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[Melodie Pilloud]

Hello Graham & Thor, Thank you very much for your responce to my opening letter to the group. May I ask a couple of question… I was wondering how much all of the ABA therapy costs per month as I am on social assistance and haven't any money at all. I did try to talk with my worker and she informed me that we will have to pay for everything including the test. Do you know if any of this is true? I am worried that Ty will not receive the care he may need or that someone will want to take him from me just because I do not have money for therapy etc.. Thank you again for taking the time to write to me. Melodie & Ty

[Graham Egli]

Melodie,

Re: your son Ty diagnosis. My son was diagnosed when he was around 2 when he went into hospital for a serious viral infection. While there I casually mentioned to a doctor that Thor (my son) did not talk much. He observed Thor and told me I should have him checked for autism. Until then I had no idea he was autistic, as he looked normal and since was a baby I thought he just was slower to talk than his brother had been. In any event he eventually was diagnosed as having autistic spectrum. The diagnosis took a long time to obtain as he was put on waiting lists to obtain one. Then he also had to eliminate other possible items such as deafness by taking hearing tests etc. Once I had the diagnosis I was in shock and confusion as I did not understand what exactly was wrong with Thor, it is not like a fever or broken leg that you see understand and know how to have fixed. After many calls to support groups, government services and seeing doctor after doctor along with reading on autism I started to understand and began the process to set up ABA therapy. This too is an adventure trying to find and secure consultants, therapists organizing training etc. The good news was that being diagnosed young gave Thor at least a chance of recovery. Thor has been in ABA for 2 years now and though it has been stressfull in many ways on him and the family, he is making progress and he is improving. How far will he develop, I am not sure, but he does keep moving forward each week so I remain hopeful. My advice is start Ty in ABA therapy if he recieves the diagnosis of autism and in meantime read and talk to others and learn all you can. Keep going and keep hope, Ty can be helped with time and effort and attention. Graham (Thor's Dad)

[Melodie Pilloud]

Hello, I am very new to all of this and am not sure where to start. My son Ty is waiting to be tested for autism. The doctor told me that if he is autistic… he is not very autistic. I am not sure what that means. I am not sure of the questions I should be asking him… and sometimes when I leave his office I feel more mixed up than ever. If anyone can tell me what it was like before your child was tested or any advice at all for me I would love to hear from you. Thank you for your time, Melodie

[Elaine Gee]

Hi,
I am interested in observing an ABA therapy session at your home (preferably in the Richmond area) as I will be starting one myself. I am available during the weekends and after 7:30 pm anyday. Thanks.

[Deleted User]

Also regarding teaching music:

My Mom is a piano teacher in Ontario, and she teaches both traditional piano and Suzuki-style piano. For some reason, she keeps getting students who have various challenges, and last year (when I was still living at home) began teaching a little boy who has hyperlexia (and his behaviours get better on a GFCF diet, but he's becoming 'more autistic' as he gets older). She uses the Suzuki method with him.

Obviously this child is pretty high functioning – he's VERY verbal, but he's also very stuck on his routines. To get him to practice, Mom started him on a token economy – he practices each piece the proper number of times between lessons and he gets a penguin sticker (something I keep her supplied with).

The nice thing about the Suzuki method is that it is, at its most basic level, ABA. I'm going to be doing training in June to be able to teach Early Childhood Suzuki music classes, and I've helped my Mom teach them before. The things Suzuki wrote about in his books ARE ABA. Now, obviously, this is my opinion, and probably a developmental psychologist would say the opposite – but that's what I, personally, like about the method, as an ABA therapist.

Mom is continually telling me about her students, and often will ask me what sorts of things she should try next to help them learn – she especially asks about this one little boy.

The other nice thing about Suzuki that I think is good for children who are very visual learners (as many children with autism are) is that it's auditorally (sp?) based. The children initially learn to play by listening to a CD of the pieces they're learning. Eventually they learn to read music separately from the pieces they're playing (reading and playing at the same time is really hard!), and finally to do both at the same time. The music also follows a logical progression, from folk tunes that are simple to play and probably already in the child's mind, to the typical classical pieces by Beethoven et al.

Finally, there are not only Suzuki early childhood classes (which involve the child and a parent with a number of other children with their parents), but Suzuki methods for many different instruments, from piano to guitar to violin etc. My plan is to run 'baby classes' specifically geared towards special needs children.

More information about the Suzuki method of teaching music can be found at http://suzukiassociation.org

-Janna, ABA therapist

[Deleted User]

Also regarding teaching music:

My Mom is a piano teacher in Ontario, and she teaches both traditional piano and Suzuki-style piano. For some reason, she keeps getting students who have various challenges, and last year (when I was still living at home) began teaching a little boy who has hyperlexia (and his behaviours get better on a GFCF diet, but he's becoming 'more autistic' as he gets older). She uses the Suzuki method with him.

