RE: ABA is not a bad thing; just part of the whole answer for kids

[Guest guest]

I wholeheartedly agree with Marcia. I may be putting words in Dr. G's mouth, but

I think it has more to do with " drills " than anything. He believes that we

should lower our expectations for our kids, especially in the area of behavior.

As he's said to me about my son's behavior, it's OK if he's angry and

frustrated, but it's not OK to lash out and hit, kick or bite. He feels it's

important that we communicate this message effectively and consistently.

Regarding ABA, I still have a 14 hour per week program with my son, but we've

moved on to more life skills type of training. Luckily, I have only two

therapists and my lead is also his case manager, so we develop his program

together. Right now, we're using RPM to teach academic skills. Strict ABA just

doesn't cut it with Noah anymore; we've really had to think outside the box.

Unfortunately, Regional Center isn't the most flexible agency; we are limited to

research-based interventions, of which RPM is not. But as Soma (the woman who

developed RPM) says in her book, we can't afford to wait for 20 years of

research--we need a program that we can use now.

If ABA works for your child, I think it can be invaluable in helping them " catch

up " to their NT peers. You know what works best. Follow your instincts!

All the best,

Robyn

> From: Marcia Hinds <hindssite@...>

> Subject: ABA is not a bad thing; just part of the whole answer for kids

> marthawood@...,

> Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009, 8:01 AM

> Martha stick with the ABA as long as it is being done

> correctly. Good ABA

> moves away from the Stimulus/Response model and onto good

> teaching when the

> kids are ready. My son is now recovered and we started

> with ABA. Today

> drives, has friends, and does all the things the

> doctors told me he

> would never do. now attends a university on a

> half-ride academic

> scholarship, studies Mechanical Engineering and has a 3.8

> GPA. He joined

> Sigma Chi Fraternity and has a ton of friends. (Who would

> have seen that one

> coming?)

>

>

>

> Dr. G is the best medically, however, he doesn't

> understand about ABA. In

> the past ABA was very negative and that is what Dr. G is

> probably objecting

> to. Although Dr G only wants the best for our kids, he

> hasn't lived this

> and doesn't understand that in order to get kids to

> learn like other kids

> you need compliance. Dr. G and I have argued about this

> for years.

>

>

>

> Good ABA is mostly ignoring the negative and reinforcing

> the positive. They

> can't learn if they can't follow directions or be

> treated like other kids.

> Along with ABA you need to use parts of any method that

> work or make sense;

> ABA, RDI, floortime, or whatever. Unfortunately there is

> not a simple

> solution where one thing is the answer. If it were easy,

> more kids would be

> recovered. You have to trust your gut and do what you know

> is best for your

> child. No one is as invested in this or will work as hard

> as you will to

> help your child.

>

>

>

> We survived the Autism diagnosis; but it wasn't easy

> and there were many

> times I thought we weren't going to make it. There is

> no magic pill to cure

> your child. Trust me, I searched everywhere for it. If

> you are expecting

> an easy fix, and what you are looking for is that magic

> bullet, you won't

> find it in a boot camp or anywhere. But there are lots of

> people promising

> immediate cures with their hands out ready to take your

> money. Our

> desperation makes us easy targets.

>

>

>

> Helping my kid recover is the hardest thing I have ever

> done. It took so

> much strength to be more stubborn than he was. If I had

> known in the

> beginning he would get better as a result of the years of

> hard work, I could

> have continued without all the tears, frustration, and

> hopelessness. But it

> was extremely difficult to keep working at this, not

> knowing if my family's

> sacrifices and efforts were actually accomplishing

> anything. It takes years

> for them to get better. I am now in the process of writing

> the book to help

> all of you, but need a publisher or agent to help me. If

> anyone has any

> connections, let me know.

>

>

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Marcia Hinds

>

> 805 497-8202

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

It might be worth getting Dr. G's exact sentiments on this because he has

told me adamantly that NO ONE should be doing any kind of drills or ABA with

my son. They are not to treat him as though " something needs to be fixed " .

We are to make sure the basic developmental milestones have all been met

(i.e. the natural reflexes that develop from infancy), and if any are

missing to make sure they are targeted. ABA does not do this. Maybe his

advice depends on the child?

Kristy

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Robyn

& Greg Coggins

Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 10:21 AM

Subject: Re: ABA is not a bad thing; just part of the whole answer

for kids

I wholeheartedly agree with Marcia. I may be putting words in Dr. G's mouth,

but I think it has more to do with " drills " than anything. He believes that

we should lower our expectations for our kids, especially in the area of

behavior. As he's said to me about my son's behavior, it's OK if he's angry

and frustrated, but it's not OK to lash out and hit, kick or bite. He feels

it's important that we communicate this message effectively and

consistently.

Regarding ABA, I still have a 14 hour per week program with my son, but

we've moved on to more life skills type of training. Luckily, I have only

two therapists and my lead is also his case manager, so we develop his

program together. Right now, we're using RPM to teach academic skills.

Strict ABA just doesn't cut it with Noah anymore; we've really had to think

outside the box. Unfortunately, Regional Center isn't the most flexible

agency; we are limited to research-based interventions, of which RPM is not.

But as Soma (the woman who developed RPM) says in her book, we can't afford

to wait for 20 years of research--we need a program that we can use now.

If ABA works for your child, I think it can be invaluable in helping them

" catch up " to their NT peers. You know what works best. Follow your

instincts!

All the best,

Robyn

> From: Marcia Hinds <hindssite@... <mailto:hindssite%40verizon.net>

>

> Subject: ABA is not a bad thing; just part of the whole answer for

kids

> marthawood@... <mailto:marthawood%40comcast.net> ,

<mailto:%40>

> Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009, 8:01 AM

> Martha stick with the ABA as long as it is being done

> correctly. Good ABA

> moves away from the Stimulus/Response model and onto good

> teaching when the

> kids are ready. My son is now recovered and we started

> with ABA. Today

> drives, has friends, and does all the things the

> doctors told me he

> would never do. now attends a university on a

> half-ride academic

> scholarship, studies Mechanical Engineering and has a 3.8

> GPA. He joined

> Sigma Chi Fraternity and has a ton of friends. (Who would

> have seen that one

> coming?)

>

>

>

> Dr. G is the best medically, however, he doesn't

> understand about ABA. In

> the past ABA was very negative and that is what Dr. G is

> probably objecting

> to. Although Dr G only wants the best for our kids, he

> hasn't lived this

> and doesn't understand that in order to get kids to

> learn like other kids

> you need compliance. Dr. G and I have argued about this

> for years.

>

>

>

> Good ABA is mostly ignoring the negative and reinforcing

> the positive. They

> can't learn if they can't follow directions or be

> treated like other kids.

> Along with ABA you need to use parts of any method that

> work or make sense;

> ABA, RDI, floortime, or whatever. Unfortunately there is

> not a simple

> solution where one thing is the answer. If it were easy,

> more kids would be

> recovered. You have to trust your gut and do what you know

> is best for your

> child. No one is as invested in this or will work as hard

> as you will to

> help your child.

>

>

>

> We survived the Autism diagnosis; but it wasn't easy

> and there were many

> times I thought we weren't going to make it. There is

> no magic pill to cure

> your child. Trust me, I searched everywhere for it. If

> you are expecting

> an easy fix, and what you are looking for is that magic

> bullet, you won't

> find it in a boot camp or anywhere. But there are lots of

> people promising

> immediate cures with their hands out ready to take your

> money. Our

> desperation makes us easy targets.

>

>

>

> Helping my kid recover is the hardest thing I have ever

> done. It took so

> much strength to be more stubborn than he was. If I had

> known in the

> beginning he would get better as a result of the years of

> hard work, I could

> have continued without all the tears, frustration, and

> hopelessness. But it

> was extremely difficult to keep working at this, not

> knowing if my family's

> sacrifices and efforts were actually accomplishing

> anything. It takes years

> for them to get better. I am now in the process of writing

> the book to help

> all of you, but need a publisher or agent to help me. If

> anyone has any

> connections, let me know.

