Is anyone familiar with the son-rise program, or has anyone actually been to the program that can give me some real feed back? I spoke with one of the directors and am not convinced until i hear from someone non-affiliated. Seems so expensive and quite different from ABA. I would really appreciate any info on this topic.
I recently was sent some info about Sonrise but I still didn't understand just what it is they offer. It looked like corospondace schooling and from what I have heard they are able to help set up or give advise on how to set up specific teaching tools for your child.
I decided I wouldn't be able to afford it anyway so I didn't investigate further...sorry I am not a better source of help.
I haven't done Son-Rise but I have done ABA. I would just say that there is no research based evidence for Son-Rise but there is for ABA.
I am not familiar with the Son-Rise program except for visiting its website, which seemed very vague. Then I read this link that was posted on another message board and thought I would share it here:
http://members.tripod.com/RSaffran/sonrise.html
It's a pretty scary story and I, for one, will not be spending money on this program.
WOW, thank you snoopywoman, for the link to that article. I felt uneasy about the program from the beginning and after reading that i feel releived that i didn't give in. i will share this article with my (ex)mother-in-law, she is hell bent on getting us into this program.
Ask them to send the video of their program it's free. It's the story of A Savant Asd boy who's parents started this program after Dr.'s said instuionalize him. He didn't nothing at all. The parent's worked with him a lot. Today you can not tell he has asd.The center is Options institute. It is a child centered program where parents learn what to do with the child. They do give some scholarships also. A lady in Plano Tx has a school she opened using this method but she charges way to much.$ 20,000. plus therapies. It all uses the Cf/Gf method w/ organic foods only to eat. Wife spoke with her.
Ok i just read that article that snoopy posted and HOLY WOW....
That actually SCARES me. i have so many things to say but i won't cause non of it is positive. i couldn't imagine doing that kind of therapy with Zach pfffffftt....
Thanks snoopy for that link.
I went the ABA route because it is the only proven researched therapy out there with many parents having success but I am all about looking for "positive" ways in which I can help her. I read the "sonrise" book and was so happy for this boys outcome. I read about RDI and respected what it had to offer/ as well as music therapy/AIT/biomedical/diet all have some basis too. I think we should follow our hearts and find the positives in these programs and try and incorporate them with some common sense. ABA worked for my daughter..it was grueling and yes I questioned my soul many times when she was in tears from frustration doing it day after day but I never gave up hope that in the end she would overcome. It took a week of her screaming just to sit down in chair without jumping up..a week to learn "look at me " or "do this" with mountains of used kleenexes next to her
I absolutely hear you and agree. We are currently having an independent research study done. It will help on many levels, parent to get funding for it, people understanding it (de-mystifying what we do). There very much is a precision and method to what we do. Just like every therapy each child responds at different rates and to different degrees. Thanks Aaron Our kids' time is HUGELY valuable. They will 2 only once. 3 only once. Whatever programs we choose for them at a certain age is the program they GET at that age, even if money is no object. The fact is, no child can get EVERY program for the number of hours needed for that program to be effective. There are only 24 hours in a day and only 365 days in a year. We HAVE to pick and choose what will work most effectively for our particular children so as not to waste precious developmental time. In my book, I'd rather choose a program that has statistical proof that it works (as opposed to only anecdotal evidence that it works, ie. cases and testamonials) since I don't want to waste my child's time. Often, it's a choice of one program OR another, no matter how much money is available because the child life simply can't fit both. What I find horrible about "recovery" claims and "cure" claims is that they play to our most vulnerable emotions, as parents. And have you EVER heard of a totally FREE program that claims to be a "cure"? NO. Because those who claim to cure make MONEY off those claims. Which parent would say, "I don't care if my child is cured...I don't care if he recovers." That is why it's important to leaven hope with facts. Not to destroy hope but to SUPPORT it with approaches that are not just all about hope but have real teeth. I am not saying that Son Rise doesn't work for certain kids, for certain parents, for certain issues. Nor am I saying that about any intervention program. But I think we ALL must keep in mind that financial and time resources are limited. We need to choose what is most likely to succeed with our children and find something else if that technique doesn't produce test-supported results pretty quickly. For that matter, if I were going to spend big bucks on a program, I would get my child tested privately in the areas I was concerned about so that I'd have an independent baseline. Then I'd post-test with the same test AFTER the therapy to see what progress has been made. This should be done with ALL therapies, including ABA and the conventional approaches. The proof, for ANY approach, is in the pudding. Getting