Focus on behaviors, not on disorders
May 15, 2009
Can applied behavior analysis work for more than autism spectrum disorders?
What has ABA done for my child
May 5, 2009
I remember the day I received the letter in the mail and as I read through the pages of information not understanding the majority of it only to get to last paragraph and reading the summary and seeing the word autism. Who knew that one word would not only change my life but the lives of our entire family forever. In the beginning I heard people say he doesn’t look autistic, no he can’t be autistic he can talk, no it must just be bad parenting. The comments went on but never stopped me from working to help my son.
I struggled with the realization that there is not a road map, what to do next manual for parents whose child has just been diagnosed with autism, who knew a child needed to come with a manual. I spent months researching the internet and speaking with other parents. I finally was able to obtain the assistance of a BCBA, who started working with my son we saw great improvements but being a military family we had to move and we lost our ABA services. After being stationed in the mid-west for three years were services were not available we then moved to Pennsylvania where we found a wonderful BCBA for our son. Paul Eschbach, who is the President of Autism Services North. Paul has changed not only the life of my child but our entire family. I can now take my child to Wal-mart and we can shop for an extended period of time, we can enjoy family outings and have family dinners without the melt- downs that used to rear their ugly head whenever we left the home. This has not been an easy road, the therapy can be intrusive, having someone come in your home 1 to 2 days a week cause dinner schedules to be interrupted and social gathers are scheduled around therapy. But I wouldn’t do anything differently. My son is reading on a 1st grade level now when we moved here he was on a less than pre school level, math is up as well, he is now doing multiplication tables. I am so proud of the progress my son continues to make each day that he surpasses goals it makes it all worth it. ABA is not a cure but it’s as close to one as we are going to get right now.
If you are considering ABA therapy for your child just remember it can be intrusive having someone in your home suggesting how to work with your child. You have to follow through with the program; you must retrain yourself, throwing some old parenting ideas out. This can be hard believe me I know I have been doing this a long time and I still mess up, forget but as long as you keep trying it will work.
I suggest you meet with and interview a couple of BCBAs and decide who is a best fit for your child and family. Make a list of what you want to see for your child whether its social skills, education, behaviors, or other skills that you want your child do correctly.
Make sure the schedule fits and remember the more flexible you are the better your opportunities for the provider you want to work with your child is available.
If you still have questions or concerns you can email me directly at lisa@autismservicesnorth.com or call me at 1-800-306-8602
I wish you the best on your journey through the world of autism.
Lisa Gibbner
Parent of Charlie age 9
Director of Operations
Autism Services North