>

>

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Marcia Hinds

>

> 805 497-8202

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think your comments accurately reflect Dr. G's advice on ABA. In my son's

case, I think Dr. G's recommendation is right on target. That's why we haven't

done any type of drills with him in a long time. We keep him engaged all the

time, concentrating mostly on social activities, such as game playing. We also

have gone back to revisit the developmental milestones he may have missed or

only partially completed and that has helped. I would imagine that Dr. G's

advice would depend on the actual child and how far they've come on the

protocol; it might be helpful to have him clarify this next month on the chat.

I definitely think there is something to be said for not treating our kids as if

they are someone who needs to be fixed. I hold Noah to the same standard of

behavior as my other kids, and for the most part, he doesn't let me down.

All the best,

Robyn

>

> > From: Marcia Hinds <hindssite@...

> <mailto:hindssite%40verizon.net>

> >

> > Subject: ABA is not a bad thing; just part of

> the whole answer for

> kids

> > marthawood@...

> <mailto:marthawood%40comcast.net> ,

> <mailto:%40>

> > Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009, 8:01 AM

> > Martha stick with the ABA as long as it is being done

> > correctly. Good ABA

> > moves away from the Stimulus/Response model and onto

> good

> > teaching when the

> > kids are ready. My son is now recovered and we started

> > with ABA. Today

> > drives, has friends, and does all the things the

> > doctors told me he

> > would never do. now attends a university on a

> > half-ride academic

> > scholarship, studies Mechanical Engineering and has a

> 3.8

> > GPA. He joined

> > Sigma Chi Fraternity and has a ton of friends. (Who

> would

> > have seen that one

> > coming?)

> >

> >

> >

> > Dr. G is the best medically, however, he doesn't

> > understand about ABA. In

> > the past ABA was very negative and that is what Dr. G

> is

> > probably objecting

> > to. Although Dr G only wants the best for our kids, he

> > hasn't lived this

> > and doesn't understand that in order to get kids

> to

> > learn like other kids

> > you need compliance. Dr. G and I have argued about

> this

> > for years.

> >

> >

> >

> > Good ABA is mostly ignoring the negative and

> reinforcing

> > the positive. They

> > can't learn if they can't follow directions or

> be

> > treated like other kids.

> > Along with ABA you need to use parts of any method

> that

> > work or make sense;

> > ABA, RDI, floortime, or whatever. Unfortunately there

> is

> > not a simple

> > solution where one thing is the answer. If it were

> easy,

> > more kids would be

> > recovered. You have to trust your gut and do what you

> know

> > is best for your

> > child. No one is as invested in this or will work as

> hard

> > as you will to

> > help your child.

> >

> >

> >

> > We survived the Autism diagnosis; but it wasn't

> easy

> > and there were many

> > times I thought we weren't going to make it. There

> is

> > no magic pill to cure

> > your child. Trust me, I searched everywhere for it. If

> > you are expecting

> > an easy fix, and what you are looking for is that

> magic

> > bullet, you won't

> > find it in a boot camp or anywhere. But there are lots

> of

> > people promising

> > immediate cures with their hands out ready to take

> your

> > money. Our

> > desperation makes us easy targets.

> >

> >

> >

> > Helping my kid recover is the hardest thing I have

> ever

> > done. It took so

> > much strength to be more stubborn than he was. If I

> had

> > known in the

> > beginning he would get better as a result of the years

> of

> > hard work, I could

> > have continued without all the tears, frustration, and

> > hopelessness. But it

> > was extremely difficult to keep working at this, not

> > knowing if my family's

> > sacrifices and efforts were actually accomplishing

> > anything. It takes years

> > for them to get better. I am now in the process of

> writing

> > the book to help

> > all of you, but need a publisher or agent to help me.

> If

> > anyone has any

> > connections, let me know.

> >

> >

> >

> > Hope this helps.

