Clinical recommendations for ABA hours?

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SpiderJ
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15 Nov 2010, 1:55 pm

My daughter's approaching her 6-month evaluation, and we'd like to add some hours to her IFSP. Right now she's getting 19.5 hours/week, all of which is essentially ABA.

I've read recommendations of 25 hours (National Research Council in 2001) and 40 hours (Lovaas Institute). Does anyone have any links to other clinical/evidence based recommendations? I'd like to have the paperwork to back us up if we run into resistance.

Thanks!



claudia
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16 Nov 2010, 4:23 am

My son started ABA 3 weeks ago. I got some information about how much hours therapy should last, and the answer is around 40 hours a week.
You can read my presentation post in the welcome section and you will find the answer of a person that has done ABA as a child and helped me to decide.
That amount of hours has scientific basis, Lovaas published some scientific articles about it.



nostromo
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16 Nov 2010, 4:47 am

Our boys doing about 25, during the week. He handles that fine, we would do more if we could find someone to do some work with him on the weekends.



DW_a_mom
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16 Nov 2010, 11:35 am

We have not done ABA but knowing what my son was like at that age, and what he needed most, I will add this one caution: don't allow the perceived need for therapy to override your child's other needs, which include time one on one with the people who love him, and time left alone to pursue his own interests.

I cannot imagine forcing my child into 40 structured hours a week; he would freak out over it. All his gifts have developed in the time he has been free, and those gifts are his tickets to being independent as an adult. Plus, he has always had self-calming routines that keep him emotionally stable; without the ability to pace for an hour, for example, he would be more inclined to meltdown.

I realize it is a totally different situation if you have a child that you fear may never accomplish even the most basic things, like communicating what they need, but those kids still have needs, and I believe that you get a window on what those needs might be when you look at children on the spectrum who can and do communicate.

Which kind of all adds up to this for me: don't chuck your parental instinct, and your understanding of your child and his unique needs, out the window based on a guideline developed by someone not living your child's life. Choose the level of therapy that seems to suit your unique child best.


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Mom to an amazing young adult AS son, plus an also amazing non-AS daughter. Most likely part of the "Broader Autism Phenotype" (some traits).


SpiderJ
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16 Nov 2010, 8:23 pm

Thanks, guys. I'm pretty sure my daughter could handle 25-30 hours a week without too much trouble, if we managed it well. She really enjoys her sessions.

My big concern is selling the increase to the team. I'm not getting good vibes from them...