We used a VBA approach and saw minimal progress -- BUT it was only 3 hours a day and the ratio was 6 children to one teacher and an aid.
We have recently started
I think the key is the 1:1 approach and a very reputable program.
I wanted to create a discussion (if it has yet to be discussed) for the parents who have had their children in either the ABA approach to Verbal Behavior therapy or have had their children go to a Speech Language Pathologist.
I am extremely interested in hearing which approach was more benefical to your child and why. Especially to those who have had their children in both types of therapies.
I am hoping to gain some insight so that I may make a concise decision as to assist me in making my future career choice.
I have been working in the field of ABA for 7 years and I am more specifically interested in communicative disorders to specialize in early intervention with children with autism.
I would be most grateful to hear your stories... the good and the bad concerning VB/ABA vs. SLP.
Thanks for Caring
My boys are in both. both have been extremely beneficial and insurance pays for both, so we will stick with it. The SP uses a floortime approach. It has had multiple benefits. She doesn't sit on the floor and have them repeat sounds. It is in conjunction with the OT, they do it together, and it takes a complete an obstacle course type approach. Then they work on art projects, stop and go type things, and a list of other things. They love love love it. I suspect eventually they will get more into pragmatics and pronunciation once they are more cooperative. They are not ready for that yet. They have done well, but for children who are just starting to really communicate, I don't think it would be enough by itself. The ABA/VBA has facilitated this much much better. The boys don't really have many behavioral issues anymore, he works almost exclusively on VBA. If communication wasn't a problem, the path would be perfect and all they would need. But for my children at least where communication has been a problem and the DESIRE to communicate really wasn't there until now, the ABA/VBA has made a huge difference in that in a short amount of time. If I had to choose one or the other, I would probably pick the ABA/VBA. Or I would pick a speech path with an ABA type approach. But I love this woman, she has helped them in another area, learning to trust a therapist again (they have had bad experiences in the past). Its been a great combo. But I think the VBA's approach has been more successful in the communication area.I did however mention that during my college career I am well versed in ABA as well as VB. I am not a CBA... though a CABA... just dont have the masters degree.
Sounds like the education I having a grasp on ABA/VB would work well along with SLP
With SLP both Rozie and Ozzie had limited success. The SLP just had difficulty getting them to participate and focus. The SLP was just unable to get them to sit at the table without seemingly forcing them which put the session down the tubes. For my youngest kids the problem has been joint attention, imitation etc. Our sessions were 30 minutes/kid once a week and often only a few minutes (2-3) were actual interaction or compliance. I'm not sure if our SLP's were specifically trained in ASD behaviours but they didn't seem like they were operating with real know how in the ASD area. The SLP for me, was more consultive and would give me the hand out of things to do throughout the week and then come back and tell them how it went.
The ABA/VB knew how to manage the unwanted behaviours aloofness, noncompliance etc and they got cooperation. They provide the therapy over a longer period and perform more repetitions because the sessions are at least 2 hrs - twice a day. They also come into our children's environment instead of us taking the children into their's which lessens the transition etc.
To me, it would depend were a child's at ASD wise and their level of imitation, joint atttention etc. Unlike the pp's children R & O wouldn't "do" art projects.
So it sounds as if the majority of you have had better progress with the VB/ABA approach.
Like I have mentioned, I am well versed in ABA and currently hold a BCABA. I was undecided in which path to take but from the sound of it if an SLP knows behaviorism therapy should be fairly successful. I also plan to get a certificate of completion (assuming I enroll in the SLP grad program) in autism. Though there is also a track in autism through the school I am considering enrolling in. So either way it seems like both programs offer what I am looking for.
thanks so much for all your responses thus far.
I don't have experience with VB yet, so can't tell about which is more beneficial, but I do know that around here (Texas) SLP's are in big demand. I've been trying to find one for a month or two with no success.