[sld-forum] RE: sld-forum Digest, Vol 44, Issue 5

From: "marina brewerton" <maznboys at hotmail.com>

Dear Marina,

thanks for the reply.

Sadly (my belief) there are several groups of 'ABA' and 'CABAS' schools. 
Check the very
wealthy charity 'Treehouse Trust', director Virgina Bovell, also director of 
the National Autistic Society - it (ABA)  is a massive movement  that sadly 
permeates throughout the world of autism, nearly always taking the the side 
of the parent rather than advocating for the childs' welfare and advancement 
(especially regarding esteem and independence being hindered and impeded by 
this doctrine, for want of a better word) with 'compliance' being the main 
goal.

In my experience their curriculums are supposed to incorporate IEP's but 
each 'behavior' is 'targetted' as unwanted, even if it's a natural 
neurological reaction like hand flapping (that in my opinion comes naturally 
to ASD children and oughtn't be surpressed unless really offensive (?)) - 
they also are supposed to incorporate the National Curriculum too, but using 
'ABA' methodology to do so, which in these instances (within ABA schools) 
means '10 trial data' -most of the teaching is based on repetition ( if a 
child does something correct 10 times in a row, he gets a sweet for a reward 
or a verbal reward) In short it is very Pavlovian, in fact it is just 
Pavlovian.

It is very difficult to see precisely how they teach the children within 
schools as they command 24 hours notice prior to visits - even to parents 
and Ed Pyschs, they  keep all windows and shutters down to 'keep children 
from being distracted'. Having said that, sometimes two or three classroom 
assistants sit opposite two or three pupils using 'mands' 
(commands/requests) taking a 'negative' data if 10/10 isn't reached, eg a 
child doesn't get 12 piece puzzle correct for the 10th time that session.

They use 'backward chaining' too, it seems there is absolutely no room at 
all for the children to evolve a sense of self, independence, esteem, 
develop naturally  or anything positive.  The children come to learn that 
the word 'well done' and 'good work' -all praise, means nothing at all.  
When any progress is made, it is always attributed to the method, not the 
child.

I have alerted authorities, but they refuse to take action and are in favour 
of these parent-led schools, which really need an overhaul by the DRC etc 
etc in my opinion.

One child I know is SLD (CAPD too) non-verbal autistic after 10 years of 
'ABA' he is terrified not to attempt to imitate everything (the schools 
believe everything can be taught via imitation) except speech - it would be 
nice to have some laws in place to protect these children, some being forced 
into these schools only on the say-so of 'ABA experts' of whom virtually 
anyone can call themselves one, me included having been trained to 
'superviser level by several of these 'consultants' - some poeple running 
'ABA' agencies have been trained by ME.

The Behavioral Consultants don't have a great reputation either. I'm amazed 
these schools have been allowed to go on like this. There is a lot of 
psychological trickery involved for the sake of money and frankly, this 
'cutting edge' therapy (ancient, check 'patterning' from the 60's)  makes 
some parents feel overly optimistic for their childrens' future, I am 
hearing now from parents who began ABA as home programs 10 + years ago only 
for them to be complaining and panicking at 'regression' of their children . 
The children are getting angry and beginning to write in blogs (if you 
google 'Autism Diva' you'll find fascinating insight on ABA there too)

For more information on ABA from an autistic perspective, please search 
'Michelle Dawson' an autisitc adult attempting to expose ABA herself, via 
the Supreme Court of Canada where parents are demanding this 'therapy' as a 
Humna Right.

Her article 'The Misbehaviour of Behaviourists' I can vouch for, having 15 
years experience of the key players.

Advice on how to approach the schools and the government on exposing these 
kindly but misguided parents would be greatly appreciated. As it stands, 
basic psychologists are consulting over private schools that cover a range 
from mild Asperger to SLD non-verbal Autism - even Downs etc.

