Do you think ABA is a good treatment for Autism?

[Onesieone]

My some is on the spectrum and we have been having private SALT (because the NHS' offerings are pitiful in my area) our therapist is dead against ABA and says it would turn my son into a robot.
I have been reading about it and I think I'd rather my son was an Independant thinker who made informed decisions and knew why it was acceptable/unacceptable to behave in a way. Rather that just doing something because he has practiced it.
What is your experience/opinion?

It hasn't turned my DD into a robot but has taught her valuable skills like waiting, communicating and imitation.

I have found ABA very effective, and was also told the "robot" stuff by a SALT. It just wasn't true.

It has allowed DD to progress in school after she didn't for years. With only 2 ir 3 hours a week.

Oh dear. It seems I may have been too quick to dismiss this.

It's never too late to start..DD was 6 when we started.

The prejudice against ABA is truly unbelievable. And immoral, as it is the only evidence-based treatment for autism.

SALT alone would never have helped my son one iota because he needed someone who understood how to motivate him to speak (and learn, and imitate, and play, and all his self-help skills), not someone who worked solely with the mechanics of speech production.

ABA has transformed my son into a child who now knows how to make sense of the world. Beforehand he was scared and confused, and well, just lost. Speech is only one part of how his life has improved beyond all recognition. Ours too!

I do remember our SALT telling me ABA would get ds talking like a robot. At that point he was having constant meltdowns, frustrated and angry and scared. I told her I would rather he spoke like Daffy Duck rather than not ever speak at all!

ABA gave him the tools to learn (that's all it aims to do!) and he is a million times happier for it.

I'm a SALT and my qualification in ABA is the most useful and effective addition to my repertoire that I have ever come across in nearly 20 years in practice. SALOTs unfortunately have very little understanding or knowledge of ABA by and large. It has a much larger evidence base than SALT for kids with SD.

The more severe the ASD, the less useful SALT is, because SALTS don't generally understand how to analyse and employ strategies that engage nd motivate a child who will not co-operate because praise or social approval mean little to him/her.

It infuriates me to hear of professionals telling untruths about solid data driven evidence based practice of the kind that all children have a legal and moral right to.

I've seen our SALT using ABA/VB type techniques very effectively with DS2 to push the boundaries of what he can and will do, in terms of communication and interaction. And play.

ABA has turned me form being a trying very hard but really rather run of the mill salt to being a really good one. Nowt to do with my personal talents. All to do with having grasped that there is a science to how people acquire and maintain new skills.

I wake every day, thrilled and amazed at the power I have in my hands to help kids really learn.
It is fantastic.

SALTS don't generally understand how to analyse and employ strategies that engage nd motivate a child who will not co-operate because praise or social approval mean little to him/her.

I think I'm very fortunate to have an NHS team who can do this with DS2. it's a shame they're so under-resourced. (Also lucky he has a 1:1 who can relate to him and carry on the work between SALT visits and tell people off who undermine it).

You are lucky Ouryve.
I would stress that of course all professionals will try to analyse behaviours and motivate children, many simply can't because they don't possess the skills.

What cantquitebelieveit said, to a tee.

As she said, motivation is absolutely key. Without that, no teaching can happen. ABA (done properly) unlocks motivation and enables teaching of skills. For my ds, that meant skills in how to interact, how to communicate, how to play, independence, social skills, self-help, how to join in, how to share, how to accept new things, how to express his feelings, how to break out of a rigid narrow pattern... and as CQBI says, he is a thousand times happier.

"turn him into a robot" < what a load of absolute rubbish. The ignorance and prejudice against ABA is astounding and dangerous

Someone once said to me "oooh you can't do ABA, it's a long commitment and you'll have to do it for ever". Erm, well yes, but then my ds's autism will last forever won't it (Also is rubbish that you have to do a formal programme forever, it just becomes a natural way of parenting.)

ABA is the only evidence-based intervention for ASD, please take it seriously and look into it in detail. The "robot" nonsense is a laughable myth. Take a look at us on:
www.facebook.com/ABAforallchildren

Nothing more to add.. After a year'a ABA my daughter is now ready to do SLT therapy sessions that were offered to her 2-3 yrs ago.

ABA has been the only intervention which has worked for dd1. She has severe ASD, although these days it seems a lot more moderate than severe, thaks to ABA.

She was so severe, that when she was 4 (after 18 months of 1:1 support at preschool, and a year in a specialist ASD placement) we were told that she would probably never be able to learn anythig much (such was her non-responsiveness and the degree to which she was closed off from the rest of the world).

We knew that was bollocks, adn no way were we going to write her off like that.

She is 9 now, and has been in an ABA school since shortly after we removed her from the above placement (who clearly had given up on her). She is doing fantastically. She can now read and write (reading at about ORT level 5, spelling ability is close to my dd2's, who is in year 2), and hold short, clear conversations.

She is as far from robotic as you cojuld imagine, tbh. she certainly has her own opinion on things, and doesn't just take in what is taught as gospel!

ABA is the method by which she learns. what she learns (and the quality of it) is down to the quality of ABA she receives. Which is fantastic (and I hope she can remain in her school through secondary).

It is defintetly worth questionning the quality of ABA provision - there are some shocking examples of programmes out there. But ABA itself? it's just a teaching method (and a highly effective one if used correctly)

how can you do something unless you have practised it?

Is Jules Holland a robot?

Just do it one

It will be a bit expensive but I found a few very flexible consultants who will try and teach you as much as possible so that you do t have to have a lot of tutors.

Look into it as soon as possible

I totally agree with cantbelieveit my daughter seems confused a lot of the times, unfortunately SALT won't be able to help her with her social skills.