My child was finally diagnosed around 2.5 years. The psychiatrist explained he would eventually need to be medicated and live in a home. I had no idea what autism was and thought the psychiatrist was nuts. My wife was devastated. A few years later after trusting the program recommendations from the regional centers and the school district he was on his way to medication and living in a home. We had tried all sorts of programs and saw no improvement. His kindergarten teacher didn't want to change his diapers so he was put in a 3 month ABA program that came to our home. Within a week or two he was toilet trained and after a month was talking. That was all we needed to see. After that we fought for a good ABA program in the home and school. Today he is a junior in a major University getting great grades, living on his own, and has some really good friends.
My suggestion. Get a good ABA program and focus on early intervention. There are lots of programs that call themselves ABA programs, but here is what I found makes up a good ABA program.
ABA programs have program managers that develop a program on the person’s needs. An ABA program manager has to have a BCBA. The parents/caregiver works with the program manager and therapist and work on the program in different environments (home, school and community). Only positive reinforcements are used.
The program needs to be very flexible with constant data tracking, planning and ongoing assessments. The parents/caregiver are trained in the methodology and the therapists receive extensive training before as well as ongoing. Team meetings happen regularly including all the therapists and parent/caregivers. There are times when you will have a therapist that isn’t right for the program and you will need to switch them quickly.
ABA isn’t easy. It requires work from the parents to try and set up play dates or outing, but in the end ABA is the only scientifically proven methodology to reduce problematic behaviors, improve attention, focus, social skills, academics and increases language and communication skills. Very few people actually have a real ABA program. Lots of companies and all schools do not have an ABA program.
Overall it is much more important to have a good intensive ABA program that works at home as well as school. If not studies show a good ABA program is way better then anything else.
Before you start an ABA program these questions should be asked: