Guest guest Posted September 7, 2004 Report Share Posted September 7, 2004 I'm an ABA therapist, so obviously I am pro-ABA, but I have found that the majority of people I have encountered who are anti-ABA had a bad experience based on the PROVIDER, not the therapy or the basic principles of ABA. Some ABA providers are very strict and inflexible and do not take into consideration the practicality of behavior managment techniques they are suggesting, or the emotions of parents watching/listening to their child tantrum. I have worked with providers who just say, " Oh, they all do that, they'll get over it, " with out explaining why a tantrum might be occuring or when they'll " get over it " or why it is important not to give in to that type of behavior, and alos when it IS ok to give in. I have worked with over 40 different kids of varying ages, abilities, functioning levels, and diagnosies, and every single one made some measurable progress with ABA over time. Of course the results are always different and depend not only on the child, but also on the commitment and dedication of the parents in following through with things outside of therapy, and also the number of hours spent in therapy, diet, meds, etc. But they ALL made progress. Hope that helps with your questions. Also, contrary to what some people still believe, ABA therapists do not hit, pinch, etc, to get kids to comply. If they do, they should be charged with abuse same as any other person. Amnesty > Since starting a job as an autism skills trainer I have been reading > the controversy about using ABA. > > I was wondering what your thoughts were on the subject and if it > helped or didn't help? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2004 Report Share Posted September 7, 2004 I'm an ABA therapist, so obviously I am pro-ABA, but I have found that the majority of people I have encountered who are anti-ABA had a bad experience based on the PROVIDER, not the therapy or the basic principles of ABA. Some ABA providers are very strict and inflexible and do not take into consideration the practicality of behavior managment techniques they are suggesting, or the emotions of parents watching/listening to their child tantrum. I have worked with providers who just say, " Oh, they all do that, they'll get over it, " with out explaining why a tantrum might be occuring or when they'll " get over it " or why it is important not to give in to that type of behavior, and alos when it IS ok to give in. I have worked with over 40 different kids of varying ages, abilities, functioning levels, and diagnosies, and every single one made some measurable progress with ABA over time. Of course the results are always different and depend not only on the child, but also on the commitment and dedication of the parents in following through with things outside of therapy, and also the number of hours spent in therapy, diet, meds, etc. But they ALL made progress. Hope that helps with your questions. Also, contrary to what some people still believe, ABA therapists do not hit, pinch, etc, to get kids to comply. If they do, they should be charged with abuse same as any other person. Amnesty > Since starting a job as an autism skills trainer I have been reading > the controversy about using ABA. > > I was wondering what your thoughts were on the subject and if it > helped or didn't help? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2004 Report Share Posted September 7, 2004 I'm an ABA therapist, so obviously I am pro-ABA, but I have found that the majority of people I have encountered who are anti-ABA had a bad experience based on the PROVIDER, not the therapy or the basic principles of ABA. Some ABA providers are very strict and inflexible and do not take into consideration the practicality of behavior managment techniques they are suggesting, or the emotions of parents watching/listening to their child tantrum. I have worked with providers who just say, " Oh, they all do that, they'll get over it, " with out explaining why a tantrum might be occuring or when they'll " get over it " or why it is important not to give in to that type of behavior, and alos when it IS ok to give in. I have worked with over 40 different kids of varying ages, abilities, functioning levels, and diagnosies, and every single one made some measurable progress with ABA over time. Of course the results are always different and depend not only on the child, but also on the commitment and dedication of the parents in following through with things outside of therapy, and also the number of hours spent in therapy, diet, meds, etc. But they ALL made progress. Hope that helps with your questions. Also, contrary to what some people still believe, ABA therapists do not hit, pinch, etc, to get kids to comply. If they do, they should be charged with abuse same as any other person. Amnesty > Since starting a job as an autism skills trainer I have been reading > the controversy about using ABA. > > I was wondering what your thoughts were on the subject and if it > helped or didn't help? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2004 Report Share Posted September 7, 2004 I second Amnesty. Any therapist who behaves in such a way should be brought on criminal charges. I have also seen every autistic child I know make progress when ABA was used. ABA in that it was discrete trials of rewards given for desired behavior and undesired behaviors given no rewards. When you think about it, this is the basis for most teaching of people, whether autistic or not. When my NT 12 mo old puts a toy in the toy box I cheer and clap for her. When she doesn't, I put the toy in myself and clap and cheer for me. When they potty at 2, I celebrate, when they don't, we try again. It's jut a little mroe structured, in general, with kids with autism, and the rewards are much more consistent. Debi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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