#055: Is ABA Therapy Right For Your Autistic Child? with Rebecca Shellito

Is ABA therapy the right choice for your autistic child? Today Rebecca Shellito, mother, wife, nurse, and non-profit organizer join me to share her family's autism journey.

Rebecca’s son Nico received his autism diagnosis shortly before his third birthday and by 4 years old he was in full-time ABA therapy. They were incredibly lucky to find a local provider, covered by insurance that they were comfortable with. I know some clients and friends personally that drive to see their preferred provider outside of their local area. Wherever your provider is, comfortability is key.  Speak up. Ask questions. Don’t stop until you feel comfortable.

ABA comes with so many logistics and scientific terms. As a parent, it can feel like a foreign language and be both overwhelming and intimidating. Rebecca took my online course, Help Me Find My Voice, early on in Nico’s ABA journey, and she said it changed the game. The course gave her the confidence to interact with Nico’s therapists and truly understand everything that was happening. No longer did she feel like a sidebar they had to break things down for but more of an active participant in her son’s therapy team.

Starting full-time ABA at the age of 4, Nico is now 9 and has seen some real progress. Beginning in a developmental preschool and then regular preschool with an ABA aide, he has now fully moved into a traditional elementary school. Nico is in 3rd grade and participates in general education for half his day and a more restrictive environment in special ed the other half. Rebecca plans to enroll him in some ABA after-school programs and playgroups in the future.

No matter how prepared you are, getting the diagnosis of autism for your child can be overwhelming. Rebecca shares some great advice for parents and families just beginning their journey with autism and ABA. You can learn all about the great things she’s doing through her non-profit Uniquely Nico, where she supports parents and autistic children.

#autism #speechtherapy

What’s Inside:

• Is ABA the right choice for your autistic child?
• How to find the right provider for ABA therapy?
• How progress through ABA can transform your child’s life?
• How the Help Me Find My Voice course can help families.

Mentioned In This Episode:

Uniquely Nico
Uniquely Nico on Facebook
Uniquely Nico on Instagram
ABA Speech: Home
ABA SPEECH Your Autism Resource
Best Strategies in 2022 To Reach Your Autistic Students