objective pretests and posttests is the ONLY way to measure progress without emotions and personal opinions clouding the issue. I thought that the "Son Rise" book was inspirational....But that link.... YIKES! Hi everybody, I really appreciate your responses. I understand peoples concerns that Son-Rise is not backed up by research studies (which is actually being done as we speak). There is actually quite a bit of published research that does support what we do. In fact there will be a collection of published scientific studies on the son-rise web site in the coming month or so I suggest reading it. We have not done that in the past because getting a study is incredibly expensive and although I know you think our prices are high we are non-profit organization and it has taken us a while to pull together resources for a research project and still provide quality services for families. We are not a large operation. Cost for a Start-Up (learn how to set up and start running a program in your home) is approx 00 this includes your lodging and meals (partial scholarships are readily available). I am not selling anything there just seems to be a lot of thoughts being thrown around as to the cost. I completely agree that every child is different and it is absolutely about finding each child's combination of therapies and interventions. Again we never ever claim to "cure" Autism, I would and do absolutely use the word "recover" with several kids that I know personally, and not all of them statred off HF or Asp. Was it just Son-Rise? no, they did a number of things that worked for their child. What ever you choose for your child is great and I am not here to make anybody second guess themselves in fact I think that whatever you choose do it whole heartedly, get the most out of it. I would not recommend mixing ABA and Son-Rise, I have worked in and seen programs like that and they end up diluting each other and appear confusing for the child. Sorry this is so long. Let me say this, I have tremendous respect for every parent working to help their child, whatever anybody chooses I hope it works and brings you closer to your children. I am always here to help in anyway that I can. Have a fantastic day Aaron Hi there, I know these are some old posts, but I have to say there are some severe misunderstandings. I have worked in ABA (3 years) and am now a Son-Rise Child Facilitator (last 4.5 years). I realize some of you will dismiss me because I do this therapy, I am not telling you what to do with your children I realize each therapy is effective for what it is designed to do, but don't believe everything you read. I have personally seen amazing things through this program, too many to count. I have been pulled by the hand by children into their Son-Rise playroom, I have had many many children say their first word with me without ever giving them an m&m or stopping their stim. My cousin has just started her Son-Rise program and the only problem the parents have is that she doesn't want to come out of herplayroom at the end of the day. I could tell you horror stories of ABA, but I know it wouldn't paint an accurate picture of the therapy and the amazing people who do it as a whole. Be open minded. Aaron I guess I have a problem with that they won't let anyone in to actually study it. And you stated that so few people know anything about it - they seem to want it that way unless you pay a fortune! My ds would never stay in a playroom all day. He is very high-functioning and WANTS social contact with others. He is very verbal and active as well. There are always two sides to every story. I just wish that Son-Rise would actually tell theirs - and it that is what you are here to do, then that is wonderful! How much does it cost, by the way? I would love to have you clear up any misunderstandings. I got that link from someone with autism. Now granted, there is a movement about in the autism community to be against any kind of trying to "cure" autism and/or do anything to change the person with autism. I just was very uncomfortable with what the article said about SonRise. And I would never, ever dump a fortune into something that doesn't have a lot of research behind it and if I felt it was a good fit for my son. Perhaps you could start by telling us what the SonRise program is all about and many more details. That would be helpful. Thanks! I have a problem with ANY program that refuses to include plenty of ABA. ABA has its drawbacks, but it is STILL the ONLY approach that has plenty of statistics to back up the fact that kids make TONS of progress with it. In fact, in New York States "best practices" section on the State Ed website, it cites ABA as the gold standard for educating young children with autism and recommends 40 hours per week (or used to...research has shown that many kids do just as well with 25 hours of one-on-one ABA per week). ABA was not generally available when my 16yo was in preschool, but I wish it had been. Other programs that are ABA based should be seen in the same light as ABA -- RDI, VB, PECS. One of the drawbacks of ABA is that it is often just seen a discrete trials. If the ABA begins and ends with discrete trial, the child won't generalize and the result will be kind of robotic. TEACHH is a very good program for helping the children incorporate the skills they've learned in discrete trial. My son's preschool used it and it was good (he was and is on the low end of high functioning). littlebopeep that is the funniest thing I heard all day !!! You are right - and that is why I am really looking forward to getting some training myself I still see issues socially and wonder if RDI can help in this area? [/QUOTE] YES!