We're not talking about using appropriate 'positive reinfocement' or ABA as 
is used by LaVigna et al, the ABA schools actually, in my view, a violent 
abuse of SLD children and it requires urgent change now, in the meantime, 
anything I can send to the schools - links, papers, laws etc to help them 
understand the harm they are doing, would be greatly appreciated,

Regards,

Elizabeth Robillard

>From: "marina brewerton" <maznboys at hotmail.com>
>To: chelsea.finest at hotmail.co.uk, sld-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
>Subject: RE: [sld-forum] RE: sld-forum Digest, Vol 44, Issue 5
>Date: Sun, 06 May 2007 10:44:36 +0100
>MIME-Version: 1.0
>X-Originating-IP: [195.93.21.39]
>X-Originating-Email: [maznboys at hotmail.com]
>X-Sender: maznboys at hotmail.com
>Received: from bay0-omc3-s20.bay0.hotmail.com ([65.54.246.220]) by 
>bay0-imc1-s28.bay0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.2444); Sun, 
>6 May 2007 02:44:37 -0700
>Received: from hotmail.com ([65.55.155.110]) by 
>bay0-omc3-s20.bay0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.2668); Sun, 
>6 May 2007 02:44:37 -0700
>Received: from mail pickup service by hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; 
>Sun, 6 May 2007 02:44:37 -0700
>Received: from 65.55.155.123 by by144fd.bay144.hotmail.msn.com with 
>HTTP;Sun, 06 May 2007 09:44:36 GMT
>X-Message-Info: 
>LsUYwwHHNt3660MmjhEvYg2f34OAemlK+ZzoV09lDsZmbz8QigGIQtU5Yvr3lK0P
>X-OriginalArrivalTime: 06 May 2007 09:44:37.0492 (UTC) 
>FILETIME=[29234340:01C78FC3]
>Return-Path: maznboys at hotmail.com
>
>Hi Elizabeth,
>I am not entirely clear about what you need clarification on? My class 
>covers the 4 to 7yrs age range, which is Foundation stage and Key Stage 1. 
>They all have a diagnosis of Autism with Severe Learning Difficulties. I 
>like to give this background when replying to emails so that readers can 
>place my comments into some sort of context.
>I am not sure how this applies to 'parent-led schools' - I didn't know 
>there were any!
>As for 'ABA curriculums' - we follow the National Curriculum, heavily 
>adapted, to suit the needs of our pupils. I am not aware that ABA (applied 
>behaviour analysis) is a curriculum but more a theory and set of guidelines 
>on how to interpret and manage non-verbal behaviours. We use ABA techniques 
>with some of our pupils as necessary, and this does affect how their day is 
>timetabled and sometimes the content.
>I hope this helps,
>Marina
>Hillside, Brighton
>
>
>>From: "Elizabeth Lucy Robillard" <chelsea.finest at hotmail.co.uk>
>>To: sld-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
>>Subject: [sld-forum] RE: sld-forum Digest, Vol 44, Issue 5
>>Date: Sat, 05 May 2007 13:32:23 +0100
>>
>>Hi, please would someone explain
>>
>>'ASD Foundation and KS1 pupils with SLD' (links please?) how would we 
>>incorporate this (?) into ABA curriculums? We can't get the parent-led 
>>schools shut down! Children are really suffering from over-manipulation
>>
>>thanks for any info
>>
>>Elizabeth Robillard
>>
>>>From: sld-forum-request at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>Reply-To: sld-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>To: sld-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>Subject: sld-forum Digest, Vol 44, Issue 5
>>>Date: Sat, 05 May 2007 12:00:23 +0100
>>>MIME-Version: 1.0
>>>X-Originating-IP: [193.63.51.17]
>>>Received: from mail174.messagelabs.com ([85.158.138.51]) by 
>>>bay0-mc3-f20.bay0.hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.2668); Sat, 
>>>5 May 2007 04:00:25 -0700
>>>Received: (qmail 4399 invoked from network); 5 May 2007 11:00:23 -0000
>>>Received: from davinci.ngfl.gov.uk (HELO davinci.ngfl.gov.uk) 
>>>(193.63.51.17)  by server-10.tower-174.messagelabs.com with SMTP; 5 May 
>>>2007 11:00:23 -0000
>>>Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1] helo=davinci.ngfl.gov.uk)by 
>>>davinci.ngfl.gov.uk with esmtp (Exim 4.20)id 1HkHzy-0005O1-UF; Sat, 05 
>>>May 2007 12:00:23 +0100
>>>X-Message-Info: 
>>>LsUYwwHHNt24PBIj9DYgmhvbR8GWEF+Nw0eM8TDU7iywtUU/mNVv7J3vw3j8kn5b
>>>X-VirusChecked: Checked
>>>X-Env-Sender: sld-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>X-Msg-Ref: server-10.tower-174.messagelabs.com!1178362823!1842942!1
>>>X-StarScan-Version: 5.5.10.7.1; banners=-,-,-
>>>X-BeenThere: sld-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.2
>>>Precedence: list
>>>List-Id: For exchanging ideas about the education of learners with 
>>>severe,profound and multiple learning 
>>>difficulties<sld-forum.lists.becta.org.uk>
>>>List-Unsubscribe: 
>>><http://lists.becta.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/sld-forum>,<mailto:sld-forum-request at lists.becta.org.uk?subject=unsubscribe>
