Finding ABA frustration

[Anonymous]

Dislaimer: i know that ABA is controversial, but I"m not looking to discuss that here.

I have been looking for ABA for my 4 y.o. DD and it has been a complete nightmare. Do I really think she needs it? No, but trying can't hurt, and it's something her developmental pediatrician suggested. But I'm astounded at what I've encountered. Can someone explain the BTS parts of it? Lots of ABA companies out there that don't even seem legit, and why do so many absolutely require a 15-20 hour minimum? My DD goes to FCPS PAC and there is no way we are willing to cut school for this. After finally finding an ABA provider that seemed to meet our needs in October and all the back and forth correspondence since then, we've had 3 different case managers due to turnover. We finally met our behavioral technicain yesterday, and she just graduated highschool last year. What in the world? While she was very sweet and professional, she clearly was inexperienced and I am about to axe this altogether.

Can someone enlighten me about the world of ABA? And, if possible, recommend a provider in the No VA area before I axe this altogether?

[Anonymous]

So many scam companies out there just to make $

[Anonymous]

If your kid is in PAC there probably isn’t time for ABA. Or even really the need for it because the PAC classes use a lot of ABA techniques. My kid is in the half day preschool and gets his ABA visits in the afternoon.

[Anonymous]

i would try it. Don't use an aid, use someone with a masters degree in it and just let them know you want 4-6 hours a week to start. Most insurances will approve that much, but you can decline. We just did a few hours a week but it was years ago and the provider moved out of the area.

[Anonymous]

In recent years, ABA providers have been bought up by private, for profit corporations. The fact that they seem money driven is because they are - they're here for the increasing rate of autism diagnoses and the insurance coverage paying for it. They are driving down wages, hence the turnover and the decreasing qualifications of the people who work there. I would probably start with screening the ownership of the provider.

[Anonymous]

I have a child with ABA, and honestly does not sound like you're a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is in PAC there probably isn’t time for ABA. Or even really the need for it because the PAC classes use a lot of ABA techniques. My kid is in the half day preschool and gets his ABA visits in the afternoon.

Yes, the time and scheduling is really difficult, as my kid also has a 7pm bedtime. Can I ask where you get your ABA services?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i would try it. Don't use an aid, use someone with a masters degree in it and just let them know you want 4-6 hours a week to start. Most insurances will approve that much, but you can decline. We just did a few hours a week but it was years ago and the provider moved out of the area.

This has been literally impossible to find

[Anonymous]

You won’t find an ABA provider who will do less than 10 hrs a week and usually they reserve that for maintenance. As a new patient, they will probably push for 15 hours or more. Your best bet would be to see if you can find an ABA provider who can push into preschool if the principal will allow it. I’m assuming you’re at a private preschool/daycare?

[Anonymous]

If you're local, go to the GMU website and look up the professors who teach classes for the ABA certification. Most are BCBAs in private practice and a lot of them provide direct service. The ones who don't often hire grad students to work at their companies. The grad students are usually either RBTs or special ed teachers and they all need supervision hours before they can take the BCBA exam.

[Anonymous]

ABA is meant to be intense behavior training.

The only studies behind it are doing many hours a week.

It's all about repetitive and isn't done in a few hours a week successfully.

[Anonymous]

My DS has attended school with a child from PAC to 4th grade so far. They have done ABA and/or other therapies for years and sometimes it conflicts with the school routine. You have even less time when they go to full day Kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Very reputable companies will not insist on minimum hrs, especially not 20 hrs for a 4 yo whonis receiving other services. I would recommend our provider but they are out in MD and OP is in VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i would try it. Don't use an aid, use someone with a masters degree in it and just let them know you want 4-6 hours a week to start. Most insurances will approve that much, but you can decline. We just did a few hours a week but it was years ago and the provider moved out of the area.

This has been literally impossible to find

Keep looking. It was hard to find. I found someone via a facebook group based off my local area insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ABA is meant to be intense behavior training.

The only studies behind it are doing many hours a week.

It's all about repetitive and isn't done in a few hours a week successfully.

We were fine with a few hours a week. It should be based on the child's needs.