If Son Rise is an all-or-nothing game, then perhaps either you're in or you're out. Maybe SonRise parents just can't relate to parents who aren't doing it, too? I don't know why this bugs me, but it is weird!!! I would love the meet the boy from sonrise as an adult now:) [/QUOTE] I have seen him in a TV interview and he appears completely normal - very happy, smart, engaged, charming. I don't doubt his story, but SonRise Inc. uses him as a carrot for a lot of their marketing. Just because he is totally NT (appearing or recovered or however you want to view it) doesn't mean that all kids will be just like him. What I like about Son-Rise, from what I have gathered, is that is it a parent support and training program. When your kid is dx'ed with an ASD, you are bombarded with the attitude that only therapists and specialists can help your kid. Your job is to sob quietly in your car while ferrying him around from appointment to appointment. I would love to see more programs/approaches take a pro-parent orientation and teach parents what they are uniquely qualified to do and that is connect with your child. Parents have so very much opportunity to influence what their child perceives. Any program that encourages parents to connect emotionally with their child and interact in an intentional way is A-OK by me. I just think it is odd that no Son-Rise parents post on any of these message boards and give us other parents an idea of what the program feels like from a parent POV. What is up with that? That was my only negative with ABA therapy was that all these young therapists~(none had kids of their own) could help my child and I couldnt' :( It was hard feeling so helpless & unnatural as a mom to be on the sides...I did do what they did at night the best I could but Sarah wouldnt do for me as she would for them.. I like RDI for the same reasons as sonrise and that the parents are empowered to help their kids..I dont regret ABA..it was a necessary tool for her at the time but with her phased out of it now I still see issues socially and wonder if RDI can help in this area? With regards to Son-Rise support sessions via phone or otherwise I was told that it is strictly 'pay to play' if you know what I mean. I think the program is a great idea and it would help some parents who may not have any idea what to do with themselves, but I do not think those people are here. As for parents not posting here...they have their own son-rise forum. You can check it out on their website. I would post a link, but I cannot find it. I was able to get on there once before. Please keep in mind, again, I am not slamming this program. I actually think the idea is very cool, but I don't like the hard-sell, I don't like the attitude, I don't like the lack of research, I don't like the fees, and the rest feels like things we are doing at home already. We have been dealing with autism only 4 short years and it is still an enigma to me and I learn something more everyday just on this board..from those that have autism themselves and in the news, books....just never going to feel smug like I know all the answers because I dont
wish I knew the correct amt of which ones worked the best:) I remember reading both sonrise books and telling our ABA therapists about it..they are leary of it's methods because of the "joining in on the childs stims" was so against the ABA methods of ignoring them
We did ABA and it did just what it proposed to do...my child would be considered recovered by many people..other than her primary teacher no one else at her school knew her diagnoses and had no clue she was autistic..her art, pe, music, creative dramatics thought she was perfectly nt until I told them at the end of school year and all were shocked
At 3 years old she had no words or eye contact, no expressions, no pointing, or playskills..now...she has no issues left related to autism except her lack of wanting peers and her language is not always perfect..but compared to where she started she is my miracle..I feel like going on 60 minutes and telling the whole world what ABA did for her because it worked so well for her. I have a hard time not praising it and sometimes go way overboard trying to encourage parents to do it because I know what it can do and the dramatic changes it can make...please forgive me
The consultant never once told me she would recover but she told me she would get skills needed to survive as an adult..that was better than any other type of therapy out there could promise me. RDI is the new one for me..dont remember it when we started ABA and now I wished we did it in the beginning together with ABA ....we did some RDI exercises towards the end of the three year mark of ABA but she was also in kinderkids and doing many outings in public. One day who knows they may have a program that utilizes all ABA/sonrise/RDI methods full time and those kids may actually do better than just one type of intense therapy?? I would love the meet the boy from sonrise as an adult now:) I just read The Maverick's mind of a severely autistic boy that recovers without ABA or sonrise/ or RDI ...it looks like the kids that get intense quality 1:1 engagement at all waking hours seem to do very well compared to those that only rely on schools to do what is needed..all these therapies have that one thing in common and that is finding what works for your child and building on that..reinforcing it with whatever works and adding to it and never ever giving up~common sense teaching:) Ok! I will shut up now:) "One day who knows they may have a program that utilizes all ABA/sonrise/RDI methods full time and those kids may actually do better than just one
