Evidence ABA works for statement and more...

[boobybum]

Hello, we have just started the process of getting our son's statement. He will definitely get one but the issue is that we want ABA in it. He currently attends a specialist autism nursery and we have recently started an ABA program. Here are a few questions:

1. How can we evidence that it is the ABA that makes a difference rather than the LA just saying that it is the specialist nursery that is helping him?
2. Has anyone got a specialist school AND ABA? He will more than likely get a place in the specialist school next September but we are really unsure that it's the right thing for him BUT we are also terrified that mainstream wouldn't be right either! Is there anyway we could get the best of all worlds?
3. Does anyone have dual school places or home educate part time and if so, how is it? It is especially difficult as he is an August baby so will still be very little when he starts school, which brings me to question
4. Has anyone held their DC back a year? Does this just mean they miss reception or can you permanently keep them back? I realise I am asking a lot of questions here but just wanted to ask them all in one go as there may be quite a lot of overlap in the answers. Lastly please bear in mind that the whole statement process is new to me so can you try and keep it simple as I've seen some other statement threads that seem quite technical. Also I'm still suffering with mumnesia/general stupidity from birth of DC4-I'm convinced that all her breastfeeding is somehow sucking my brain cells out!

I had a similar situation but could prove that autism specialistnursery with no ABA = zero progress in 6 months; autism nursery + part time ABA = amazing progress. Ergo ABA made the difference. It is harder now though And depends on your LA.

I later did flexischooling - mornings at ms with ABA LSA, afternoons home ABA. It was the perfect mix for my boy when younger.

But it will be a fight to get it and you may need legal help.

Good luck!

Oh and yes idid also get year delay.he started i nursery but a year older

This is a very useful link too Manish - by an eminent Professor, outlining the evidence for ABA

autism-and-evidence-4-does-aba-work-for.html

Sorry, here

profhastings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/autism-and-evidence-4-does-aba-work-for.html

Nice blog by the way, and nice too that you are offering to help parents at no charge!

Interestingly there are 2 pieces of media coming up re ABA - a BBC4 documentary and a Sunday Times magazine article. Both are due in November and both are, I hope, going to be broadly positive. Hopefully things might start changing, if mainstream media like this are taking n interest...

1. By working as much as possible on separate targets and setting SMART ieps at nursery which can be measured.
2. Yes you can ask for ABA programme partly delivered on mainstream and ditch the SS part. You have a legal right to mainstream and can argue ABA is the necessary step to your child accessing mainstream. They can only refuse this on grounds inefficient use of resources
3. DS has 35 hours per week ABA 48 weeks a year of which about 12.5 is in school but supported by ABA staff

The rest is a home programme. The ABA works well the school is hit and miss which makes me pleased we don't rely on school for his learning. The mainstream kids are fantastic with him and great resource

1. No but he started 7.5 hours in school (3 half days) in reception and in year 2 is now 6 half days and we only increased when he was ready and there wa a benefit over 1/1.

We won at tribunal but were not up against SS only a mainstream package.

Actually someone at Peach has done a very good summary of ABA research - read on at end of the table.

Good to add in an appendix for tribunals i reckon

www.peach.org.uk/index.php/about-aba/references/