> >

> > Marcia Hinds

> >

> > 805 497-8202

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Its strange that Dr. G would be against ABA since I saw his endorsement and

statement of praise on the Center of Autism and Related Disorders (CARD)

website, an agency that specifically provides ABA therapy

> From: Marcia Hinds <hindssiteverizon (DOT) net <mailto:hindssite% 40verizon. net>

>

> Subject: ABA is not a bad thing; just part of the whole answer for

kids

> marthawoodcomcast (DOT) net <mailto:marthawood% 40comcast. net> ,

groups (DOT) com <mailto:% 40groups. com>

> Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009, 8:01 AM

> Martha stick with the ABA as long as it is being done

> correctly. Good ABA

> moves away from the Stimulus/Response model and onto good

> teaching when the

> kids are ready. My son is now recovered and we started

> with ABA. Today

> drives, has friends, and does all the things the

> doctors told me he

> would never do. now attends a university on a

> half-ride academic

> scholarship, studies Mechanical Engineering and has a 3.8

> GPA. He joined

> Sigma Chi Fraternity and has a ton of friends. (Who would

> have seen that one

> coming?)

>

>

>

> Dr. G is the best medically, however, he doesn't

> understand about ABA. In

> the past ABA was very negative and that is what Dr. G is

> probably objecting

> to. Although Dr G only wants the best for our kids, he

> hasn't lived this

> and doesn't understand that in order to get kids to

> learn like other kids

> you need compliance. Dr. G and I have argued about this

> for years.

>

>

>

> Good ABA is mostly ignoring the negative and reinforcing

> the positive. They

> can't learn if they can't follow directions or be

> treated like other kids.

> Along with ABA you need to use parts of any method that

> work or make sense;

> ABA, RDI, floortime, or whatever. Unfortunately there is

> not a simple

> solution where one thing is the answer. If it were easy,

> more kids would be

> recovered. You have to trust your gut and do what you know

> is best for your

> child. No one is as invested in this or will work as hard

> as you will to

> help your child.

>

>

>

> We survived the Autism diagnosis; but it wasn't easy

> and there were many

> times I thought we weren't going to make it. There is

> no magic pill to cure

> your child. Trust me, I searched everywhere for it. If

> you are expecting

> an easy fix, and what you are looking for is that magic

> bullet, you won't

> find it in a boot camp or anywhere. But there are lots of

> people promising

> immediate cures with their hands out ready to take your

> money. Our

> desperation makes us easy targets.

>

>

>

> Helping my kid recover is the hardest thing I have ever

> done. It took so

> much strength to be more stubborn than he was. If I had

> known in the

> beginning he would get better as a result of the years of

> hard work, I could

> have continued without all the tears, frustration, and

> hopelessness. But it

> was extremely difficult to keep working at this, not

> knowing if my family's

> sacrifices and efforts were actually accomplishing

> anything. It takes years

> for them to get better. I am now in the process of writing

> the book to help

> all of you, but need a publisher or agent to help me. If

> anyone has any

> connections, let me know.

>

>

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Marcia Hinds

>

> 805 497-8202

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I love Dr. G and am so thankful for him but giving him meds all the time

is telling him something " needs to be fixed " . ABA for us helped alot. Jerri

>

> It might be worth getting Dr. G's exact sentiments on this because he has

> told me adamantly that NO ONE should be doing any kind of drills or

> ABA with

> my son. They are not to treat him as though " something needs to be fixed " .

> We are to make sure the basic developmental milestones have all been met

> (i.e. the natural reflexes that develop from infancy), and if any are

> missing to make sure they are targeted. ABA does not do this. Maybe his

> advice depends on the child?

>

> Kristy

>

> From: <mailto:%40>

> [mailto: <mailto:%40>] On

> Behalf Of Robyn

> & Greg Coggins

> Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 10:21 AM

> <mailto:%40>

> Subject: Re: ABA is not a bad thing; just part of the whole answer

> for kids

>

> I wholeheartedly agree with Marcia. I may be putting words in Dr. G's

> mouth,

> but I think it has more to do with " drills " than anything. He believes

> that

> we should lower our expectations for our kids, especially in the area of

> behavior. As he's said to me about my son's behavior, it's OK if he's

> angry

> and frustrated, but it's not OK to lash out and hit, kick or bite. He

> feels

> it's important that we communicate this message effectively and

> consistently.