type of intense therapy?? I would love the meet the boy from sonrise
as an adult now:) I just read The Maverick's mind of a severely
autistic boy that recovers without ABA or sonrise/ or RDI ...it looks
like the kids that get intense quality 1:1 engagement at all
waking hours seem to do very well compared to those that only rely on
schools to do what is needed..all these therapies have that one thing
in common and that is finding what works for your child and building on
that..reinforcing it with whatever works and adding to it and never
ever giving up~common sense teaching:) Ok! I will shut up now:)" Gosh Shelley you voiced my very thoughts - Even I read Maverick Mind and saw that the mother employed completely different techiniqus - for example when she teaches her son in a noisy environment so as to train his ears to tune out "noise" And I keep thinking that Different things will work for different kids - Like Fred says Autism has many causes so may have many treatement as well Thanks for taking the time to write all of that, Chris. It is curious that no parents using the Son Rise program have ever (to my knowledge) come here. It is always a therapist popping in and telling us how great the program is. I don't doubt that Son Rise is great, but it sure would be good to hear from other parents about their experiences. Again, thanks for writing. I appreciate your efforts. I am both glad and sad that this post came up again. I did not see Aaron's rather puerile remarks prior and could have done without them. I do not think I "knocked" anything and I do not feel it "necessary" to do so in order to "feel good about" the program I employ. Your "program" is what it is...for exactly the reasons I stated...to teach a parents how to unconditionally love their child...I do not need that schooling, but thank you for your pedantics Aaron they help to edify my now stronger position. PS-There are a lot of things that have been around for longer than 30 year that are still BS. Staying power does not denote wisdom. The research you point to references only itself as a source. This is not research...this is self-promotion disguised as research. When I asked about the counselors not one of them had an advanced degree in anything...they had simply been taught the way of the son-risers! All vagueries as I stated before. No empirical evidence. PLEASE show me some empiricism. As you noted, "the guy" I spoke to did relate his family story to me. This holds no bearing on whether or not he was being a snake oil salesman. Anyone who tries to get me to sign up right there without letting me get off the phone to look up more information and then says, "Well, you can buy the books. They come to 108 dollars. That wouldn't break the bank would it?"...that is a snake oil salesman. Chris, I appreciate your tone and your enthusiasm. I wish you the best in your future endeavors and I truly wish the best for any person employing ANY method. Whatever works for you and your family. Whatever works for the child. Best to you and yours. Always a fascinating thread to read! I'm with "LittleBoPeep"...Where are the parents who have done Son-Rise? Do they have some type of orientation or initiation into the program that perhaps indirectly discourages them from looking at other options while doing Son-Rise? I recall a post saying that parents should do whatever program they choose 100%. If that is the case then my son shouldn't be improving! We do a real combination of things including speech, OT, floortime, PECS, biomedical treatment, assistive technology, and there are elements of ABA in the public school autism program. If you use Son-Rise with your child, PLEASE let us know! The book is very moving, and the reason I didn't pursue it 2 or 3 years ago is the same reason I didn't pursue ABA...