George and Sam - brilliant

[heartinthecountry]

I'm sure there have been past threads about this but I just wanted to say that I have just finished reading George and Sam and I would recommend it as compulsory reading for everyone, let alone anyone who has a connection with autism or SN.

I think Charlotte Moore is inspirational. It was clear that she has accepted the 'otherness' of her sons absolutely, and that any interventions are used to make it easier for them to 'be' rather than to 'cure' them or change them. I think we all have a lot to learn from that.

Ha!!! Well the ed psych said she would be very interested to see that in the local paper. But then wrote a very pro-ABA report, astonishingly.
Where do you live?

South East London, in a borough where, someone told me recently, nobody has EVER received funding for ABA. I wonder if there's a way of checking that? Interesting that ed psych was one who recommended for you, don't think a psych is going to be involved in our dx. So stripping off may still be viable option.......

ABA strip! Yeah! Well in my borough (Brighton and Hove) other parents had done the hard work for me and set a precedent so it was MUCH easier for me. But it takes one parent in a borough to take their LEA to tribunal...
Where are you in the process? Have you asked for your DS to be statemented?
I think that an ed psych will be involved then?

I bet you a pound to a pinch of s**t that ABA has been funded in that borough, people always tell you that. I shouldn't be touting for business, but have you joined ABA-UK? You would get the answer there.

Thanks Davros - I tried to join that group recently, but you have to be implementing an ABA programme to join.....

Jakbrown, can't be statemented until we have dx (I think?), which doesn't happen until January. OK, see how ed psych fits in, makes sense now that you say it.

Still think I should dust off my oldest, greyest, no-elastic pair of maternity pants, just in case a bit of disrobing is required....

Beccaboo - dd's statement says that she has "speech and language difficulties" so I don't think you need a firm diagnosis for a statement at all

Yes, I didn't think you needed definite dx.

Thomcat,
Just found ed psych's report.
This is an edited list of dd's 'needs'...

To develop behavioural synchrony and recipocity leading to social interactions
To develop the ability to control and sustain a focus of attention outside of her without being distracted by her inner thoughts
To learn how to make choices and gain some control over her environment
To develop her fine and gross motor co-ordination and control
To develop the ability to interact with the environment- eg: through cause and effect toys and activities adn switches with intention
To develop her ability to perceive through her senses especially touch, vision and hearing
To develop the ability to interact with people
To learn how to cope with and adjust with peers
To be stimulated by taking part in simple activities and eventually imitating new ones
To develop the ability to play with toys in order to discover their properties
To develop the ability to do things for herself- toileting, bathing etc
To develop eye contact, eventually joint attention and a shared focus of attention
To develop the ability to communicate her needs eith others using grunts and cries, facial expressiona and gesture, picture exchange, signing and possibly words
To develop listening skills
To learn how to follow simple instructions

She recommended 'highly structured small steps programme of learning with opportunity for abundant rewards, eye contact, praise and physical and food rewards (ie:ABA!)
High ration of adults to children
Speech and Language input
OT input
Art therapy
A supportive and caring environment where her vulnerability and needs to be safe, healthy and cared for are respected...

This is obviously for dd who's autistic but the language she uses is interesting. Hope this helps!!!! Am looking for statement (?!). Can't believe I can't find it.
X

Lost the plot- this is for beccaboo but Thomcat may find interesting too?

Thanks Jakbrown and blossomhill, that's really useful - I've printed this thread, I'm going to talk to LEA about statementing process. Will let you know if any success or if pants plan will have to be actioned. Actually, think I'm a little too interested in the pants idea, need to examine own motives.

Hope both your dd's are doing well. x

beccaboo- I joined ABA-UK before starting up our part time programme. I think they're just careful to keep ABA bashers off the list.

I reckon if you tried ABA-UK again you'd be able to join PEACH can also tell you if ABA has been funded in your area/LEA.

I've been waiting to be approved for ABA-UK for ages!

You'll have to reapply Jak but you would be eligible to join now anyway as you are committed to ABA. The idea is to prevent people joining who want to find out about ABA or want general info and may then go on to choose something else and, as Jimjams says, to try to keep out anyone hostile.

Ah! OK, will re-apply.

Message withdrawn

Beccaboo, well you could always go for the pants idea too. Big knickers are very in at the moment. Bound to make the local paper!!!

Watch this space............

Hi Socci, yes we're fine thanks, hope you and your dd are doing well? I can't tell you much about ABA as only finding out about it myself....but there are several people here who are using it, I know jimjams and davros are, and jakbrown too, so hopefully they'll be able to fill you in. I think ABA is also called Lovaas, maybe your doctor knows it as this?

Beccaboo - thanks for asking. Dd is fine, it's me that's all over the place
No, seriously I am finding it all a bit hard to take in again. Just feel really sad but don't know why (it's that cliche of the "emotional rollercoaster!)
Good luck with the statementing by the way. A statement really does open doors as it is a legal document.

For info on ABA look at www.peach.org.uk
ABA stands for Applied Behavioural Analysis and I'd be very surprised if any Drs had not heard of that or a version of it e.g. Behaviour Modification or Behavioural Analysis.
One ABA method is Lovaas but there are a number of others including VB (verbal behaviour), DI (Direct Instruction), CABAS (can't remember what it stands for!), Autism Partnership is an organisation with a good reputation that has its own version......