondering if you had seen this. What is BCBA? anyway?

Dolfrog. You know as well as I that the cambridge university autism website holds up EIBI as the most effective treatment for autism.

I don't know why you continue with your personal plight against people who advocate for it. You have had an invitation from me to view my ds' programme, an invitation from Moondog, and NHS HCP and publisher of peer reviewed research to attend her education session. But instead you prefer to bully posters on here into fitting into your box of assumptions.

Why?

Pls Good BCBA needed
Hi I am looking for a good BCBA well experienced with Asperger's/ hfa for my four and half year old DS.
Any suggestion please. Please PM me if needed.
Would North Wales would be any good in setting up home based ABA program or whether one has to be around London to find good tutors?

Skybound (in Wales) is fab