$$$. It was good to hear your perspective Aaron When my son was a toddler Son Rise started. At the time, so much less was known about how to address autism that this looked like a decent approach. I never considered it, though, because it required travel far from home for the training at the time and I was under the impression it was very expensive, tho I never got close enough to ask. Since those days in the early 1990's, it has been shown, unequivocally, that ABA works with young children on the spectrum better than any other method. Of course, nothing works with every individual, but ABA has TONS of data that shows actual and lasting progress. What's more, NO ONE OWNS ABA. Yes, it's expensive but that's because it's intensive, not because someone is making money off the methodology. They're making money off their expertise and time. Using ABA with your child will give you daily feedback. If progress is not being made, you'll know soon and the program can be adjusted. If I knew then what I know now, my son would have gotten LOTS of ABA back when it would have done him the most good. Before kindergarten. We looked into son-rise. It seemed like a great program, but then the more I looked into it the more it seemed like "pseudo-science." I listened to all the interviews on their site and read through their forums. My wife and I discussed it and were thinking, "We don't really need to pay someone to tell us how to unconditionally love and accept our son." These are the main tenets for them. They preach that every child can be "normal." They state that you need to get into the stimming with them and meet them where they are. There was a lot that rang true and a lot that did not, but what was the kicker for me was the "phone consultation." I got this guy on the phone who was suggesting all sorts of things for us-1 week to educate DW and myself without the bubby-several thousand bucks. Another week of the same...same price. Then we could start bringing him. I started to ask specific questions about the therapies and I never got any answers save for, "Whatever you want your son to be able to do we can get him to do it." I did not like the vagaries at all. Then it kicked me right in the crotch with the hard sales pitch, "It sounds like you have already made up your mind to come it is just a matter of how you are going to make it work." I told my DW to get off the phone at that point and that she didn't need to listen to the rest. She was laughing as she said, "When I heard him with that sales pitch I was thinking, 'that guy does not know my husband.'" I continued to listen and got very little in the way of answers. felt dirty at the end when he said to me, "Well, we should get you started with the reading material and I would suggest signing up for the next session as soon as possible. They fill up very quickly. You should make up your mind on this by next week. Should I call you then?" I told him that I would call him as I needed to do some more research. "Ok, then I will just write up the reading materials for you I mean...one hundred dollars won’t break the bank will it?" I restated that I needed to do more research. I hung up a little angry. He called back twice...we didn't speak. Next ask me about my talk with NACD which used to be IAHP
PS-When I asked him about the price and insurance reimbursement he said, "we usually first decide when you wantto attend and then work out how you will pay for it later." PUH-LEASE! LOL! Sounds like a used car salesman. That would have me thinking twice too. That locked door thing though in that article totally turned me off. I could not and would not lock any child in a room. We do our therapy type stuff at the table for the most part, or on the floor. And it has worked out just fine. The whole house is child proofed and there aren't many things they can't have or can't touch and what they can't have is in the master bedroom with a childproof door handle, so I see no purpose in a playroom. I would not go in for the SOn Rise program becuase it does not have scientific evidence to back it up - unlike ABA and its VERY expi Read the book "Let me hear your voice "( big proponent of ABA ) and also Son RIse ( Very interesting read as well and I liked their perspective though it had a pretentious feel to it sometimes ) I read both and it was clear to me what I wanted to try out Catherine Maurice in her booj has a section on Son Rise which is interesting Are all Son-rise posters named Aaron? Is this part of the "rise of the son?" I find it interesting that you have never posted here before (unless you are indeed the other Aaron son-rise advocate) and yet when son-rise is called into question...here you are! How convenient for us to have the information so handy. Your post is very nice however it did not address the hard sell I received from the son-rise campus in Mass nor the attitude nor what I found to be the mindset behind son-rise. Speak to some of the research and outcomes/outcome measures. That would be of great help. Cheers Aaron#2 Since those days in the early 1990's, it has been shown, unequivocally, that ABA works with young children on the spectrum better than any other method. [/QUOTE] What is "better?" If doing skills on command is better, then ABA wins hands down. There are many therapies to choose from now and saying that ABA is "better than any other method" is just plain wrong. "Better" depends on what you value for your child. Many therapies that are not ABA focus on emotional attachment and relationships. How do you measure "better" when it comes to relationships?
Having worked in the program, I know first hand that we never claim to
cure autism. I would be suspect of anybody making that claim and if you
have actually seen that somewhere I would love to know where. Cured is
strong word, I have seen kids who have recovered in Son-Rise and ABA
based therapies some with atypical behaviors left over some with nothing
out of the ordinary. I am great friends with Raun (child that Son-rise was
started with) and he is typical in every way. I was actually his roomate for
a while. He is actually one of the mosty socially outgoing people I know.
No two kids are a like and there is no way to tell how far they will go.
People know very little about Son-Rise, if you looked into it you would
actually see that it is a very common sensical approach and there is
nothing "miraculous" about it. I would love to answer any specific
questions you have (e.g. how we work with language, Eye contact etc)
Thank you for your interest.
Liam is absolutely adorable
Aaron
First off, I wanted to provide a link to the research Aaron is referring to that supports the Son-rise Program: Research
I'd suggest downloading the PDF if possible because it's much easier to read. Although none of this is a straight forward research project on the son-rise method, all of these cited research projects are empirical studies and effectively back specific ideas and methodologies that are the key foundations for the son-rise program. Also I have heard rumors about a current research project being conducted to back the program as a whole. So look for that in the near future.
Now I know I am merely a student and by no means an expert or professional in the field of autism treatment, so I understand many of you will completely disregard what I have to say. but anyway....
A few years ago I realized I wanted to devote my life to directly helping children with autism and their families. I spent many hours researching many methodologies, theories, and studies. I learned a great deal about ABA just because it is the most common method you find when researching this topic. I was never entirely sold on ABA, and after reading a time magazine article that chronicled a school using ABA and another with DIR/Floortime, I realized that ABA was not for me (article). That being said I have nothing against anyone that uses ABA and it definitely is effective in the way it is meant to be. I just do not see myself being satisfied employing its techniques in an attempt to reach children and adults on the autism spectrum.
My experience using the Son-Rise method, and working one to one with a boy named Tommy has truly been life changing. The young boy I have worked with has ultimately become one of the greatest teachers I have ever had in my life (and that is not a knock on my schooling I attended a Blue-ribbon school of excellence in HS and currently attend one of the Top Liberal Arts Colleges in the nation). I could go on for a long time about what Tommy has taught me and the changes I have found in myself through working with him, but that is not what this topic is about. The changes I have seen in myself parallel countless changes I have seen in Tommy. His eye contact which was once non existent is now sensational. His interactive attention span has gone from at the most 2 minutes at a time to now at times almost 2 hours at a time. He has also pleasantly suprised me with his new ability for joint attention, a key aspect of theory of mind which is often a critical impairment in autistic children. he has shown me this ability when I join him in staring at specific objects. He will recognize what I am doing and smile at me. But the biggest change I have found in Tommy, once a shy and often easily frightened young boy, is that he is SOOOO happy. I have never been around a child that has expressed more joy in a 2 hour period than Tommy has in the more recent months. And I think that is the one big thing that the Son-Rise program brings to the table. If being treated purely under the son-rise program I really believe you will find improvements in many areas of an autistic child's deficits. That being said, all children are different and some will improve more than others in different areas, etc etc. Nevertheless, I firmly believe this method will ultimately lead to a great deal of happiness in any child.
