Balance the empathy and the science.

I work with children with high intensity behaviors and I try to visualize them as younger kids playing by themselves on the beach or at a playground. That helps me to see them as you said-kids. I also actively try to think about what their parents have gone through-empathy is key. But these are very hard to do when I am physically and emotionally drained and frustrated. It takes practice. And leaning on your co-workers can make all the difference too!

Good for you for sticking with it and increasing your education. There are so many children who engage in this behavior and it takes a strong person to help them.

Thank you so much, Mom, for taking the time to provide all of this insight. I hope your son continues to make progress, but when he takes a couple steps back (as we ALL do) I know you will be there advocating:) I would like everyone here to know that I have shared ALL of your thoughts with our director as we are always learning. I really cannot thank you enough.

Even if the dr recommended 40 hours, the insurance company will likely not approve it. The center cannot say how many hours have been approved until the BCBA conducts the assessment. Consider less hours of ABA combined with half day preschool-depending on your child’s needs. Many public schools (unfortunately) do not have well trained staff, while ABA centers do. Lots to consider. Good for you for looking for ideas here.

Thanks everyone!

Thanks! I hear ya. Interventions fade systematically, so that the child can be served in LRE. And yes-several other ways to help kids besides ABA.

Thanks for all of your comments. But what about children who do not have trained staff in the public school environment? Schools can barely staff with anyone, let alone a staff trained in ABA. I also think you can have both-socialization and intensive programming in a clinic. Ours does. And if pre-school is two years, couldn’t a child go to a clinic for 1 year, and the public school for another? I just don’t think it has to be either/or. As far as the profit comment-ABA companies need to make money to pay for an endless list of things needed to be able to support these kids.