Looking for advice from a parents point of view

[bookwormde]

As you can tell I am not a big fan of ABA as a free standing therapy. While there have been studies that show that it can modify behaviors the ability to generalize the progress in dissimilar situations and environments has been very disappointing.

When ABA is taken as the first step in a compressive non-academic (social skills, TOM EF) skills curriculum it has significant value and it’s analytical and evaluation portions are essentials to moving forward with the non-academic curriculum needed by Autism spectrum individuals (and many other individuals with various neurovariants). Unfortunately since most ABA applications focus on modifying behaviors instead of using it to identify skill needs and then using an appropriate and effective non-academic skills training program it has limited long term efficacy in this narrow method of application (and often gives schools “cover “ to do little else).

Most educators and clinicians who really understand the true nature of the Autism spectrum neurovariant understand that ABA is just one tool in meeting the needs for an appropriate education and in unto its self has only limited efficacy in future varied generalized settings.

So I guess for those whose primary goal is to modify specific behavior it is clinically proven method. For those who are looking for developing the skills in there children to be successful in the broader NT social society it will fail if not used as the first step only to a broader skills based system which has a higher generalization potential.

Here is the link to Jim Ball’s Website

While there is not a lot of information on his skills streaming adjunct to ABA on it does have the contact information if you are interested in getting more information.

It is one of the best-structured adjuncts to ABA, which I have seen (and with my views of ABA this says a lot). It uses core ABA to do the needs evaluations and where behavior are so disruptive that they interfere with skills teaching, but unlike most programs transitions to a skill streaming program which for identified skill needs uses a step by step (skills streaming) approach to skill teaching including high levels of repetition, extensive use of visual supports, reinforcers faded over time and generalization of the skill on firmly established into varying generalized setting. He is not one who thinks that our children can or should be “cured” but should be given the skill to function and make use of their gift in NT society to the extent that they wish to.

Jim (thought the Autism society) put on a statewide set of classes in this program, which I attended. He is one of those rare clinician who I would say about 80% “gets it” and is still willing to learn from others ideas and experiences to keep pushing towards that 100% goal.



Perla75

I guess that as you work with the family you will find out which of the parents has characteristics, my point was just that the genes came from one (or both) of the parents so that is always a consideration (as it is with siblings).

Sound like with a supportive special ed director you have a great opportunity to create a truly comprehensive system, I wish you luck and again thank you.

Forevryoung

Thanks for the lead, I did find the schools web site and saved it so I can review their program in depth, I am always looking for good models.

bookwormde

 

[perla75]

Bookwormde:

Here are the best ABA schools/agencies I have come across:

http://www.morningsideacademy.org/
-you might be interested in checking this one out-just because you said you are always looking for good models. This ABA school is actually geared toward students with ADHD & HFA. It is highly academic, based on the behavioral techniques of direct instruction and precision teaching. I've visited this school & I was so impressed. Kent Johnson is a great man.

http://www.drcarbone.net/
-This is a clinic focusing mainly on language training.

http://www.nashobalearninggroup.org/
-My favorite MA school

 

[perla75]

Just another update that I think this mom is starting to feel better with me. I've been in constant contact with her, explained the tools I am using to train the staff who will be working with her child, and scheduled a time to observe the child's outside speech services. She wrote in today & said that she is very greatful that I am on her child's team and she thanked me for my work so far.

I am feeling very relieved. I am going to keep up with the detailed notes & I'm hoping she continues to feel ok with everything.