>

> Regarding ABA, I still have a 14 hour per week program with my son, but

> we've moved on to more life skills type of training. Luckily, I have only

> two therapists and my lead is also his case manager, so we develop his

> program together. Right now, we're using RPM to teach academic skills.

> Strict ABA just doesn't cut it with Noah anymore; we've really had to

> think

> outside the box. Unfortunately, Regional Center isn't the most flexible

> agency; we are limited to research-based interventions, of which RPM

> is not.

> But as Soma (the woman who developed RPM) says in her book, we can't

> afford

> to wait for 20 years of research--we need a program that we can use now.

>

> If ABA works for your child, I think it can be invaluable in helping them

> " catch up " to their NT peers. You know what works best. Follow your

> instincts!

>

> All the best,

>

> Robyn

>

>

>

> > From: Marcia Hinds <hindssite@...

> <mailto:hindssite%40verizon.net> <mailto:hindssite%40verizon.net>

> >

> > Subject: ABA is not a bad thing; just part of the whole

> answer for

> kids

> > marthawood@... <mailto:marthawood%40comcast.net>

> <mailto:marthawood%40comcast.net> ,

> <mailto:%40>

> <mailto:%40>

> > Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009, 8:01 AM

> > Martha stick with the ABA as long as it is being done

> > correctly. Good ABA

> > moves away from the Stimulus/Response model and onto good

> > teaching when the

> > kids are ready. My son is now recovered and we started

> > with ABA. Today

> > drives, has friends, and does all the things the

> > doctors told me he

> > would never do. now attends a university on a

> > half-ride academic

> > scholarship, studies Mechanical Engineering and has a 3.8

> > GPA. He joined

> > Sigma Chi Fraternity and has a ton of friends. (Who would

> > have seen that one

> > coming?)

> >

> >

> >

> > Dr. G is the best medically, however, he doesn't

> > understand about ABA. In

> > the past ABA was very negative and that is what Dr. G is

> > probably objecting

> > to. Although Dr G only wants the best for our kids, he

> > hasn't lived this

> > and doesn't understand that in order to get kids to

> > learn like other kids

> > you need compliance. Dr. G and I have argued about this

> > for years.

> >

> >

> >

> > Good ABA is mostly ignoring the negative and reinforcing

> > the positive. They

> > can't learn if they can't follow directions or be

> > treated like other kids.

> > Along with ABA you need to use parts of any method that

> > work or make sense;

> > ABA, RDI, floortime, or whatever. Unfortunately there is

> > not a simple

> > solution where one thing is the answer. If it were easy,

> > more kids would be

> > recovered. You have to trust your gut and do what you know

> > is best for your

> > child. No one is as invested in this or will work as hard

> > as you will to

> > help your child.

> >

> >

> >

> > We survived the Autism diagnosis; but it wasn't easy

> > and there were many

> > times I thought we weren't going to make it. There is

> > no magic pill to cure

> > your child. Trust me, I searched everywhere for it. If

> > you are expecting

> > an easy fix, and what you are looking for is that magic

> > bullet, you won't

> > find it in a boot camp or anywhere. But there are lots of

> > people promising

> > immediate cures with their hands out ready to take your

> > money. Our

> > desperation makes us easy targets.

> >

> >

> >

> > Helping my kid recover is the hardest thing I have ever

> > done. It took so

> > much strength to be more stubborn than he was. If I had

> > known in the

> > beginning he would get better as a result of the years of

> > hard work, I could

> > have continued without all the tears, frustration, and

> > hopelessness. But it

> > was extremely difficult to keep working at this, not

> > knowing if my family's

> > sacrifices and efforts were actually accomplishing

> > anything. It takes years

> > for them to get better. I am now in the process of writing

> > the book to help

> > all of you, but need a publisher or agent to help me. If

> > anyone has any

> > connections, let me know.

> >

> >

> >

> > Hope this helps.

> >

> > Marcia Hinds

> >

> > 805 497-8202

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >