Insights from an Autistic: ABA, Speech Therapy, Medication, Acting, & other Treatments and Cures

[Neilgs]

affect sensory processing strengths and challenges (vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, auditory, visual-spatial individual differences) and caregiver relationship patterns (i.e., following the child's lead; adjusting to differences in their processing temperament, in order to lengthen and deepen spontaneous MEANINGFUL engagement. Approaches such as DIR/Floortime has extensive neuroscientific support with respect to strengthening neuronal connectivity (e.g., prefrontal cortex/limbic system,etc

[TamaHoover]

Thank you Arman, you have put a lot of work and effort into this video and it has helped me.

[armankhodaei]

@TamaHoover You are are very welcome :)

[niagrawater]

Hey, thanks, I needed info about ABA for my high functioning autistic five year old. You are a good looking, articulate young man! Good job!

[armankhodaei]

@niagrawater Thank you :)

[alliecat1987]

There are hundreds of published journals of research that demonstrate that ABA is an effective means of treatment for individuals with autism.  Also, as anomaluigi mentioned, nothing is "forced" and incidental learning environments are contrived as often as possible for naturalistic teaching. I see what you mean about bringing the child in to your world, rather than getting in to their world, but I think if you have a good instructor therapist, they will make an effort to do both :)

[armankhodaei]

I think the biggest thing with ABA really has to do with the therapist more than anything else.

[alliecat1987]

I agree 100%.

[AutieParentsUnited]

aba made my son aggressive, so i stopped it after a year. he is happy & non-violent again. he really likes speech therapy, occupational therapy , play therapy, floor time, & son-rise. ive never heard of the brain gym or scope it. i will have to check them out. have you ever heard of hyperbaric oxygen therapy? i never tried it with my son, but i heard it's awesome.

[armankhodaei]

Yes, I have heard of hyperbaric oxygen treatment. To be honest, I'm surprised that I forgot about it. I've actually wanted to get some treatments done for myself. It sounds really fascinating.

[anomaluigi]

ABA is not classical conditioning. ABA does not force anything on the child. But rather, it employs positive reinforcement to teach skills that the typically developing child would learn from his or her natural environment. Hyperbarics is most commonly used in sports medicine to treat injuries. There is no research to support its relevance to treating children with Autism. A lot of people have misconceptions about ABA and many agencies that claim to practice it, don't do it justice.

[armankhodaei]

You have some good points. But, as you stated many agencies that claim to practice ABA just don't do it justice. I've seen ABA videos where the person is forcing the child. In theory, ABA is a nice practice, but it really depends on who is doing it.

[Neilgs]

@anomaluigi However, it is operant conditioning, In a word it is largely robotic training on cue, although becomes a bit less so with PRT.. As a Developmental therapist who extensively works with children and families who have been diagnosed with ASD. ABA is NOT just somewhat but entirely misleading, despite the claim of its evidence based, peer-reviewed data. The 1987 Lovaas seminal study which evinced a 47% success rate, e.g., did not have random assignment, etc. Seriously flawed. The...

[Neilgs]

evidence, subsequently which is voluminous and peer-reviewed DOES NOT measure the core underlying challenges, which is a little word called, AFFECT. Look up, for example, Dr, Stanley Greenspan Affect diathesis. The underlying core challenges are NOT compliance to surface based task, with the BS of re-enforced social and environmental contingencies. Rather is the ability for each child (or older) to pleasurable engage in affect reciprocal gestural and verbal circles of communication,...

[superautism]

Do you work with kids with autism? I think I remember you saying something about that, what method do you use with the kids if so? :)

[armankhodaei]

The methods I use with each kid varies, but essentially I'm just there with them. I understand autism differently. I'm not yet at the level where I know how to communicate exactly but I just understand what is going on in their minds, so I can communicate on their level. I guess you can say that I have my own special method.