What is ABA ? Kim

Hi everyone! Okay, how many of you have actually gone down the path of using ABA and felt like your child was "cured". I'm going to rant a little here... Although I think its a good idea to expose your child to as many therapies to see what works best, I find it very interesting how many parents are set on ABA and if you child is not doing ABA that you aren't doing all you can to help him/her. First of all, my son is 3 (diagnosed at 18 mos) and my twin girls (20 mos) have been getting therapy since 8 mos. My son and oldest daughter are getting lots of therapy -- OT, Speech, Self Help, and Music therapy. My son is also in Special Ed Preschool and my daughter has been getting lots of 1:1 therapy/floortime, etc at an excellent birth to 3 center. Also, my youngest twin is also getting therapy for communication delay. My husband and I as well as the teachers and therapists have seen great improvements in all of our children. I get so frustrated by judgement calls by other parents with children on the spectrum. My husband and I are very dedicated parents!!! We work opposite shifts in order to make sure that one of us is with them throughout the day. I was able to work a split shift and work from home at night since I work in IT for a wireless co. I am blessed to have that luxury. I get home from work and am on the road getting this one and that one to all the therapies they need. Being 300+ pounds doesn't make it any easier. This is part of the reason I've decided to take this very big step in my life. So WHY can't parents be open minded to what works for each family and each individual child?????????? I just wanna SCREAM sometimes not just from familial struggles of dealing with Autism/Special needs, but all the judgments that come along with that from others. Okay thanks for letting me RANT & RAVE!!!! Jenn Still waiting on surgery date, looks like it might be late April 2006...YEAH!

Pam, I don't think you can say you failed if you are doing everything to get your daughter the services she needs. I have an 11 y/o aspie son who is high functioning. He is in regular classes with pullouts for services like Gifted/Talented, PE with an OT, etc. He is on Lexapro and we use Panacea Creams transdermal vitamins, plus he sees a child psychologist at least once a month. We have seen tremendous improvements in him. As for as the bathing, brushing teeth...he does it but I would prefer him to spend more time at the tasks. Of course, most of the "normal" boys are pretty much the same way, being forced to bathe and then rebathe, so unsure about that part. Are you involved with the Autism Society? We have a great Families Helping Families Chapter here and most of them are also in the Autism Society. Those Support Groups have been a lifesaver and a gold mine of information. Sometimes just knowing you aren't alone helps. If you aren't involved in a Support Group then I would highly recommend it. Feel free to email me anytime. Anne 254/175/1??

I the state of Indiana, ALL are turned down the first time or two. Thank You. Kim

This is what I went through also. Kim