ABA in elementary school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there an alternate “therapy” we could use? Is ABA the gold standard? One place told me DC is late to start it, at age 8. I guess what I’m saying is DC’s autism has somewhat flown under the radar this whole time so it can’t be severe.. While I totally agree with the diagnosis, I also tend to think DC doesn’t need as much support as the ABA clinics are suggesting. Are there other routes/programs we could pursue? 15 hours/week of ABA just won’t work for the family…and especially for DC.

You need to understand what your child’s challenges actually are. The autism label doesn’t tell you much.

[Anonymous]

ABA is designed to be intensive. That is the evidence based approach. It is not meant to be a couple hours a week. Because it reshapes and retrains behaviors you have to put on the time to have it be useful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ABA is designed to be intensive. That is the evidence based approach. It is not meant to be a couple hours a week. Because it reshapes and retrains behaviors you have to put on the time to have it be useful.

But the evidence is not based on HFA 8 year olds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did the psychologist think ABA is needed? Generally the companies try to get you to commit to a lot of hours but it isn’t always appropriate. Not all kids need ABA especially the higher functioning ones. What is more important is to keep tabs on life skills that they need to learn (ordering in stores, taking transit, cooking, etc) and making sure they learn. ABA can help with that but more like 1-3 hrs/week.

This seems the most on point and the question about why the psychologist thought ABA was needed is an important follow up to ask.

For example, you mentioned your child functions at school but tantrums at home. My DS, diagnosed at 6 and now 8, would have meltdowns at both school and home. When I asked the psychologist about ABA she told me that given his age and level of functioning, it was not needed. He currently has speech, OT, and PT and has made tremendous strides in two years.

[Anonymous]

OP here. The psych thinks ABA will help most with friendships/reading other people. It can also help him with tantruming at home, apparently. I agree, he needs something to help him. We are all at a break point, especially with the tantrums. Is ABA the best option or are there other approaches that we could explore. I’m going to follow-up with the psych to get more detail. I guess I’m just a little off put by the companies automatically telling me DC needs huge amounts of ABA each week without even meeting DC. These recommendations were based off of a 3 sentence email request I sent asking for more info. If we do what the ABA companies say, DC would be out of school half a day or in school and in ABA for almost 12 hours a day. Neither is appropriate for an 8 year old who likes school (but admittedly has huge academic struggles that we are also addressing), in my opinion. Again, I’m so new to this-I just want to hear how others have managed and what others have done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ABA is designed to be intensive. That is the evidence based approach. It is not meant to be a couple hours a week. Because it reshapes and retrains behaviors you have to put on the time to have it be useful.

Yes we know that. What we don’t know is how that is possibly appropriate for a high functioning child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The psych thinks ABA will help most with friendships/reading other people. It can also help him with tantruming at home, apparently. I agree, he needs something to help him. We are all at a break point, especially with the tantrums. Is ABA the best option or are there other approaches that we could explore. I’m going to follow-up with the psych to get more detail. I guess I’m just a little off put by the companies automatically telling me DC needs huge amounts of ABA each week without even meeting DC. These recommendations were based off of a 3 sentence email request I sent asking for more info. If we do what the ABA companies say, DC would be out of school half a day or in school and in ABA for almost 12 hours a day. Neither is appropriate for an 8 year old who likes school (but admittedly has huge academic struggles that we are also addressing), in my opinion. Again, I’m so new to this-I just want to hear how others have managed and what others have done.

I don’t think ABA can help with “reading other people.” It might be helpful for the tantrums/transitions. But I totally agree with your reservations. It may be easier to find a behavioral psychologist via KKI than an ABA company that is appropriate.

I don’t know if you’re in the DMV but at one point I talked to the people at Capital ABA and they seemed much less corporate/one size fits all. In found them because they had one of the few websites that did not appear to be a template designed by a private equity firm. You might start there. http://www.capitalaba.com/

In any event, dropping other therapies (for now) to focus on the disruptive behavior at home could actually make sense. BUT - the behavioral therapy should not take forever and ever. If it’s going to work it should work quickly, and there should be a clear plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The psych thinks ABA will help most with friendships/reading other people. It can also help him with tantruming at home, apparently. I agree, he needs something to help him. We are all at a break point, especially with the tantrums. Is ABA the best option or are there other approaches that we could explore. I’m going to follow-up with the psych to get more detail. I guess I’m just a little off put by the companies automatically telling me DC needs huge amounts of ABA each week without even meeting DC. These recommendations were based off of a 3 sentence email request I sent asking for more info. If we do what the ABA companies say, DC would be out of school half a day or in school and in ABA for almost 12 hours a day. Neither is appropriate for an 8 year old who likes school (but admittedly has huge academic struggles that we are also addressing), in my opinion. Again, I’m so new to this-I just want to hear how others have managed and what others have done.

