More ABA

[springgreens]

Hello All,

I'm new to mumsnet and have just posted a longer message, but it doesn't appear to have worked. Apologies if I've posted twice.

Has anyone from Kent had experience of running a home programme on a low income?

Thanks for your time

exactly how we've had to teach everything.

It was very noticeable at xmas. DS2 was hanging stuff on the tree- ds1 would pick up a bauble and hold it ext to the tree then let go (then freak when it fell on the floor). He had no idea that you have to hang it, I figured he couldn't even perceive what we were doing iyswim.

I remember teaching ds1 to drink out of a beaker hand over hand when he was almost 18 months old. UNitl having ds2 I had no idea that children just do that sort of thing.

DD still can't use a spoon. We're hand over handing. Just doesn't get it. Holds it limply and drops it. Getting better though! Spent months before she got a DX 'showing' her how to do cause and effect toys. HA!!!!! She would just look at me blankly and drop the ball or whatever as if to say, what the hell are you on about?!

What I meant about mirror is that some people tie themselves up in knots trying to use the opposite hand/arm to what is natural so the child is seeing the corresponding side for them to use iyswim. I have never found one though who finds it difficult if they see the other side being modelled, they still use the side that works best for them. Goblidgook message!

JakB Would be fantastic if I could ring you. Did you get my CAT?

I have just found the info on the programme in Bexley. It is called PACTS (Parents of Autistic Children - Training and Support). OK, so the following actually sounds very good. But iirc, the message that came across very clearly was that it had been put together originally purely to combat ABA programs. Although it has a lot going for it, there is a huge expectation of what parents can/will do and the actual number of hours offered and support is much more minimal than it sounds. It also seems to be very much aimed at Inclusion at all costs. As I said before, I found the two women who made the presentation very unpleasant and arrogant, plus particularly dismissive about ABA. If anyone in Kent wants to do ABA then they'd need to be aware of this programme before they try to get funding (if its still going as this was Oct 2003).

It says:

PACTS is a home based, early intervention programme for pre-school children aged 2.5 years to 4 years and their parents. It is designed for children with a dx of ASD or strong indication of ASD. The programme was piloted in October 1998 and devesed by the Bexley Educational Psychology and Assessment Service.

It goes on to state that is uses a range of strategies from interventions including ABA, TEACCH (spelt wrong!), PECs, Hanen.

The programme consists of:

• 5 day introductory workshop for parents
• up to (note UP TO) 4 teaching sessions per week from trained tutors
• access to and liaison with nursery placement at the appropriate time
• planned transition into reception at the end of the programme

Parents are required to:

• atttend one week workshop
• provide, as far as possible, a suitable teaching environment
• endeavour to put into practice the skills acquired through training
• work with their support team towards the best outcome for their child

It says that progress is reviewed and this is a high priority. It says that the programme has been part of a research project at UCL to evaluate various interventions. It doesn't say the outcome.