Unnamed Company (the same for-profit company I mentioned earlier) has a reputation "as one of the world’s largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism," according to multiple sources. I personally know some of the therapists that work for this Unnamed Company, and they are genuine and loving people. However, I question the validity of this company's self proclaimed effectiveness and experience. (I will not disclose the company's name until I have further investigated and am ready to publish my findings. I will refer to it, instead as Unnamed Company).
What are the qualifications to be employed as an ABA Therapist for Unnamed Company? According to their own sources, you must be "pursuing a degree in psychology, education, early childhood development, or related field." Not obtained--pursuing. That leaves the door wide open for many people who may have once taken a psychology class at a community college but dropped out mid semester. That's "pursuing" a degree in psychology, right?
Here's more: this apparently top-notch company provides their new hires with one week of training before they are given the prestigious sounding title of "ABA Therapist." After one so-called "comprehensive" week of training, these pseudo-professionals walk into a family's home offering therapy services to children all over the autism spectrum. Parents are then expected to look to these individuals as the "experts," because of course years of raising your own child with autism means nothing compared to a week of sitting in some powerpoint lectures.
Sadly, the state isn't going to question any ABA company's validity at this point because they are are enjoying autism as a job creation opportunity. Autism has become quite the trendy field to work in. Beyond the trend, however, is a serious developmental disorder. Autism is complex, widespread, and varying (hence "spectrum") disorder that beckons proper scientific, medical, and psychological research. It is not a study that can be mastered, or even vaguely grasped in one week, even on a practical treatment level.
The more I find out about this, the more I am moved to speak out. This Unnamed-Reputable -Company apparently thinks that it is permissible for an individual to conduct intensive behavioral therapy for autistic children after one week of training. They have reduced the science of ABA to a few quick-and-dirty methods, and reduced the study of autism as a means to make money.
A BCBA is a legitimate degree for someone to have in the field of autism. While it is still not regulated, it is an education worth something. I had the opportunity to work directly under a BCBA to provide Verbal Behavior/ABA work for her own son who had autism. I am nowhere near an expert, I was merely a shadow who had the chance to learn a few things from constant training and supervision under my employer's expertise.
At the Sacramento branch of Unnamed Company, not one person holds a BCBA--not the therapists, senior therapists, case managers, case supervisors, or senior supervisor. Does this company legitimately believe they are giving children with autism the best possible services they can provide?
Am I loony for thinking this is messed up?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Get Rich Quick! How State-funded ABA Companies are Exploiting Children with Autism
I smell a scam.
State government and healthcare agencies have decided that the cost of providing behavioral intervention for children with autism will cost 70,000 annually per child. This number was reached under the assumption that therapy will take place 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, and that qualified therapists will be paid according to their value. Sounds good?
The catch: In the field of ABA, there is no gage to measure the "quality" of a program or the qualifications of a therapist. There is no mandatory overseeing board that certifies someone as an ABA therapist or approves a company for ABA services. Almost literally, anyone can start an ABA company.
It's almost too easy! Cut the child's hours from 40 hours a week to 25 (as many companies do), naturally dodge service for children all 52 weeks of the year (what parent wants their kids in therapy on Thanksgiving day, etc), and hire anyone off the street and label them as ABA therapists, consultants, case managers, etc, and pay them significantly less then a qualified, educated therapist is worth, and bam, you have a business with a high profit margin all in the name of helping children.
To plug in some numbers, we can see approximately what that profit margin is: If the ninteen-year-old unqualified "therapists" make 13 dollars an hour, servicing families about 25 hours a week and 49 weeks a year, the cost of the therapy program is less than 16,000 for the company.
I called an agency to ask if they were a registered 501-c-3, and after repeating myself five times to clarify what I meant by that, I simplified the question, "A you a non-profit or a for-profit agency?"
Turns out, they are a for-profit company. This means that the profit margin does not go back into the company's services but rather into the hands of the executives and shareholders. Don't forget that the bulk of their profit comes from state-funding (aka taxpayers).
I have seen the type of services these companies offer to desperate families, and it is a joke. Of course, it's a joke that isn't very funny. Having unqualified individuals run 1:1 therapy is often more detrimental for the family than helpful.
Clearly, a change must be made. There needs to be certification of these companies. They need to be scrutinized by a board before the government hands them taxpayer monies. Therapists should be liscenced or approved. Parents deserve to be made aware of their options. Autistic children have the right to the best possible therapy they can get.
My research for this topic has just begun, and I have found that there is very little information on this topic online. (I have a feeling these companies have some pretty good lawyers).
Scams occur all the time. But for some reason, when families of autistic children are exploited at the expense of taxpayers...That curls my blood.
State government and healthcare agencies have decided that the cost of providing behavioral intervention for children with autism will cost 70,000 annually per child. This number was reached under the assumption that therapy will take place 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, and that qualified therapists will be paid according to their value. Sounds good?
The catch: In the field of ABA, there is no gage to measure the "quality" of a program or the qualifications of a therapist. There is no mandatory overseeing board that certifies someone as an ABA therapist or approves a company for ABA services. Almost literally, anyone can start an ABA company.
It's almost too easy! Cut the child's hours from 40 hours a week to 25 (as many companies do), naturally dodge service for children all 52 weeks of the year (what parent wants their kids in therapy on Thanksgiving day, etc), and hire anyone off the street and label them as ABA therapists, consultants, case managers, etc, and pay them significantly less then a qualified, educated therapist is worth, and bam, you have a business with a high profit margin all in the name of helping children.
