shue

I was also under the impression that ABA may not be right for my daughter because she is verbal, etc. Every case study I read about that supported ABA invovled these really retreated children and usually they were not verbal at all. However, the more I learned, through reading and actually meeting with professionals who practice ABA, I realized that getting them to speak is only part of what ABA deals with, it teaches so much more, though meaningful communication is a big part of it. Abby's attending was so poor, but she has made tremendous progress already. TREMENDOUS, and in only four weeks. She was getting 16 hours a week up until this week, and now she is getting 40 hours a week, plus what we do at home. All my reading, talking to other parents, and listening to what the DX doctor had to say about Abby's strengths and weaknesses and what ABA addresses all contributed to our decision to persuit ABA for Abby, first anyway.The Bryna Seigel book I've mentioned before in particular helped us decide what Abby might best benefit from, but actually getting busy with some professionals really made up our minds. If your son is already that far along, communication wise, then that is just that much futher down the road you get to start. How encouraging! We are doing the SI too, largely based on Temple Grandin's explaination of her experiences as a young child and as an adult in her book, "Thinking in Pictures." It seems like that in Abby's case, like in her own, a multi-disciplinary approach is in order, but Abby needs more than child-directed therapy. At least that's what my gut tells me. Of course, every child is different. Autism is so puzzling.
I like also that ABA is so proactive. When I hear a professional use the phrase "life-skills," I run the other way. She is three years old! I have no reason not to believe that she will recover. That's our prayer anyway.