ABA / Social Skills Training

[greenparrots]

Does anybody have any experience of the above for an older child (age 10), HFA.

All of the ABA things I read are for younger children but the approach of breaking something challenging into little micro steps to be taught makes a lot of sense.

He’s fine at home but in peer situations often doesn’t compromise, over-reacts, doesn’t find it easy to join in then gets upset. Following teacher’s instructions can also be a challenge.

Language-wise he is funny, understands idiom, sarcasm etc. can hold a back and forth conversation, good eye contact etc. but it’s these social interactions that probably have loads of micro skills making them up that he needs to be “taught”. But how? By whom?

Academically fine.

We’ve had one disappointing experience with an OT who essentially played board games with him (he was very happy, I was just seeing the £££). I don’t think OT is really the right port of call.

We are in SW London / Surrey

SALT and (a different) OT will help with social skills.

Thank you, @JustKeepBuilding

Have you any suggestions as to how I go about finding a SLT who can help?

Hopefully maybe somebody will have been through this before.

I'm wary of spending another few hundred £ on the process where I fill in loads of forms and then find the "therapy" is great fun for him, but really not teaching / training up skills.

Depending on exactly what you want Helen Pearson, Libby Hill, Juanita Hurley, Jackie Harland are all well thought of, but it isn’t going to be a quick process.

Have you considered applying for an EHCNA? SALT and OT can be part of an EHCP.

Thank you, am looking them all up :-)

I am pretty pessimistic about getting any "good" help via the Council and school. All well meaning but not impressive.

A good EHCP can provide just as much support as independent provision. It might take an appeal to get such support but, imo, it’s worth it. I have 2 DC who receive multiple therapies via their EHCPs, just as good provision as if we self funded it.