Any advice please

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My son has been diagnosed with Aspergers or Asperger like syndrome or autistic traits depending on which doctor or psychologist we are going to. Meanwhile, I feel so sad and stressed. My son is out of school. We have been offered no support at all. I thought there would be some help - speech therapy, social skills etc but nothing - just anti depressants and hopeless counselling that was worse than useless. I am considering ABA. My son liked the people there when we went to visit. I was wondering whether anyone has any experience of ABA in older teens. It is very expensive and I would like to know whether it is worthwhile.

Also how to cope with the meltdowns, his agression, the stress and sadness.
Is there really no help for young people with this? What about schooling?

How old is your son?

What does he feel about all of this? What area of the planet do you hail from?

Why is he out of school? What is he like, really I don't think anyone can dish out one size fits all advice to you, some details are needed...

This gal makes a lot of sense, she usually does, tell us more about the situation and we may be able to offer sound advice.

About feeling sad and confused, very normal, you are not alone. Please do respond.

KItts22,
I can't offer much help right now, but just thought I would tell you I am in the middle of this as well with my 16 yr old. It's very scary and confusing and the help seems non existent, but you will find help here. Everyone here has been wonderful to me and so helpful. The insight into my son's world that everyone her has provided me has been invaluable in my understanding his behaviors and as a result has made it easier at times to help him stop certain ones or lessen them. It has also helped me to learn to nuture any of the good things that he does no matter how different or odd they may seem because that is who he is and these are the things that make him happy. So I just wanted youto know you are not alone, and you have found a good place. Good Luck.

The first paediatrician we saw wanted to put my then 6 year old son on Zoloft and send him to an anxiety programme (which is designed for NT kids).

So I ditched this paediatrician and am trying another one next week.

Can you contact your local autism society and ask for 'Asperger friendly' paediatricians?

It is normal to feel sad and stressed when you know your son is not getting the right type of help. I was the same.

Now my 7 year is going 1/week to an Asperger's/Autism specialist clinic and homeschooling 1 day/week he is settling down. I am continually battling the school to do anything, but as I win each battle he settles down further.

Can you tell us more about your son please?

Hi everyone thanks for your kind words and sorry it has taken me a while to get back here.se at present. My son It is a bit crazy in our house at present.
My son is 16. He was badly bullied and became depressed and threatened self harm. He just stopped going to school after some serious incidents of bullying that he school would not accept or deal with.e
We are in the UK.
The rABA psych wants us to go to usa for teatment.

Do you think it is possible for him to self or homeschool?

Kitts22, educate me, I'm from the USA and not sure what the ABA is or why they want you to go to usa for treatment. Would such a trip be financially feasible for you?

I know you have your hands full so will watch this thread for further posts.

ABA is applied behavioural analysis.
Has anyone else here tried it at all? Any opinions please?

I am a little confused, sorry.

What is it you are asking for an opinion on? Should you do ABA? Or should you go to the US for treatment? What sort of treatment? ABA?

Are you planning to relocate to the US?

I don't know a lot about ABA, but this is what I have heard:

1.) It is something most parents put their kids in for years. It becomes a way of life, sort of like 1,2,3 magic or any other behavior program. Kids may have intensive training "sessions" but it is best if the principles of the program are maintained throughout the rest of the day for a child too. I may be wrong about this, but I know there is a lot of screaming here for teachers and educational assistants to be trained in ABA therapy themselves to incorporate its practices into the classroom.

2.) There are two types of ABA, one uses reward and punishment, the other only reward. I really am not comfortable with any program that involves punishment.

3.) A 16 year old needs to play an integral role in whatever treatment course you choose. They need to be an active willing participant or else it is not going to work.

4.) The balance of medications can play a significant role in how a teen with aspergers functions, this can be a very postive or negative change, depending on the drugs and how the individual reacts to them. There is a thread here about Anti Psychotic meds nearly ruining a 17 year old boy, very good read.

Honestly, I would think a trip to the States would be very expensive, and unless you are relocating to live in the states, probably not going to have a long lasting enough program to make a huge difference, unless there is something really wrong with your son right now, again, see the thread mentioned above!

I have a hard time believing you can't find decent treatment in the UK. You should post for clinics on your sons behalf in General Chat, you will get a chance to hear from more members who live in the UK, many of them younger people DX'ed with AS.

EDIT: here is a direct link to the thread!

http://www.wrongplanet.net/modules.php? ... ic&t=33884