19 month old diagnosed with ASD - what therapies?

[Hedger]

My 19 month old DS got diagnosed with ASD yesterday and I want to know what therapies I can set up to help him. Does anyone have any advice/suggestions?

His main problem is a lack of communication - verbal and non-verbal. His behaviour is otherwise fine and he doesn't have any sensory issues.

We are lucky enough to be able to afford to put in place a programme of private treatments for him but I'm not sure what would be best? SALT and/or ABA (and how much of each)? Anything else?

We are hoping to get him into a special needs nursery when he is two but I don't want to lose any time now.

Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks.

Oh hedger this dx came quickly (and early). I remember talking to you on another thread.

Salt did not do a lot for my Dd. I would really recommend that you look into Aba (though we were dx and started ABA when Dd was almost 4).

Thanks choc. Yes, I was a little surprised how quickly it came (and how sure the doctor was!) but I'm mainly relieved to know for sure.

Can I ask about your ABA programme? Who was your consultant/how did you find tutors/how many hours a week did you have, etc.?

We only ever did a home programm (about 15h) with autism partnership and their tutors for some of the hours (and me doing the rest - to keep cost down).

Suppose it depends where you are. We are up far away from london in an Aba desert :-/

Have you heard of the yahoo Aba group?

I would also recommend ABA. If you want a consultant then try searching on the BCBA website and you can find tutors through them or try the ABA Yahoo group or contacting your local uni for students to train up. Bangor Uni also run a Masters in behavioural analysis and the students live all over the UK so it might be worth contacting them. I know others have recruited friends as tutors or used Gumtree or nannying websites to find people.
You can of course apply the principles yourself and I would recommend a book by Robert Schramm called 'Motivation and Reinforcement' as a good starter.

VB Community forum is quite good for finding tutors/consultants too. They post if they have vacancies and you can post too with your requirements. We found our tutors that way.

Another vote for ABA, which can be v effective this early so you are in a good position

Oh wow! I did not know they diagnosed this young. I am shocked.

But anyway, prior to the ABA get in contact with your local early learning alliance team and maybe get a portage worker too.

Not sure if you have even thougt about it but apply for DLA. If you are going to fund therapy privatly it might help to foot the bill.

Hi Adrianna, yes me too! I expected her to say, looks like he has it but let's hold off until he's a bit older, but she was very definite that he does have it now. We've been referred to Early Learning too, so hopefully that will help but want to basically throw the whole kitchen sink at it and get going with the ABA straightaway.

Yes, I'll look into DLA too, thanks, Choc.

Thanks for the votes for ABA, I've been in touch with Duncan Fennemore today and he's recommended his colleague, Amanda, who apparently has worked with him for the last 15 years. Anyone know anything about her (I don't know her surname yet!)?

Another vote for aba and OT. Amanda Dalton is quite good.

I would also look at keeping a diet diary. If he is constipated or has diarrhea then you could see a gastroenterologist. Some kids on asd have that issue. Also if he restricts to only a few foods then that might mean sensory or GI issues.

Also look at statement of special education needs once you have an aba program in place.

This board is very helpful