NP here. That is bonkers. ABA helps with distinct tasks. Like learning how to toilet, or brush teeth, or things of that nature. It absolutely will NOT help with anything as nebulous as "friendships/reading other people." I mean unless the psych thinks that reducing maladaptive behaviors could help with friendships. ABA can help w/ that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The psych thinks ABA will help most with friendships/reading other people. It can also help him with tantruming at home, apparently. I agree, he needs something to help him. We are all at a break point, especially with the tantrums. Is ABA the best option or are there other approaches that we could explore. I’m going to follow-up with the psych to get more detail. I guess I’m just a little off put by the companies automatically telling me DC needs huge amounts of ABA each week without even meeting DC. These recommendations were based off of a 3 sentence email request I sent asking for more info. If we do what the ABA companies say, DC would be out of school half a day or in school and in ABA for almost 12 hours a day. Neither is appropriate for an 8 year old who likes school (but admittedly has huge academic struggles that we are also addressing), in my opinion. Again, I’m so new to this-I just want to hear how others have managed and what others have done.

NP here. That is bonkers. ABA helps with distinct tasks. Like learning how to toilet, or brush teeth, or things of that nature. It absolutely will NOT help with anything as nebulous as "friendships/reading other people." I mean unless the psych thinks that reducing maladaptive behaviors could help with friendships. ABA can help w/ that.

OP here again. I took notes during our meeting with the psych. She wants 2 hours/week of ABA to address “coping, frustration, and social concerns.” ABA companies are suggesting a minimum of 10 hours a week. Are you saying ABA may not work for what DC needs? If not, what else do you suggest? Social skills group? Therapy? DC doesn’t have trouble with life skills. Again, I’m going to go back to the psych for clarification. At this point, I’m wary of advice from ABA companies.

[Anonymous]

I'm the pp whose child has speech, OT and PT. For what you're describing, you may want to consider speech. Our son has made a lot of progress just by having the SLP work with him on verbal transitions, and how to not appear rude even if it is not your intent, etc. People could be having a discussion and he would cut in and randomly begin talking about his special interest. Obviously not the way to make friends and influence people. With help from the SLP he is working on waiting his turn to speak and how to ensure people understand you are topic switching. This was a huge weakness for him. He was also able to participate in Unstuck and On Target through his school and that almost completely extinguished his tantrums. It teaches the kids about flexibility, having a plan b and plan c, and concepts such as "big deal, little deal." It was extremely helpful for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The psych thinks ABA will help most with friendships/reading other people. It can also help him with tantruming at home, apparently. I agree, he needs something to help him. We are all at a break point, especially with the tantrums. Is ABA the best option or are there other approaches that we could explore. I’m going to follow-up with the psych to get more detail. I guess I’m just a little off put by the companies automatically telling me DC needs huge amounts of ABA each week without even meeting DC. These recommendations were based off of a 3 sentence email request I sent asking for more info. If we do what the ABA companies say, DC would be out of school half a day or in school and in ABA for almost 12 hours a day. Neither is appropriate for an 8 year old who likes school (but admittedly has huge academic struggles that we are also addressing), in my opinion. Again, I’m so new to this-I just want to hear how others have managed and what others have done.

NP here. That is bonkers. ABA helps with distinct tasks. Like learning how to toilet, or brush teeth, or things of that nature. It absolutely will NOT help with anything as nebulous as "friendships/reading other people." I mean unless the psych thinks that reducing maladaptive behaviors could help with friendships. ABA can help w/ that.

OP here again. I took notes during our meeting with the psych. She wants 2 hours/week of ABA to address “coping, frustration, and social concerns.” ABA companies are suggesting a minimum of 10 hours a week. Are you saying ABA may not work for what DC needs? If not, what else do you suggest? Social skills group? Therapy? DC doesn’t have trouble with life skills. Again, I’m going to go back to the psych for clarification. At this point, I’m wary of advice from ABA companies.

Find a new psychologist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The psych thinks ABA will help most with friendships/reading other people. It can also help him with tantruming at home, apparently. I agree, he needs something to help him. We are all at a break point, especially with the tantrums. Is ABA the best option or are there other approaches that we could explore. I’m going to follow-up with the psych to get more detail. I guess I’m just a little off put by the companies automatically telling me DC needs huge amounts of ABA each week without even meeting DC. These recommendations were based off of a 3 sentence email request I sent asking for more info. If we do what the ABA companies say, DC would be out of school half a day or in school and in ABA for almost 12 hours a day. Neither is appropriate for an 8 year old who likes school (but admittedly has huge academic struggles that we are also addressing), in my opinion. Again, I’m so new to this-I just want to hear how others have managed and what others have done.

NP here. That is bonkers. ABA helps with distinct tasks. Like learning how to toilet, or brush teeth, or things of that nature. It absolutely will NOT help with anything as nebulous as "friendships/reading other people." I mean unless the psych thinks that reducing maladaptive behaviors could help with friendships. ABA can help w/ that.