now again, I am not saying that ABA or any other method will not lead to happiness for a child and everyone who uses something else will end up with miserable children. I am just speaking on behalf of my own experience using Son-Rise program and the research I have done out of my own interest and for course papers.
I hope this helps clear up some of the misunderstandings people have about the Son-rise program and if anyone has any further questions I'd be glad to answer them.
No not all Son-Rise people are named Aaron. Same guy new account I lost my account info and had to create a new one. In terms of the "hard sell" camusa, I know the guy you are talking to as he is the only male doing those calls, his job is absolutely to fill the Start-Up program and they do fill up rather quickly. However what you are seeing as a hard sell is his enthusiasm for the program. I don't know if he told you his story, but he has a little boy named Jake who was dx as severe Autism and they were told he would never speak and would always be this way. They ran a son-rise program and he completely recovered, I know them and their children quite well and Jake is completely typical. I don't know how else to say it. So I think what you are seeing is that Brian just wants that opportunity for every parent and if a few people get turned off in the process than so be it. We in no way promise that result for every parent, but we absolutely believe in that possibility for every parent.
Every body is skeptical for some reason or another, but just like ABA works for what it is designed to do, Son-Rise works for what it is designed to do and that is establish social connection and teach and inspire children to make relationships. We have been around for 30 years, it works.
Whatever you choose to do, do it 100%, but if you choose to do ABA or anything else it in no way means that Son-Rise is bad or is ineffective. Just choose the therapy that works for your family. Why do people feel they have to bad mouth something in order to make them selves feel better about their choice, that makes no sense. I worked in ABA long enough to know that the people in that field love the kids they work with and want the best for them, just like in Son-Rise we just have different beliefes of how to go about it. I have seen and understand both and have chosen this and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I did check the website for the current collection of research and I couldn't find it, not sure why I will call the center and find out for you, I know that would be useful.
take care
Aaron
Hey everybody,
Aaron here, I am a certfified Son-Rise child facilitator have been doing this for nearly 5 years now and worked in ABA for nearly 3 years before that.
I'm always a little surprised when the Son-Rise program stirs up so much reaction! But it makes sense, I know there are a lot of things out there claiming to do amazing things for your children everything from hyperbaric chambers to fish oils to rolling kids up in blankets and recreating the birthing experience. Some work for some kids, some don't. Son-Rise gets criticized all the time, everything from we are just in it for the money to there is no research to back it up. The truth is it absolutely works, does every child recover with it? absolutely not. I have worked with over 400 children and adults using Son-Rise, the most common things I hear parents say is my child is happier and I am more connected to them. I also consistently see, a massive increase in spontaneous natural eye contact, huge increseases in vocabulary for many children (the rate varies for each child) and growth in attention span. We never break out m&m's, or videos to get a child to do anything. In fact I find it way way way easier to motivate kids using the Son-Rise program than I ever did doing ABA. That's not coming from bias that is coming from flat out experience. I would love it if every family found exactly what works for their child and there family, that doesn't always mean Son-Rise or ABA. Because in reality the SR program only works if it really jives with the family, if not than don't do it. We have been around for 30 years. Of course it works.
I am based in Southern CA I do not sell for Son-Rise I am in my own private practice, my web site is www.autismchange.com if anybody wants to speak further about this, I will be happy to speak to you for free and I promise I will not try and sell you anything, but know this, I am very good at what I do, I have every families best interest at heart and if you feel this might be an answer for you and your child get a hold of me and atleast check it out.
peace and best of luck
Aaron
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