Obviously this child is pretty high functioning – he's VERY verbal, but he's also very stuck on his routines. To get him to practice, Mom started him on a token economy – he practices each piece the proper number of times between lessons and he gets a penguin sticker (something I keep her supplied with).

The nice thing about the Suzuki method is that it is, at its most basic level, ABA. I'm going to be doing training in June to be able to teach Early Childhood Suzuki music classes, and I've helped my Mom teach them before. The things Suzuki wrote about in his books ARE ABA. Now, obviously, this is my opinion, and probably a developmental psychologist would say the opposite – but that's what I, personally, like about the method, as an ABA therapist.

Mom is continually telling me about her students, and often will ask me what sorts of things she should try next to help them learn – she especially asks about this one little boy.

The other nice thing about Suzuki that I think it good for children who are very visual learners (as many children with autism are) is that it's auditorally (sp?) based. The children initially learn to play by listening to a CD of the pieces they're learning. Eventually they learn to read music separately from the pieces they're playing (reading and playing at the same time is really hard!), and finally to do both at the same time. The music also follows a logical progression, from folk tunes that are simple to play and probably already in the child's mind, to the typical classical pieces by Beethoven et al.

Finally, there are not only Suzuki early childhood classes (which involve the child and a parent with a number of other children with their parents), but Suzuki methods for many different instruments, from piano to guitar to violin etc. My plan is to run 'baby classes' specifically geared towards special needs children.

More information about the Suzuki method of teaching music can be found at http://suzukiassociation.org

-Janna, ABA therapist

[Sabrina Freeman]

Re: Teaching Music using ABA

I would like to offer some comments on the recent post regarding teaching music using ABA. My thoughts are not based on any studies on the subject but are simply based on personal experience with my own child.

I have a great deal of experience using ABA for music with Miki. She loves music and learned everything she knows about it with the help of ABA. She learned to play the piano through imitation exercises and learned how to read music in much the same way one would teach a child with autism to learn the alphabet (flash cards, etc.). We relied heavily on discrete trial training, among other ABA techniques, and to this day Miki uses backward chaining when practicing her piano pieces.

We started with a very open-minded piano teacher who was happy to work with a therapist. The piano teacher soon internalized the techniques and understood how to use behavior plans we had in place. At the beginning it was difficult and at times very trying. For example, my daughter had her own ideas about how a given piece should end, but had to learn and accept that one must play the piece as it is written. Over time, the structure of music helped her excel and she is now very good at it. We have used ABA for every other instrument she has learned since then (and there are six).

Music has also created a socially acceptable leisure activity. When Miki is not playing an instrument, she may be at her i-Mac computer, playing and modifying music tracks on the screen, using an attached piano keyboard, 'MIDI' interface and composition software. In addition, through music she has had structured activities that other children are involved in. Over the years, she has participated in musical groups that play in public. Working on an innate strength, as well as all the autism related deficits, was in retrospect was a very good idea. Music not only established competence amongst peers but also brings happiness.

Some thoughts about when to start: I’d make sure the child has mastered simple imitation skills, is somewhat compliant and seems to enjoy music. In addition, I wouldn’t teach the child to read music until the child has mastered reading (decoding) English, although I’m sure some could debate that point.

Good luck!

Sabrina
(Miki’s mom)

[Deleted User]

Thank you very much Dee Dee, we were hoping that some parents had such experiences. We want our child (son – 41 months) to have as well rounded experience as we can safely provide him. This defintely makes the decision process easier. Thanks again for your sound helpful advice.

[Deleted User]

I don't believe you stated in your posting whether your child with autism is male or female. I am the parent of a son with autism and I have been fortunate to have had a male therapy team member for over 3 years. We are now in the process of having to replace him as he is leaving in the fall to attend university in the states. I would like to clone him as his presence will be greatly missed. My son is 10 years old and this young man has been his buddy and role model for 3 years. It helps that this therapist has amazing skills, great instincts and is very fun, energetic and reinforcing to my son. It also balances out all the female direction he gets at school and in his home program. I would very much like to add another male therapist to our team but they are few and far between. I will always use my instincts when hiring and more importantly CHECK REFERENCES. And certainly don't eliminate the potential of male therapists just because they are male or you may be depriving your child of a valuable person in their life. I speak from experience.

Regards,

Dee Dee

[Deleted User]

Hello,

We are in the process of adding more therapists to our team and have received a few applicants from male students. We have gotten the impression that "traditionally" the team is usually comprised of females. Does anyone have any male therapists on their team and do you find that they are as compassionate or have the same fine tuned instincts that women do with children. Now before someone gets the wrong idea and is thinking about Barbequing me — I am not discriminating against men or anything so riduculous we don't even have any experience with male babysisters so we don't know what to expect. I think that a male might offer a totally different perspective and have a unique way to reinforce (eg: more high 5's, etc..). Any help or insight would be most appreciated. Also is there anyone that would be a little hesistant to hire a male over a female if both candidates were equally qualified?
Thank you.

[Author]

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