Hi, can anyone recommend an ABA consultant in the North West? Or any other early intervention stuff in the NW.

[Gillianplus3]

Hiya, I'm Looking for ABA provision around the Manchester or Cheshire area willing to take on an as yet undiagnosed 14mth old who is showing very stark signs of autism such as no social referencing or joint attention at all. He has zero interest in us other that to pull us to whatever he cannot get by himself. I know how important early intervention is so want to get in there now but Ive no idea where to start or what is good or bad.
Any information would be most welcome.

Anyone in the NW or know if there's a database where I can put in our postcode? Thank you!

Autism Partnership in Wilmslow

Thank you Agnes. I did come across them when I googled but don't know much about them other than they seem to be a large organisation. Do you know anything about them? Is there ABA a VB approach do you know?

Their website actually says they will see children as young as DS so maybe worth a call. Anything else you can recommend in the NW either ABA related or otherwise? Thanks in advance

Have you checked with PEACH?

It is also useful to post on the ABAUK Yahoo Group, that maybe the best way to reach the independent consultants.

have a friend in the NW who's been through this.

She went through PEACH. ABA tutors/consultants will travel. there are a shortage of tutors though.

INPP in Chester good for alternative stuff.

there is/was a parent led support group near Knustford called the Engine Shed or something?

David Lewis centre for severely autistic. Also the Royal School for the Deaf /Seashell trust do stuff for autistic kids and NT kids including swimming lessons. Both in Cheshire.

HTH

We use AP in Leeds
They are not that big - their website gives a distorted view of their UK operation.
Their head office has moved recently - until last year it was 3 rooms above a dentist surgery!
DS started with more traditional ABA but its now much more play based. I am not sure if it is VB or not, AP tend to develop their own curriculum in USA and then bring that over here, but i have been told it is much more play based than it used to be

We have never used anyone else - there is no-one else near us tbh. So I can't compare. But I am really happy with them. I know parents in Leeds who have used other ABA providers and been more impressed with AP. Most parents in Leeds tend to stay with them for years which I guess is a good recommendation

There is a RDI school in Oldham bright futures but I don't know much about RDI

There is abs school in Wilmslow too Highfield

Sorry not to be back sooner. Ive had a tummy bug! Thank you Para and talkwalk. Thank you again Agnes, that is useful. We are actually in Wilmslow so I will phone them today. Desperate to get started as the only interaction we seem to have is agression.
Thanks also for the other links!

Gillian,
I work in Wilmslow and I'm pretty sure the Highfield Centre is closed - when I last went past the building looked empty. Hope I'm wrong and they've just moved!

Just another thought - Ramilies Hall School in Cheadle Hulme does work with autistic kids, they have a good reputation. There is a nursery - don't know anything about that though.

Thank you, Paddingtonbear! I will look at the nursery you mentioned. We haven't really thought about schools yet. I guess we are naively hoping that starting ABA this early could yield dramatic changes but he's so closed and aggressive that I doubt it will even make a difference.
Thanks for all the links and ideas everyone !

Hi Gillian

I'm afraid I don't have any recommendations but I wanted to respond as I think we may be in the same boat as you although several months behind. My DS is 12.5 months and we have concerns re. ASD (no pointing or clapping, no signs of attachment to/affection for me or DH , very irritable, possible sensory issues and he's just stopped babbling as well). I've been looking into ABA as well (we are in London) but wasn't sure if anyone would take him on so young. Are you getting any help from the NHS (I know they won't offer ABA!)? We have an appointment at the community development clinic the week after next but I expect they will just say watch and wait .

Sorry for not being very helpful but maybe we can share any useful information as things progress? Good luck anyway.

I think you absolutely could get help for a child at 12 months old.

The VB-Mapp assessment has a section of skills that are seen in typically developing 0-18 month olds. You should be able to find a consultant that is willing to work on those targets.

The earlier the better!

Hi, ilovedietcoke! It's very stressful especially waiting. I have spoken to the people that Agnes recommends further up the thread and they have agreed to see us. They said in theory we could start straight away although they usually have a start ing age of 16mths. They said they assess each child and go from there so if his difficulties are very clear and they feel ABA will help then they'll take him on. They actually said that the noisy aggressive type of autistic child often responds to ABA much better than the very passive child. So every cloud and all that...
Oh and I think they also have offices in London.
No help from the nhs. Gp was actually quite helpful but nobody will see us or assess him yet. She said she would refer us but it's apparently a 6-9mth waiting list. We are simply not prepared to wait and gamble with his and our quality of life. I have two other kids too so am desperate to get going on something. Salt won't see us before he's 2yrs either apparently as its not considered a speech delay until then. Hope you get some info soon.

Hi, I saw your post...I don't know if it will help. My son was assessed at the highfield centre 4 yrs ago. You might still be able to contact Alison Sharland by email [email protected] or through facebook - even if the Sharland Charitable trust isnt operating / Highfield House closed - she might be able to give you some advice.

Following on from previous post...Yes the highfield centre closed due to lack of funding...there is now a planning application for the building to be converted back to a residential property. However I have found something that maybe of use to you. www.autismpartnership.co.uk/uk_services_ABA.php