All About Autism

[Couragemom]

Hi fluttershy,


Thanks for the encouragement. Yah, you are right. I read an article that a US study shown that an ASD child given intensive ABA therapy from age 3-6 has a very good prognosis for future integration back to society. But like you say, the fee is HIGH!

I spoken to my husband and we decided to let him continue his current pre-school for the time being and will probably cut back on the therapies and see if he regresses anot. Keeping my fingers crossed and keeping my faith.

Meanwhile, I try to squirm my eyes while checking the bank account so that cannot see how fast the $ is depleting!

[dreamy79]

Hi


i’m new here. i have a son 3.5 years old being diagnosed mild autistic. to me he doesn’t have any issue other than behavioural issues. Have been sending him to rainbow centre for 2 hours lessons 3 times a week.
Can i know what’s the ABA therapy that i have been reading in this forum? is it good for behavioural issues kids? roughly hw much will it cost and which provider is good?
Sigh his mainstream CC has been feedback he’s quite disruptive in class really worried they’ll kick him out, he love the CC and the teacher and friends there. Any advice?

[sharonkhoo]

I know that ABA is done by professionals, and they arguably do a better job than parents, but at a much higher fee. For those who do it daily for several hours, it probably works well, but at a high cost. I believe it’s also possible to implement it at home, and if the parents can do it consistently all day, as and when it’s needed, it can work as well, maybe better, than just a few hours a week. So if cost is prohibitive, do try to read up and DIY. Something is always better than nothing. I did a lot of stuff with my Asperger’s kid long before I heard about ABA, and it sounds a lot like the things I did.

[fluttershy]

Hi Couragemom,


I read this sentences somewhere in facebook page & it really gives me a lot of encouragement to see parent with special need child(ren) in different light:

\"Before he was born, so much of my life was about moving forward. I was always looking toward the next house, the next car, the next job. Having a child with special needs really made me slow down and examine my definition of success. It also opened my eyes to how many people around me were willing to help.\"

I was exactly like that before my son was born :oops:

[fluttershy]

dreamy79,


http://www.spectrumofhope.org/aba.html

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is the only peer-reviewed methodology proven to help improve the lives of children with Autism. The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis was founded in 1958; ABA as a treatment for Autism began in the 1960s. There is over 50 years of scientific research supporting ABA. ABA programs are based upon scientifically proven methods, peer-reviewed research, and well-established principles of learning.

Cost wise it really depends on how many hours a week your son is going to commit. The more hours obviously the more costly it will be. Also it depends on how qualified and how professional the team of therapists & case manager/behaviour consultant is.

In the beginning i engaged a home-based ABA therapist for my son for about 3 months that i found in a public forum based on the reviews of some parents because it was so much cheaper. However it turned out my son didn't enjoy his ABA therapy time nor did he make any progress (or maybe very slow) within that 3 months. I decided to stop & went to the centre with professionals & qualified ABA certified therapist.

It's very very expensive (for me! :moneyflies: :moneyflies: :moneyflies: ), but I see a lot of promising results out of him, his compliance is high now, he understood simple instructions which made him throw less or no tantrum at all because he's able to understand my instructions. He also learn to accept denial (eg. he's not frustrated when i said \"no\"). They taught him how to play with several different toys properly as well, so that he can use his spare time engaging in play instead of stimmings (meaningless behaviours such as: gazing around, doing things repeatedly & withdrawn in his own world).

Both me & my husband thinks that although the cost is very high, but it's a money well spent. We look at it as a long term investment for his future as well. We're having a monthly parent training session where they train me on what to do at home & how they do it for all the skills that my son's already mastered, so that the family can apply it at home as well.

It's still a very long journey ahead of me, but I really hope that it will be well worth it!

[dreamy79]

Hi all


thanks for all the sharing

Yellowbelt, can i know which centre you send your kid to? Roughly the costing and what should i lookout for?

[ymeynow]

Channel New Asia Talking Point on autism now, 8pm-9pm.

[Double E]

Couragemom:

Hi Double E,


Actually his school teachers are quite ok with him and he is used to the environment in general but the school fees is $1100 (after subsidy!!!) for half-day CC! I don't feel he is ready to go to PCF kindergarten as he probably will be 'lost' but if I am to continue the current cocktail of private therapies and atas CC, the family has to dip into our savings for his sake.

I found a good church kindergarten for my NT daughter for K1 next year and it only costs $800 per term! But there is no morning class slot for my son in N2 next year, must be on the waitlist. I will review his progress by Dec and see if I can cut back on his private therapies as well without compromising too much on his progress.

So are u putting your son on the church kindy wait list? I think you should. If there is a vacancy for him, let him try. If he can't adapt, then can go back to the current CC.

[ImMeeMee]

Doter has to start wearing glasses to correct her myopia ... :sad:


Any tips from parents to minimize loss and damage of spectacles?

[phtthp]

Correct spelling is daughter, not "doter"


Can use Ksp abbreviation : dd

There may be teenagers reading this forum
(Try to use correct spelling, if not abbreviation)