ABA Therapy and School Districts

Okay, I'm a newbie, and maybe I don't truly understand ABA therapy or school district policies. I have heard that school districts often only cover ABA therapies for children on the spectrum. Is this correct?

I am asking because the more I read about Floortime, the more I think it would be beneficial for him. As for ABA, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around how it would be used with DS and how it would help him. He has PDD-NOS, but is pretty high functioning, speaks well and would not qualify for speech services. He does need help with social interactions, sensory issues, and fine motor delays.

So far when I've read about ABA, it seems to descrive scenarios where children have drills and get a reward wen they give the right answer or attempt an answer. I have trouble seeing how getting an M & M for saying hello and making eye contact will work, but maybe I'm wrong? I hope this doesn't sound sarcastic, I really feel as if I'm missing something about this.

Thanks for any clarification!

Re: ABA Therapy and School Districts

You have FM :)

Re: ABA Therapy and School Districts

It's about positive re-inforcement. It DOES work! Trust me!

Do that... get m&m! DS WORKS for food (HIS reinforcer). Some kids have other reinforcers like a toy, or a book, etc..

Re: ABA Therapy and School Districts

There is no one size fits all approach to ABA and there is a growing movement towards floortime in NYC but not so much in LI...however you do have options with regards to the SD and shaping your child's individualized learning....there is no such thing as a one size fits all when it comes to learning...

Here are some great resources:
1. Engaging autism (stanley greenspan)
2. www.icdl.com- this is the official website for floortime, and it has a forum for families utilizing this approach. ETA: this is a great way to get in touch with other families

HTH, and feel free to FM

Message edited 5/2/2011 6:18:35 PM.

Re: ABA Therapy and School Districts

You described discrete trial training - it is a small part of ABA - but NOT ABA.

The unfortunate thing is that most teachers and districts don't understand that difference.

ABA works for anyone. The definition of ABA is the science in which the principles of of behavior are applied systematically to improve socially significant behavior.

nothing about discrete trial training per se - and ABA is used in floortime - just wihtout the data - which is an important component in any ABA program.

I feel very strongly about the proper application of ABA, and the proper use of the terminology when it is being implemented.

Message edited 5/2/2011 10:27:46 PM.

Re: ABA Therapy and School Districts

Re: ABA Therapy and School Districts

Thank you for the clarification! Looking at the evaluation, it was recommended that his social skills therapy contain ABA principles, but be applied in a natural way (ie. actual experiences versus drills requiring adult prompting). DS already has a good vocabulary, so it is more a matter of helping him use his words in social settings and communicate with others. He really struggles with this now.

The M & M example threw me, and I read it in a few descriptions (though most lumped ABA/DTT together). Mainly because we have done M & Ms for potty training and a few other things. They work for about a week, then they don't anymore. Same with stickers or other rewards--we probably need a different motivator.

Re: ABA Therapy and School Districts

ABA Therapy has definitely helped DS. It is basically..Do this..Get that type of mentality and believe me..when they want something specific they will work for it.

However, it is also about following requests from those other than you (mom) ..lke in a school setting using various motiviating programs to get the kids interested in learning. They use anything and everything that would be a reinforcer to get DS to do what is requested.

You know what your son's needs are so you may have different requests of the therapists. Everyone is different.

GL

Re: ABA Therapy and School Districts

When I started researching ABA, I was put off. But one of DS's therapists put it like this...

Everyone works for a pay check. You wouldn't work if you didn't get paid. This is your kid's pay check.

ABA has done wonders for my son. I wish we would have started sooner.