Me again posting on behalf of my nephew and family. They live in north texas and are having a terrible time finding someone to do aba therapy. My nephew is newly diagnosed with moderate autism and turns 4 this month. The public school system doesn't offer it. I'm just trying to help them in any way I can and thought I would ask you who might know what your thoughts are.

His behavior is almost unmanageable at this point. My sil is moving for the summer down to the Austin area to get him therapy. This means my step-brother will now be alone all summer without her and the boys. They have a 1 year old, too. I am so sad that they are splitting up their family - and so humbled by their determination. I think they could swing paying someone to come into their home to do the therapy (recommended 30 hours a week) but they literally cannot find anyone.

Help? And thanks so, so much in advance.

Susanne

gbg @ 31.6
5/2006

our absolutely BEST therapist in the world was a college student. we found her through another family, but the one before her we recruited through a job bulletin board at the local college--she was great, but moved after 6 months.

anyway, I basically became our "ABA specialist". i was learning right along with them, but we did send them to a one month training through a nearby Autism Center.

I used the book "Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism" and i liked it because it had actual programs to follow--it gave the tools to actually carry out what all the other books just talked about. I loved that about it, and it became our ABA bible. We set up our hours and programs at home.

It would be great if your SIL could go to austin and get a few weeks of training herself, then go back home and "teach" someone to do the ABA therapy.

I, too, and humbled by their determination. I have no doubt though that ABA can change his little life in so many ways. I hope that they can find a way to work things out so she isn't away from home for so long.

Megan

our EI therapist knew some things about ABA even though she was never "trained" in it. So she taught someone and they became our therapist. It was a tremendous hit! She was wonderful. All you really need is someone who loves kids and is determined and won't "cave" when the child cries (and he will!!). The first week is the worst as the child really doesn't want to pay attention to you and you are trying to make him sit in a chair. If he has behavior issues, it will be tough. Don't give up! It took Kyle a week of struggles and even banging his head on the wall. I had to leave the house a few times the first week while they had therapy, it was hard on me. But it was soooo worth it!!!!

I agree with the other poster. Get the book!! You can get it on Amazon. IF you can find someone to teach you ABA, you can do the other training. Good luck. I hope you find someone. Use a friend!

Ann

BBG born 7/7/03
33 weeks 3 days

I'm a big believer in ABA for the tough to deal witih issues. We are in Michigan now, but moving out of state soon. Our ABA consultant passed along the website www.bacb.com to find a reputable therapist. I attended a weekend seminar, and saw how a "bad" therapsit can do harm. Our consultant said now that she knows my son, she can help by phone, and she said that we could also send video of bad behavior to help with proper consultation until we are established in N.C. We couldn't afford paying someone to do it, so we put the other two in daycare a couple mornings a week (which they actually loved and grew from). That gave me time to work on what the consultant and I discussed.