>>>List-Archive: <http://lists.becta.org.uk/pipermail/sld-forum>
>>>List-Post: <mailto:sld-forum at lists.becta.org.uk>
>>>List-Help: <mailto:sld-forum-request at lists.becta.org.uk?subject=help>
>>>List-Subscribe: 
>>><http://lists.becta.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/sld-forum>,<mailto:sld-forum-request at lists.becta.org.uk?subject=subscribe>
>>>Errors-To: sld-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>Return-Path: sld-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>X-OriginalArrivalTime: 05 May 2007 11:00:26.0113 (UTC) 
>>>FILETIME=[95E9FF10:01C78F04]
>>>
>>>Send sld-forum mailing list submissions to
>>>	sld-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>
>>>To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>>>	http://lists.becta.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/sld-forum
>>>or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>>	sld-forum-request at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>
>>>You can reach the person managing the list at
>>>	sld-forum-owner at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>
>>>When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>>>than "Re: Contents of sld-forum digest..."
>>>
>>>
>>>Today's Topics:
>>>
>>>    1. Notifications and Announcements (Jason Douglas)
>>>    2. RE: Complementary Therapies (marina brewerton)
>>>
>>>
>>>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>>Message: 1
>>>Date: Fri, 4 May 2007 14:44:39 +0100
>>>From: "Jason Douglas" <jason.douglas at becta.org.uk>
>>>Subject: [sld-forum] Notifications and Announcements
>>>To: <sld-forum at lists.becta.org.uk>
>>>Message-ID:
>>>	<0BAF375089C4A0479B63BEA1AF54A292031FDD19 at cov1mb2.becta.org.uk>
>>>Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"
>>>
>>>Dear All,
>>>
>>>This week's notice includes:
>>>
>>>1. DfES Workshops for primary schools, special schools and pupil
>>>referral units - summer term 2007.
>>>2. Vacancies: Teaching posts, Sir Charles Parsons School
>>>
>>>Full details below.
>>>
>>>If you have any announcements, information about courses, details of
>>>conferences, job vacancies that you would like included in future
>>>notices please email details to: sld-forum-owner at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>
>>>Regards,
>>>
>>>Jason
>>>Becta
>>>
>>>___________________________________
>>>
>>>1. DfES Workshops for primary schools, special schools and pupil
>>>referral units - summer term 2007.
>>>
>>>DfES Workshops for primary schools, special schools and pupil referral
>>>units - summer term 2007.
>>>
>>>'Promoting disability equality in schools' - a new section of
>>>'Implementing the Disability Discrimination Act in schools and early
>>>years settings' explains to schools how they can develop their
>>>Disability Equality Schemes.
>>>
>>>In the summer term, DfES are holding a series of workshops for primary
>>>schools, special schools and pupil referral units.  Attendees should
>>>include members of schools' senior management teams, governors and
>>>officers in local authorities with responsibility for supporting schools
>>>in meeting the Disability Equality Duty.
>>>
>>>The workshops are free and lunch will be provided, but delegates will
>>>need to meet all other expenses themselves such as travel.
>>>
>>>Delegates will benefit most from the event by bringing their current
>>>accessibility plans with them and details of any early work on their
>>>disability equality schemes.  During the workshops, delegates will have
>>>the opportunity to use criteria to assess the extent to which their
>>>school/authority is meeting the requirements of a scheme.
>>>
>>>To register for an event follow the link
>>>www.pauljamesassociates.co.uk/login.htm  using conference code 975837
>>>and password pdes. Alternatively, you can email the conference
>>>organisers at pdes at pauljamesassociates.co.uk or phone 0115 943 5589 for
>>>more information.
>>>
>>>
>>>___________________________________
>>>
>>>2. Vacancies: Teaching posts, Sir Charles Parsons School
>>>
>>>Advert - Teaching posts
>>>MAINSCALE + SEN1
>>>
>>>Sir Charles Parsons School is a secondary school (11 - 19) catering for
>>>students who have severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties.
>>>The school has enjoyed an exceptionally successful year.
>>>-An OFSTED inspection in October 2006 judged us to be an 'outstanding
>>>school'.
>>>-In January this year our bid to become a specialist science college was
>>>approved.
>>>-In March we opened a state of the art swimming pool designed to meet
>>>the needs of people with physical and other disabilities.
