ABA or similar for Aspergers child?

[luckylady74]

I know lots of mums have experience with their autistic children of using lovass and so on. My ds1 is 4 and started school last week. He has been fine, but his teacher has already voiced concerns over how to get him to access the academic work because it's very hard to lead or motivate him.
He hasn't any interests as such bar supermarkets and mooches/fiddles a lot. He hasn't responded to reading(bar logos!) or numbers and his pro-noun reversal / echolalia get in the way of much meaningful communication. His fine motor skills are poor too. At home he has frequent melt downs and can be aggressive.
Would an aba programme help - is it appropriate for aspergers?
Also(?) my 24 mth ds2 appears nt in every way except he has the same pronoun reversal and echoes too - is this normal in an an nt child or should i be concerned?
Any advice gratefulll received - feel i've read so many books I can't think straight!

luckylady74,

Was wondering if your DS has a Statement. To my mind no statement = no support at school.

If he does not have a Statement I would seriously consider applying to the LEA for such a document to help him at school. You can readily do this as the parent, certainly do not rely on school to apply for it. You as the parent can appeal if the LEA refuse the statement request, the school cannot. A Statement is legally binding and will give him extra support in terms of a set number of hours per week.

IPSEA are very good at the whole statementing process and there are model letters you can use:-

www.ipsea.org.uk

My Ds1 who is NT had a phase of pronoun reversal at the age of 2 also. I think it is normal. I don't remember that he echoed but I have read that is a normal developmental stage too.

We are doing RDI (relationship development intervention) with Ds2 who has some autistic type tendencies but also learning difficulties. I haven't experience of ABA so I can't comment on that, but I would think that RDI might help your son with the problems you describe. Google RDI connect.

I agree with Socci. People often think that their child "isn't severe enough" for ABA but that is a misunderstanding. I have known several HFA/AS children with little or no learning disability have fulltime ABA programs which have been very successful. You would get to the school integration and shadowing issue quicker too.

atilla no statement - all professionals say no need and notts( where we live) only do it if they need special school and the school have just applied for help. however, beginning to have huge doubts about this because of what you and other mnetters say.
he has an inclusion officer for 1 hour per week and she really helped his transition to school, but when i asked she dismissed statementing as pointless and expensive.
saker - thanks heart dropped when ds2 reversed you! Will look up rdi now
socci and davros - you said what i meant more succinctly thanks - where do i start in terms of finding trained tutors in my area?

hi socci - i think i meant consultant rather than tutor - i've been googling away and come up with lots of people in the south and nobody in the midlands, but i'll ring the local nas tomorrow. Thank you for the advice on tutors I'll do that when it comes to it. As with most things i'm coming from a level of complete ignorance and finding this a steep learning curve. Thank goodness for mumsnet!

Hi Luckylady

You do realise of course that the LEA are acting illegally if they are actively pursuing such a policy.

I would certainly not rely on school, what sort of help have they actually applied for?. If they have applied for a statement for your DS and the LEA say no then they cannot appeal. Any request for a statement needs to come from you - you can appeal their decision if they say no.

This child's only getting one hour of support a week - this is totally unacceptable given his level of difficulties. He is being failed by a system that is supposed to be helping him as well as you!!!.

Do not let tales of expense put you off (this tactic is designed to stop parents applying); this is your child and as such you are his best - and only - advocate.

IPSEA are very good when it comes to such matters and I would sterongly suggest you have a look at their website and contact their helpline. Their web address is www.ipsea.org.uk.

I think RDI would be more useful for AS to be honest- although someone with more experience of ABA at the higher functioing end may know better.

At 24 months echoes and pronoun reversal are normal.....(and remember he may be copying as well)

I would advise to find other local ABA families, either via ABA-UK Yahoo Group, via Peach (joining is a must), local NAS branch or any other local groups. Contact with other families is fantastic so you can share tutors and costs if consultant not local. I'm sure Peach have Consultants/supervisors all over the country. As suggested also advertise at local unis/colleges and other places such as CDC. Be quite open about who could work as a tutor, often personality and potential is better than experience although experience is also good! We "created" most of our best tutors from people with potential and interest. Good luck!