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Choosing an ABA provider?


Kathryn
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Help! What questions do I need to ask potential ABA providers? DS has finally made it to the top of the state's PDD waiver program to have ABA funded. I was given a list of six companies to choose from (or I could do a lot of paperwork myself and hire my own person) that I've narrowed down to three choices based only on age of company, the office being in my part of the state, and reviews. One does home-based only, the other two are right near DH's work and do clinic and home. How do I narrow it down and pick one quickly?

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Thanks. I've called all three but am waiting for one to call me back. I have a definite favorite out of the two I talked with. I'm just so worried about making a "wrong" choice, though I know there is no guarantee, especially with the turnover rates of line therapists. I could visit the two with clinics, but right now my favorite is the home/community-based one.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Having done this for almost 10 years, I can offer the following:

ask about therapist turnover. Many places pay so little to the actual therapists working with the kids that they only stick around for 6 mths or so. You want someone for like 2 years.

ask about what to do if the therapist and your child don't mix. What if there is nothing wrong with the therapist but your child doesn't mesh with them after a few weeks? Can your request another?

how involved will the supervisors/specialists be? Ideally, you'd have weekly supervisor visits and at least monthly "ist" visits: occupational therapist, speech pathologist, psychologist, etc.

what are their primary methods of therapy? Research these. Among my faves: PRT (the bomb!), Floortime (close second) and any language rich IBI program. Least fave: traditional ABA with negative consequences and discrete trial training, such as 80% of the time Tony will do xyz and they repeat and repeat till you want to bash your head in.

You want lots of data, measurable, but not discrete trial training. My apologies to those who feel otherwise. But I hold to my opinion: my child is a child, not a circus seal to be trained on command. I guess you'd have to ask yourself what your goals are. If getting him to do things like a robot are them, then discrete trials work. As long as there's a consequence or reward. Much prefer the natural engagement of the other methods that focus on the whole child in a real life setting, with communication, play and life skills being helped along.

Let's see... other questions... what about sick days from both sides? If the therapist is late, is the time made up? Can you sit in on and/or video record each session? I had all my sessions recorded for a few years and only had to ensure them that it was for my benefit, that it would not be broadcast.

Will post more if I can recall more... hope some of that helps!

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Research these. Among my faves: PRT (the bomb!), Floortime (close second) and any language rich IBI program. Least fave: traditional ABA with negative consequences and discrete trial training, such as 80% of the time Tony will do xyz and they repeat and repeat till you want to bash your head in.

You want lots of data, measurable, but not discrete trial training. My apologies to those who feel otherwise. But I hold to my opinion: my child is a child, not a circus seal to be trained on command. I guess you'd have to ask yourself what your goals are. If getting him to do things like a robot are them, then discrete trials work. As long as there's a consequence or reward. Much prefer the natural engagement of the other methods that focus on the whole child in a real life setting, with communication, play and life skills being helped along.

 

Totally agree. Very good advice, very well said.

 

Good luck Kathryn!

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  • 2 weeks later...

 

Thank you!

We've picked a company and are beginning the evaluation process to determine his needs and how many hours the state will pay for. we picked a place that is all home/community based (no clinic). So far, I've been very impressed with the people I've spoken with.

 

I'm a little nervous about how having someone else in our lives 20-40 hours a week is going to change MY life. I'm a pretty big introvert and lazy at that. I like to hang around in my pajamas all day if we aren't going anywhere. I guess those days will be over soon.

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Thank you!

We've picked a company and are beginning the evaluation process to determine his needs and how many hours the state will pay for. we picked a place that is all home/community based (no clinic). So far, I've been very impressed with the people I've spoken with.

 

I'm a little nervous about how having someone else in our lives 20-40 hours a week is going to change MY life. I'm a pretty big introvert and lazy at that. I like to hang around in my pajamas all day if we aren't going anywhere. I guess those days will be over soon.

 

 

LOL yes, those days will be over soon! I had therapists in our home from 9 to 5 Mon-Fri from the time my son was 2. When he was 6 it was cut down to allow for school, but we always had about 20 hours a week when in school. I'm the same as you, except a wee paranoid about the shape of my home. I found it frustrating that all of the therapists were young and didn't have children, so I felt judged that my house wasn't magazine perfect. In the end, I learned to be myself around them, and began the relationship with a somewhat flippant "this is us! Welcome to the zoo!" I found it did help to have a conversation with them about being welcomed into our family. When someone is in your home for that long, they do become like family. I always told them to feel comfortable, if you're thirsty, grab a glass, etc. When in my home, and we're both working on mutual goals for my child, you're a member of the family. They relaxed, I relaxed, and I felt I could be more real, instead of stressed. I always thought they should tell the workers in training "never judge a mom's wardrobe or the state of their house, you're not in their shoes!" I shared as much too, just to ease my own tension.

 

Soon you'll settle into a comfortable groove and it won't bother you to answer the door in a bathrobe! :hurray:

 

Glad to hear everything is working out so far.

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