Has ABA become too aversive?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

(I posted this message on another board, I appologize for the repeat,

but I would like as many opinions as possible)

I am trying to decide if it is time to stop ABA altogether, change to

exclusively NET, or try other therapies.

I am eager for others opinions.

My son will be 5 in November. He has had 2 1/2 years of intermittent

ABA and, unfortunately, never more than 20 hours a week. His I.Q. and

language " test " normal for his age. He can express simple concrete

ideas, but when it comes to abstract ideas, he has almost no clue.

He likes his peers, and will initiate simple conversations such as

" what are you doing " , " where are you going? " etc. But he still

responds poorly to conversations initiated by others. He continues to

have a lot of verbal stims, in which he perseverates on word plays he

makes up [e.g. kitties, pink, whiskers, nosey, doo (repeated 20-40

times before he switches to a new one)]. He is able to control his

stims, and will stop when I tell him to stop. He attends preschool,

2-3 days a week with out a shadow.

Due to a move, he was with out ABA for about 3 months this summer.

Prior to the move, we were having a lot of trouble finding reinforces

that were strong enough to motivate him at the table, and he was

becoming very resistant to any type of prompting in a social setting,

whether from an adult or a peer.

This summer, through the use of a token system (while on break from

discrete trials) his negative behaviors became almost completely

nonexistent. One night, he prayed " Thank you Jesus for all done

therapy. "

Three weeks ago, we started up an ABA program again. He has done

nothing but regress since we started. His obsession with numbers and

letters is stronger than ever, he cries and tantrums several times a

day, even on the days he has no therapy. He has always had

meltdowns when he is told " no " or when he makes a mistake. Those

problems were almost completely gone this summer. Now, they are back

in full force. Tonight he tried to hit me, something he hasn't done

in over a year.

Even with the strongest reinforces, we can't get him to come to the

table. We have done everything we can think of to make it

reinforcing. He seems so miserable, I am wondering if we are really

doing the right thing for him. I know there is still a lot he could

learn at the table, but I am wondering if we should just go to all

NET. This summer I did some RDI with him, and saw a great improvement

in his social skills. Anyway, I am just looking for some helpful

advice. Please let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Pam