RE: ABA

[Guest guest]

As a parent you really need to remember that no agency is going to hand your child what they need on a silver platter. I learned the hard way that you have to fight for every minute of therapy your child is ENTITLED to. Parents need to keep in mind that this is business and the less they give your child the more they can keep. Unfortunately, it's the sad truth,

My child only spoke a few words at 2 and I was told he only needed one half hour of speech a week. I finally got one hour. I now know my son was cheated and I can never get that time back. Early intervention is KEY.

Subject: RE: ABATo: sList Date: Monday, June 2, 2008, 8:56 PM

The “State” doesn’t recommend specific hours for ABA or for that matter, ABA. Early Steps does not rely on any independent evaluations. If they did you would likely receive more than they offer. Their recommendation will come from a contracted service delivery agency which is not exactly, independent. ABA is suppose to be intensive and 3 hours per week is hardly that. I would suggest you go to an agency like CPA in order to get an independent evaluation. I would then use that evaluation to justify more hours, if that is the outcome of the evaluation. In other words, you need the evaluation of a Psychologist other than their psychologist. Without this evaluation you could ask for more hours, but I’m sure they will say no. Too little of a needed therapy will have no or little effect on the problem and possibly have a negative affect. You also have to keep in mind you

can’t go back. Time lost is time lost.

Early Steps is notorious for offering too little. They have more pressure to offer whatever they can in the natural environment. Nobody will question therapy hours but they will question if the natural environment is left out.

If you like, we could discuss options via email.

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of evadingerrorSent: Sunday, June 01, 2008 5:15 PMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: ABA

I don't know where to find this info. Was thinking of calling CARD in Broward, but thought I'd ask here as well--since everyone here is so knowledgeable! Does anyone know how many hours of ABA the state funds for children under three (e.g. through Early Steps)? My son is currently receiving three hours of ABA a week and I don't believe that is enough. I think 20 is the recommended minimum for asd. Any info.?