My girl has completed her first full week back in school after spending the past 2 years in an ABA program. The first year (10 months )was in a center with 1:2 ratio... in layman's terms, 1 teacher to 2 students. Then one full year of a combination of ABA and Natural Environment Training in an in home program. In Ohio we are blessed to have the Autism Scholarship. So when the public school systems are not equipped to teach your autistic child you can apply for the scholarship and use it instead of public schools. This is to ensure your child is being reached in the best way possible.
I will have to say, I am glad we didn't start "drill and kill" ABA with her too soon. I have heard how this increases some aggressive behavior. Mainly due to frustration. If I had to do it over again...I would have foregone the center approach and did two years in-home ABA. Each child is different... you need to listen to what they aren't saying. You really need to learn to be a detective with our kids. Since they aren't able to say what you need to know, you need to look for clues. It isn't easy that's for sure!
Recently what caused me to think of ABA began with a letter I received from a Dr. The letter helped me realize I did do the right thing by my daughter. This Dr specializes in developmental pediatrics. Her expertise is with autistic kids. So, for some reason I had this assumption she was an expert in the field. Why do I elevate my expectations of certain types of people? Ok another blog for another day!!
In this letter she was going over her findings from our appointment. Something she said sent up this read flag. Well, actually there was something she said in our meeting that got those wheels in my brain a turnin. She said two years of ABA was completely enough time to devote to ABA therapy. Then when I read her comment in the letter I again was seeing another red flag! She said the ABA therapy hadn't really made a difference in my child. Uhm?? How can you say this? You don't even know my daughter. You have seen her for only a few short minutes. You are seeing a snapshot of my autistic child in a new place, who was hungry and bored out of her mind... and you are going to judge her on that visit? Whatever!
My thoughts are this... ABA is a lifestyle. It's not always straight drill and kill sessions. It's coupled with Natural Environment Training with helping them find their way at their pace. I don't think she would be where she is if it weren't for caring people listening to what she couldn't say and reading her body language.
When I first started to research ABA from a parent's perspective I really didn't find too many things on the Internet. I think it's missing. Like how to set up a therapy room in your house. How to look for tutors. IEP's and assessments. I will try to share what I know. What has worked and what hasn't.
In my personal experience, I say yes to ABA! I'll take the good, the bad and the ugly of it all. To hear my daughter say I love you and point to an airplane in the sky! It has changed out lives for the better!
No comments:
Post a Comment