OP here again. I took notes during our meeting with the psych. She wants 2 hours/week of ABA to address “coping, frustration, and social concerns.” ABA companies are suggesting a minimum of 10 hours a week. Are you saying ABA may not work for what DC needs? If not, what else do you suggest? Social skills group? Therapy? DC doesn’t have trouble with life skills. Again, I’m going to go back to the psych for clarification. At this point, I’m wary of advice from ABA companies.

Two hours a week of aba could help. The “reading other people” could be like “go to the store and buy a candy bar - how can you tell the clerk heard and understands you?” But I was in your same position and couldn’t find anyone willing to do that limited an engagement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the pp whose child has speech, OT and PT. For what you're describing, you may want to consider speech. Our son has made a lot of progress just by having the SLP work with him on verbal transitions, and how to not appear rude even if it is not your intent, etc. People could be having a discussion and he would cut in and randomly begin talking about his special interest. Obviously not the way to make friends and influence people. With help from the SLP he is working on waiting his turn to speak and how to ensure people understand you are topic switching. This was a huge weakness for him. He was also able to participate in Unstuck and On Target through his school and that almost completely extinguished his tantrums. It teaches the kids about flexibility, having a plan b and plan c, and concepts such as "big deal, little deal." It was extremely helpful for him.

That’s great. Ideally what I think ABA could offer is the exact same kind of skills but in a real world setting. I don’t think SLPs do things like take a kid to a store or to ride the metro, but ABA can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The psych thinks ABA will help most with friendships/reading other people. It can also help him with tantruming at home, apparently. I agree, he needs something to help him. We are all at a break point, especially with the tantrums. Is ABA the best option or are there other approaches that we could explore. I’m going to follow-up with the psych to get more detail. I guess I’m just a little off put by the companies automatically telling me DC needs huge amounts of ABA each week without even meeting DC. These recommendations were based off of a 3 sentence email request I sent asking for more info. If we do what the ABA companies say, DC would be out of school half a day or in school and in ABA for almost 12 hours a day. Neither is appropriate for an 8 year old who likes school (but admittedly has huge academic struggles that we are also addressing), in my opinion. Again, I’m so new to this-I just want to hear how others have managed and what others have done.

NP here. That is bonkers. ABA helps with distinct tasks. Like learning how to toilet, or brush teeth, or things of that nature. It absolutely will NOT help with anything as nebulous as "friendships/reading other people." I mean unless the psych thinks that reducing maladaptive behaviors could help with friendships. ABA can help w/ that.

OP here again. I took notes during our meeting with the psych. She wants 2 hours/week of ABA to address “coping, frustration, and social concerns.” ABA companies are suggesting a minimum of 10 hours a week. Are you saying ABA may not work for what DC needs? If not, what else do you suggest? Social skills group? Therapy? DC doesn’t have trouble with life skills. Again, I’m going to go back to the psych for clarification. At this point, I’m wary of advice from ABA companies.

Find a new psychologist.

Why? 2 hours/week focused on behavioral issues sounds reasonable. The frustration is not being able to access that kind of care in the real world - but that can be true for all recommendations made by psychologists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The psych thinks ABA will help most with friendships/reading other people. It can also help him with tantruming at home, apparently. I agree, he needs something to help him. We are all at a break point, especially with the tantrums. Is ABA the best option or are there other approaches that we could explore. I’m going to follow-up with the psych to get more detail. I guess I’m just a little off put by the companies automatically telling me DC needs huge amounts of ABA each week without even meeting DC. These recommendations were based off of a 3 sentence email request I sent asking for more info. If we do what the ABA companies say, DC would be out of school half a day or in school and in ABA for almost 12 hours a day. Neither is appropriate for an 8 year old who likes school (but admittedly has huge academic struggles that we are also addressing), in my opinion. Again, I’m so new to this-I just want to hear how others have managed and what others have done.

NP here. That is bonkers. ABA helps with distinct tasks. Like learning how to toilet, or brush teeth, or things of that nature. It absolutely will NOT help with anything as nebulous as "friendships/reading other people." I mean unless the psych thinks that reducing maladaptive behaviors could help with friendships. ABA can help w/ that.

OP here again. I took notes during our meeting with the psych. She wants 2 hours/week of ABA to address “coping, frustration, and social concerns.” ABA companies are suggesting a minimum of 10 hours a week. Are you saying ABA may not work for what DC needs? If not, what else do you suggest? Social skills group? Therapy? DC doesn’t have trouble with life skills. Again, I’m going to go back to the psych for clarification. At this point, I’m wary of advice from ABA companies.

Is your DC able to do things like order at a restaurant? That’s the kind of life skills I mean. Dealing with frustration and resolving it non-disruptively is a type of life skill.