>>>
>>>The school is looking to appoint excellent classroom practitioners who
>>>are:
>>>-able to work as a member of a team with educational and other
>>>professionals, both from within and outside the school;
>>>-committed to improving the provision offered to our students through
>>>rigorous professional self review and development.
>>>
>>>Successful applicants will join a school:
>>>-with a friendly, supportive team ethos;
>>>-that provides excellent professional development opportunities;
>>>-that faces an exciting but challenging future.
>>>
>>>The school is seeking to appoint teachers to the following posts:
>>>-a teacher of English
>>>-a teacher of mathematics
>>>-a teacher of science
>>>-a teacher able to deliver a combination of music and physical education
>>>(This is a temporary contract for one year).
>>>
>>>Applications are welcomed, both from teachers with experience in
>>>teaching students with special educational needs, and from mainstream
>>>teachers who are interested in developing their expertise in this area.
>>>
>>>All applicants must hold relevant teaching qualifications. The school is
>>>strongly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
>>>and young people. The successful applicants will be required to
>>>undertake an enhanced CRB disclosure and a range of other recruitment
>>>checks. Potential applicants should be aware that Sir Charles Parsons is
>>>a 'no smoking' environment.
>>>
>>>Applications forms and further details can be obtained from Mrs Ann
>>>Taylor, Business Manager, Sir Charles Parsons School, Westbourne Avenue,
>>>Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4ED, Telephone: 0191 2630261, to whom
>>>they should be returned by the midday on 15th May 2007.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>------------------------------
>>>
>>>Message: 2
>>>Date: Sat, 05 May 2007 11:20:41 +0100
>>>From: "marina brewerton" <maznboys at hotmail.com>
>>>Subject: RE: [sld-forum] Complementary Therapies
>>>To: Cathihowell at aol.com, sld-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
>>>Message-ID: <BAY144-F3930868C4D08CD11493A51D0470 at phx.gbl>
>>>Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
>>>
>>>Hi Cathi,
>>>I have a class of ASD Foundation and KS1 pupils with SLD.
>>>We use a huge amount of Sensory Integration with our class. We have been
>>>lucky to have excellent OT support and many of our class have specific
>>>sensory diets.
>>>This has had a knock on effect with the other pupils as they get SI type
>>>work because the equipment (ball pool, bean bags, wedges, physio balls,
>>>wobble cushions etc.) is available in the classroom; and the staff have a
>>>good understanding of how it works.
>>>For a couple of our pupils this has had a profound effect on their 
>>>mobility,
>>>motor planning and general levels of arousal.
>>>We also have a part-time music therapist who does individual pupil 
>>>sessions
>>>and then some class sessions on a rolling programme. However when it's 
>>>not
>>>our 'turn' we continue the same type of sessions with the class group.
>>>Marina
>>>Hillside, Brighton
>>>
>>>
>>> >From: Cathihowell at aol.com
>>> >To: sld-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
>>> >Subject: [sld-forum] Complementary Therapies
>>> >Date: Thu, 3 May 2007 10:21:19 EDT
>>> >
>>> >As part of my teaching role I have been asked to develop the provision 
>>>and
>>> >use of complementary therapies within individual learninhg programmes. 
>>>Our
>>> >school population is SLD, PMLD, ASD, MLD, EBD.
>>> >I am interested in Sensory Integration and have done some work in this
>>> >area.
>>> >I would appreciate knowing what other people are doing in their 
>>>schools.
>>> >Many thanks
>>> >
>>> >Cathi Howell
>>> >Edith Borthwick,
>>> >Essex
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>>_________________________________________________________________
>>>Could you be the guest MSN Movies presenter? Click Here to Audition
>>>http://www.lightscameraaudition.co.uk
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>End of sld-forum Digest, Vol 44, Issue 5
>>>****************************************
>>
>>_________________________________________________________________
>>Could you be the guest MSN Movies presenter? Click Here to Audition 
>>http://www.lightscameraaudition.co.uk
>>
>>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Solve the Conspiracy and win fantastic prizes.  
>http://www.theconspiracygame.co.uk/
>

_________________________________________________________________
MSN Hotmail is evolving - check out the new Windows Live Hotmail 
http://get.live.com/betas/mail_betas