Are all ABA providers of the same standard?

[Laurajay84]

We're fairly new to the world of ASD and ABA. Having had an informal assessment with a major ABA provider last week, we are slightly confused about what to do. The provider we spoke to has an excellent reputation, although seems (very, very, very) expensive and told us that they currently have a waiting list. We are very keen to get started ASAP and asked about the possibility of starting with another consultant or organisation until they have a space available.

They said it was a possibility but said that is wasn't a preferred choice as 'the other providers in this country don't have the same standards' as them. If we went down that path then we would be wasting our money as as soon as our child transferred to ABA with them he would have a regression at having to start again.

So confused at what to do. Want to wait for this provider, which is very close in location to us but gulping at the costs and anxious about spending another 6 months waiting whilst we could have started elsewhere.

Any advice would be much appreciated...

Is there any reason you can't talk to other consultants and see what they could offer you? You never know there may be someone else you like. Also in starting a programme if you end up looking for tutors, you might be waiting a few months to find someone. In terms of standards, there is probably some variation (and people will have views for and against consultants) but also different people better for different kids iyswim. If you're looking at a big provider I am sure they can provide you with some references etc.

I would be very of a very expensive provider that doesn't even have availability and discourages you from using other providers. Fees vary but some are more expensive than others and some have fees out of this world. you didn't speak to AP by any chance.

I would certainly look into a few other providers and don't just go with the first.

I woke start if I were you. We started ABA with 3 yo DS about seven months ago. He has made amazing progress. I can't imagine how I would feel now, had I not been feeling that I was doing something to help him, and also we would have been six months behind where we are now in terms of his programmes and progress.

Just to be clear, this provider didn't discourage us from starting elsewhere, however they did more or less say that no other ABA provider in this country matched their standards. If we're going to pay an obscene amount of money then I want to make sure it's the best we can get for our child.

So confused...it's so difficult to compare places when you don't really know what you're looking for.

We were looking at another independent consultant, however it would have meant hiring our own tutors/therapists and to be honest I just wouldn't know where to start...

Is this Autism Partnership? My friend saw them in October and they said they would start therapy with her daughter in May due to long waiting lists! The lady she saw definitely banged on about how they were the best providers world wide but she said that she should see other providers who are good too until her daughter starts with them in May. She literally said don't wait as its you will be missing out on crucial therapy, start with others then come may carry on us with us. I think she recommended peach.org.co.uk as a good provider.

Also ABA blooming tree in Acton is meant to be really good, good luck X

It's a long time since I was interviewing ABA providers/consultants (dd1 is 11 now, we started ABA when she was 3)

My advice wou,d be: talk to a few providers/consultants. Make sure you are completely comfortable with whoever you choose.

Don't be blinded by claims of who is best/has highest standards. The best fit for you and your child is someone/a set up you feel most comfortable with.

This could be in terms of who you use as consultant, or amount of hours/how they spare delivered etc. go with your gut.

We did things our way - found a consultant we were comfort able with, and started up doing only 15 hours a week, using just one tutor. It was what worked for us, as a family, as well as for dd1. It was fine, and worked well.

See some others. Start as soon as you can and remember you can always change providers if you are unhappy. It costs a lot of money but some charge much more than others and I am not sure that necessarily equals a better outcome.

I think if you meet some others you will get a good gut feeling about whether it will work.

Our costs are eye watering - for just 12 hours a week. The problem is we just could not find any other tutors/consultants with availability. I'd be interested to know what the costs are like in US where it is accepted as the go-to intervention.
If you can get find an alternative I would start - you'll know pretty quickly if they are effective.

Have you been on the BCBA website to try and find consultants local to you? They should be able to let you speak to other families they work with and may already have possible tutors. Also try the ABA Yahoo group and ABA4All Facebook page for recommendations.

The Caudwell charity give grants of £2000 towards ABA if you meet their income criteria.

I would also recommend a book by Robert Schramm called Motivation & Reinforcement as a good introduction to ABA.

It may be that you can do some ABA tutoring yourself when you start out. I did and we only had a tutor for 3 hours per week initially although we now run a full time program. Even though we weren't running a 'proper' program initially, I found that using ABA techniques really helped me to interact with my DS and also gave me the feeling that I was doing something useful.

We are on our third consultant now (the others had moved away) and she personally works with our DS every fortnight which I find much better than consultants who only see your child every 4-6 weeks as she knows him better and has a better idea of how programs are doing.

Good luck.