All those runnin ABA programmes

[staryeyed]

We had a first assessment today for ABA. Feel really weird about it. Was not as I was expecting and now I dont know what to think.

It wasnt very structured and Ds found it very frustrating. I now have mixed feelings. Can some of you share your experiences of ABA start up with me so I can compare and see if Im being silly or not.

This thread has made me wish that there were more local support networks for people running ABA programmes (and other therapies as well). It would be great if we could contact other people locally and go and observe their programmes etc. I'm sure some places do this - but not round here (Somerset), as far as I know.

We've set up something (supposedly) round here- 2 friends really who are running full time programmes. We've set it up under the Treating Autism banner- and just say meetings are open to anyone doing any sort of intervention at all whether biomed, ABA, RDi, Son-rise, whatever...... It hasn't really got off the ground yet but hopefully will do soon.

Maybe I could do the same thing round here - the DS's school is about to open a swanky new children's centre in March and they're actively seeking users. How would I go about contacting people doing programmes though? I only know of one other (and that's only because one of DS2's tutors has just started working for them). I struggle to find people who've even HEARD of ABA here!

Sorry Staryeyed - this is a bit of a hijack .

Hi, I'm sorry to hear you have been having sleepless nights about this. I know the feeling!

I think you should give it some more time so that you can judge if it is working out or not. My DS (3.9 years) started ABA style therapy three months ago. He gets 15 hours a week at a local mainstream nursery which is running an experimental scheme to see if they can help ASD children. It is not very intensive or rigorous as some ABA schemes may be but it is ideal for him as he has made a lot of progress since starting there. For the first week, the only expectation was that he should sit at the table for a minute and hopefully make some eye contact. It does sound as if your tutor was expecting a lot compared to that but as someone else said, that may be because it was an assessment session. My DS could say a handful of communicative words when he started the therapy so the work has been directed at expanding his vocabulary and helping him to use language usefully. When he was completely non verbal ( 2.6 years) , we did try to introduce PECS but after 3 sessions, we felt it was going nowhere as although he liked looking at the pictures, he was oblivious to the process of exchanging them. In retrospect, it was partly that the tutor lacked experience but also he was just not ready to communicate because of his developmental delay.

Moira

I agree, prompting and reinforcement are SO critical! Mind you, I still think that you are going to have to tolerate some resistance from your DS otherwise you wouldn't be doing this would you? It is very typical to experience resistance at first and tutors have to be committed enough to see it through to the point where your DS realises that he can do something and will get R+. If everyone avoids resistance and pussyfoots round getting compliance then it will all be very nice but won't go anywhere. The resistance doesn't usually last long and you will be amazed once its over just how quick it was and how it is worth seeing it through. Getting compliance and "learning to learn" and critical and don't come naturally to our children, they need to be taught this by the behaviour of the adult(s) teaching them. It shouldn't be torture for the child and will become more and more fun, but the beginning can be quite anxiety-provoking for parents. I know many tutors and soooo many have problems with over anxious parents rushing in and snatching up the child, not allowing the tutor to work through resistance.

I understand what you mean Davros but my Ds is surprisingly compliant especially in the right situation. The only time he isnt is when he doesnt understand what is being asked of him or he is anxious about the people around him (Well sometimes he is just difficult), but most of the time he is compliant. I get very far with him by using techniques like making deals or just making it fun. He is willing to learn.

Well we had a session today. I kept an open mind and it was really good. I was thinking of cancelling because ds is feeling under the weather. Im so glad I didnt. She got so much out of him today. She gave me a list for reinforcers and used reinforcers through the session. My Ds actually did have fun despite his cold and he was very cooperative. She didnt force the issue with making him sign, Its as if she's read this thread . So I think it must have just been an off day/teething problems and I feel very happy about continuing.

Hurray Staryeyed! So pleased things went well [smile}.

electra, I think your Consultant has a very good point. DS always hated VI. We also dropped Mastery Criteria (which lots of people did) and didn't ever use the word "no". Staryeyed, so glad it went well. I would advise to resist the temptation to cancel unless absolutely necessary, YOU need to get used to it too. Even if your DS is not feeling great, a couple of hours of activity etc can do the world of good and you can always get something out of it.