RE: Question for parents in Houton area school distri...

August 27, 2008

Geraldine:

is definitely getting this now within Conroe ISD but my worry is

what happens after he leaves this teacher. BTTC still can come in for

occasional consults where I will get written reports on their observations.

But the

road to get here was ugly. Very ugly. I don't trust their BCABA because she

was in charge of training the 4 teachers who completely decimated his

education. It's only because of the nonpartial outside observation of BTTC

that

I've built up any trust that they are doing this right. Of course now they are

playing catch up of what I will continue to call the educational rape of my

child. But for now, last year and this year they are doing it right.

Hilda

In a message dated 8/27/2008 6:09:43 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

gbliss1@... writes:

Hmmm.okay, maybe this question really comes down to the definition of ABA.

Yes, I think a lot of school districts are starting to use some practices

from the field of ABA. BUT are public school programs adhering to the same

standards that are employed in peer-reviewed comparative studies of

different types of educational programs for students with autism (such as

the et al study)?

I'm in a district which has dedicated autism classrooms, but the quality of

instruction across the autism classrooms varies from teacher to teacher,

from what I have seen and heard. I think one of the biggest issues

districts face is getting teachers and paras trained in ABA. It's a problem

that's further compounded by the challenge districts face in retaining good

teachers in autism classrooms. I've heard from both consultants and

teachers that the reason turnover rates are so high is because teachers feel

abused by parents. It's a tough job, for sure. I'm all for the idea of

performance compensation bonuses for teachers who consistently use the

principles of ABA.

Another component that's generally missing, in my opinion, is enough support

for teachers. I mean beyond just training teachers. It's really hard to

teach, collect data, input data, analyze it, and then trial new

interventions. If you look at how private programs do it, they have systems

for getting all of that done - including the involvement of senior classroom

trainers, BCABAs, and BCBAs who share in that workload. Even for the very

best teachers, there are times when another set of eyes is needed to help

analyze what is going on. In my opinion, an effective ABA-based classroom

has the regular, frequent, and hands-on involvement of a behavior analyst.

The other component that's missing in public schools is ongoing, hands-on

training for teachers. It's one thing to attend a workshop, but it's

another thing altogether to try to apply the principles of ABA to a child

with severely challenging behaviors. School districts really need behavior

analysts to be actively involved in supporting teachers by working

side-by-side with them to teach them HOW to apply the principles of ABA on

the fly.

Just my opinion.

Geraldine

_____

From: _Texas-Autism-Texas-AutTexas-AutismTex_

(mailto:Texas-Autism-Advocacy )

[mailto:_Texas-Autism-Texas-AutTexas-AutismTex_

(mailto:Texas-Autism-Advocacy ) ] On Behalf Of Dr.

Graham-Garza

Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:26 PM

To: _Texas-Autism-Texas-AutTexas-AutismTex_

(mailto:Texas-Autism-Advocacy )

Subject: Re: [Texas-Autism-Subject: Re: [Texas-Autism-Advocacy]

school districts

Now that ABA wording is in the autism supplement, all the districts will

" say " they are using ABA principles - even before Katy had an ECAP and YCAP

program but no formal ABA training. I believe it is eclectic - lisa

[Texas-Autism-Advocacy] Question for pa

districts

Do any of you parents in any school district in the Houston area --- know of

a campus or district that has an " Autism ABA " program. A campus or program

specifically for those with autism, using the principles of ABA - Applied

Behavior Analysis - as the curriculum/methodolBeha

Please let me know...

M. Guppy

My autism journey isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about

learning to dance in the rain....

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvoTexas Au

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to

compromise. We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should

live in one. We cannot debate who should get an inclusive education.

Everyone should. We cannot determine who does and who does not get the right

to make their own choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

Texas Autism Advocacy

www.TexasAutismAdvowww.Texa

Texas Disability Network

Calendar of Events

www.TexasAutismAdvowww.TexasAutismAdvocacy.or

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

deal here.

(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

August 27, 2008

Conroe ISD used to until MKA came along and hired Stetson & Associates to

back her up in her opinion to crush all autism programs. I was part of their

autism focus group and they said that these classrooms lead to " learned

helplessness. " Of course, I had a lot to say about that.

Now, does have in place this methodology with a teacher and

paraprofessional appropriately trained. Last year and this year same two

people.

God help us next year when he has to change schools.

Hilda

In a message dated 8/27/2008 3:05:59 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

michellemguppy@... writes:

Do any of you parents in any school district in the Houston area --- know of

a campus or district that has an " Autism ABA " program. A campus or program

specifically for those with autism, using the principles of ABA - Applied

Behavior Analysis - as the curriculum/methodol A c

Please let me know...

M. Guppy

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

deal here.

(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

August 27, 2008

You're very fortunate to have the involvement of BTTC in your son's public

school program. I shouldn't use the word fortunate - I know you worked hard

to get that.

I don't know the BCABA in your district, and I don't know what her job

responsibilities are within CISD. In a lot of places, behavior analysts

working in public schools are stretched so thin they can do little more than

offer cookbook solutions and attend ARDs. That's not what ABA is about, but

that's what happens because there aren't enough professionals available to

meet the huge needs in public schools.

Districts need to find systematic ways of getting more behavior analysts

into schools and making the most effective use of the behavior analysts.

For example, if districts would create professional development tracks for

special ed teachers, which would allow them to become BCBAs under the

mentorship of an experienced BCBA, districts would eventually have lots of

qualified behavior analysts. Though it would take a bit of an investment up

front (to pay for a full-time BCBA), there would be a payout within a couple

of years when the district has, say, 6 homegrown BCBAs or BCABAs, who could

then train other teachers.

Just an idea.

Geraldine

_____

From: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

[mailto:Texas-Autism-Advocacy ] On Behalf Of

HildaBowen@...

Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 8:45 PM

To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

Subject: Re: Question for parents in Houton area

school distri...

Geraldine:

is definitely getting this now within Conroe ISD but my worry is

what happens after he leaves this teacher. BTTC still can come in for

occasional consults where I will get written reports on their observations.

But the

road to get here was ugly. Very ugly. I don't trust their BCABA because she

was in charge of training the 4 teachers who completely decimated his

education. It's only because of the nonpartial outside observation of BTTC

that

I've built up any trust that they are doing this right. Of course now they

are

playing catch up of what I will continue to call the educational rape of my

child. But for now, last year and this year they are doing it right.

Hilda

In a message dated 8/27/2008 6:09:43 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

gbliss1comcast (DOT) <mailto:gbliss1%40comcast.net> net writes: