Oh my, Allegra. That sounds scary to me. I wouldn't think it would help as much if the parents weren't involved. Our VB program requires us to be trained in the methods and i am highly involved in the programming. I spend a lot of time helping him to generalize the skills he has mastered and it is working so well. I wonder what that place is up to.
Our newly turned 4yo has Aspergers and he has 6 hours ABA per week, down from 10 hours last year.
It is at home and I am usually involved in drills such as games, conversation etc.. It has made a huge difference to our son and like others have said, it is varied and full of things such as arts and crafts, outings, games.
My son doesn't always want to do ABA but once doing it, he seems to really enjoy it. I don't have a philosophical choice about the type of therapy I want for my son. This is all that I can get that is early and intensive. Our government supplies little as he is too competent in their eyes and this is the only private therapy offered here that is externally provided, and I want an external therapist as I do the 'mum' thing.
The ABA available to me in my area is too secretive and not transparent
Allegra,
Oh my! This makes me so sad to hear your experience with ABA..almost like a cult or something! I never would of went back either!
I did my own hiring for in-home therapy and was in same room 100% of the time observing everything..if I wanted to tape anything it was my choice..I was the boss at all times:)
I never was told not learn about ABA or autism or to talk to others about it~
It was quiet the opposite..I was buying books left and right for her ABA programs and met other parents when she was in the ABA playgroup. Everything was only positive in our experience. What a shame you didnt have the same resources we did...I wish you lived near me..I'd hook you up with the right people!
Yikes Allegra! I wouldn't take my child to a place like that either. Our VB/ABA therapy is done in our home. I stay out of the way, but I can hear everything going on. There's nothing mysterious or secretive about it. Most of the time it sounds like they are playing with him. They are also happy to answer all of my questions.
ABA is the methodology of using reinforcers. It can be of varying intensities and durations depending on the need of the child.
For example using a sticker chart for completing spelling words is ABA. Allowing the child to choose a favorite tv show after cleaning their room is ABA. A dentist who lets a child post an apple picture on the wall of All Stars with their name on it after having a no cavities is using ABA. It can also be used with a non verbal child to encourrage verbal sounds. It works to change behavior using reinforcers.
Generally, bad behaviour is ignored and positive behaviour is rewarded.
What the school is talking about is the typical "delivery" of therapeutic of ABA to children who are mod-severe and even this is a misconception; what the TSS/BSC is referring to is likely Discrete Trials delivery of ABA. Now adays most GOOD ABA therapists use a cooperative approach if DT's are needed they do them at most 15 minutes/hr. Many many kids are actually happy to see their ABA therapists because they know if they do a small thing... good things happen.
The therapists generally have a goal list of 25-30 objectives to master that provides variety. As well, many many activities aren't done at the table (like is typically pictured) they work with the child on the floor, out in playground, in the gym, etc
I would request ABLLS testing and perhaps a consult with a BCBA.
I posted this back in June to give just one example of what Sarah's ABA data sheet looks like...we did 100's of them so this is a small sample:)
http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16972&am p;KW=Sarah%27s+ABA+sheet
But you can see the broad scope of things taught:)
Yes, ABA can be controlling... if you design the program that way. My son has many "compliance" programs built into his therapy and he NEEDS them. His defiance is a huge problem and he needs to learn to respond to authority figures. Would rather try to teach this now than when he is a wayward teenager! That aside, my son enjoys his therapy and it has been a positive experience. He has many fun programs intermingled with the compliance programs and the therapists are happy, smiling folks who make it fun!Friends,HI
I HAVE NEVER THOUGHT OF ABA AS BEING A SINGLE THERAPY ANYWAY
COMBINED WITH TEACCH OR SPELL IT IS A GOOD THERAPY
BUT ON ITS OWN NO I WILL NOT USE ABA AT ALL WITH MY AUTIES.
ITS TO ROBOTIC FOR MY KIDS AND BASICALLY USES THE SAME APPROACHES HAS YOU WOULD TRAINING A PUPPY
I DID THE INTRODUCTION TO ABA COURSE AND IT IS NOT ALL IT IS CRACKED UP TO BE SORRY IF OFFENCE HAS BEEN CAUSE TO PEOPLE USING ABA NONE MEANT
LOVE SHELL
http://groups.msn.com/autismaspergersinthefamily
Anthony is on the high functioning end of the spectrum and started ABA just before his 4th birthday. He has progressed alot with it and has lots of fun with it. For the past month, his ABA has included 3 supervised play dates per week. His therapists do alot of arts and crafts things with him, which he loves. ABA is not what it used to be. I often hear him laughing with his therapists. It's much more gentle than before. Perhaps they formed their opinions a long time ago.
It is controlling, more than other therapies, but its great for hf children too.
My 4yo has done very well with it. He's hf, in reg ed, good speach and has nt pals etc. He has good aba instruction and consultants. He also has little pals join in his aba sessions. I'd def reccommend it. Some kids respond very quickly to aba so its certainly worth a try.
ABA builds compliance in children. That is not the same as controlling. ABAMy youngest son does VB/ABA and I don't find it controlling. My son thinks it's fun! The therapists actually do get on the floor and play with him. Sometimes they play in the back yard or go to the neighborhood park. Yes, there is time spent at the table, but my son spends time at a table at school also. For him, it wasn't a big deal. He actually didn't start any table sessions until about 6 weeks into the start of the program. Then they eased into to it to make sure he would enjoy it. My son is able to generalize what he learns, and he is in no way, shape or form a trained puppy.
VB/ABA is the best thing we've done for our son.
Yvonne,
I have some ABA data sheets on my computer files that I can send you so you can see how much fun, play and social skills are incorporated in all the programs... we did VB/ABA all in a very natural setting..either home in all the rooms...& outside or at park or her kinderkids school..it is very expensive and that it the reason schools dont want to pay for it. If you would like to see what it looks like on paper just pm me your email address and I can send them to you..We have 3 huge notebooks of these programs~it taught her not only language but social skills, and play, extinguishing behaviors that get in the way of learning..and academics..ect..
Just let me know!