To plug in some numbers, we can see approximately what that profit margin is: If the ninteen-year-old unqualified "therapists" make 13 dollars an hour, servicing families about 25 hours a week and 49 weeks a year, the cost of the therapy program is less than 16,000 for the company.
I called an agency to ask if they were a registered 501-c-3, and after repeating myself five times to clarify what I meant by that, I simplified the question, "A you a non-profit or a for-profit agency?"
Turns out, they are a for-profit company. This means that the profit margin does not go back into the company's services but rather into the hands of the executives and shareholders. Don't forget that the bulk of their profit comes from state-funding (aka taxpayers).
I have seen the type of services these companies offer to desperate families, and it is a joke. Of course, it's a joke that isn't very funny. Having unqualified individuals run 1:1 therapy is often more detrimental for the family than helpful.
Clearly, a change must be made. There needs to be certification of these companies. They need to be scrutinized by a board before the government hands them taxpayer monies. Therapists should be liscenced or approved. Parents deserve to be made aware of their options. Autistic children have the right to the best possible therapy they can get.
My research for this topic has just begun, and I have found that there is very little information on this topic online. (I have a feeling these companies have some pretty good lawyers).
Scams occur all the time. But for some reason, when families of autistic children are exploited at the expense of taxpayers...That curls my blood.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
For Those Who Cannot Speak
I love autistic people.
I hang out with autistic kids more than I do friends my age.
While it is a challenge to understand how they are thinking at times, I get immense satisfaction from seeing their minds work.
They're not stupid; they just think differently than the rest of us "neurotypicals."
It breaks my heart to see the abuse that goes in our state towards individuals with autism. While a lot of positive progress has been made in the last few decades, a lot of awful things still go on behind the curtains. Even some organizations designed to teach and train autistic children are exploiting taxpayer monies and manipulating very, very desperate families.
It's a complicated mess. I am working on an investigation to look deeper into the issue and, hopefully, advocate for change. I will post details later.
Everyday I wrestle with anger over the situation. I feel helpless. I do not possess the expertise to make the impact that I want to.
Today I read this passage, and found it encouraging.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitue.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Proverbs 31:8-9
The author uses the words "speak up" which were very meaningful to me beacuse autistic people, quite literally, "cannot speak for themselves." They are brilliant people, bound by the limitations of their verbal skills.
Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
You most likely know someone with autism. I encourage you to get to know them and their families. Find out what their needs are. They are interesting, lovable, and fun people. Do just a little research on the disorder-a quick search online will help you in your communication with them. Attend an "Autism Speaks" event. A tiny bit of effort will go a long way. You will be a part of a great movement.
I recommend the book, "Thinking in Pictures" by Temple Grandin. It is an amazing story of an autistic woman who went on to invent major dairy farm equipment that our nation now uses. She perfected an equipment that no "neurotypical" had been able to do.
I am challenged to use my God-given voice to speak up.
I hang out with autistic kids more than I do friends my age.
While it is a challenge to understand how they are thinking at times, I get immense satisfaction from seeing their minds work.
They're not stupid; they just think differently than the rest of us "neurotypicals."
It breaks my heart to see the abuse that goes in our state towards individuals with autism. While a lot of positive progress has been made in the last few decades, a lot of awful things still go on behind the curtains. Even some organizations designed to teach and train autistic children are exploiting taxpayer monies and manipulating very, very desperate families.
It's a complicated mess. I am working on an investigation to look deeper into the issue and, hopefully, advocate for change. I will post details later.
Everyday I wrestle with anger over the situation. I feel helpless. I do not possess the expertise to make the impact that I want to.
Today I read this passage, and found it encouraging.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitue.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Proverbs 31:8-9
The author uses the words "speak up" which were very meaningful to me beacuse autistic people, quite literally, "cannot speak for themselves." They are brilliant people, bound by the limitations of their verbal skills.
Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
You most likely know someone with autism. I encourage you to get to know them and their families. Find out what their needs are. They are interesting, lovable, and fun people. Do just a little research on the disorder-a quick search online will help you in your communication with them. Attend an "Autism Speaks" event. A tiny bit of effort will go a long way. You will be a part of a great movement.
I recommend the book, "Thinking in Pictures" by Temple Grandin. It is an amazing story of an autistic woman who went on to invent major dairy farm equipment that our nation now uses. She perfected an equipment that no "neurotypical" had been able to do.
I am challenged to use my God-given voice to speak up.
Friday, March 19, 2010
View Larger Map
Forty-five minutes on Google and I've got our entire cross-country trip planned out.
If this trip works out, it might be the biggest adventure of our lives. We'll need some serious chiropractic work afterwards, but I'm sure the memories will be worth it.
My question is, how long does one give themselves to drive across the United States with about six stops in between? Two weeks?
If anyone has driven across the US, please talk to us. Your tips will be appreciated.
Donald Miller's "Through Painted Deserts" comes to mind. If only we had a VW van... Hopefully my little Civic will make it through 3,711 miles.
Here's a big shout out to all our friends and family who don't know we're imposing ourselves yet.
Because "Motel 6" doesn't quite hold the same sentimentality.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Update on the Herbs
The herb garden is loving the California sunshine! Since my last update, I have added star jasmine, gardenia, lemon balm, and pineapple sage. The pineapple sage smells so delicious. They are baby plants right now, but I hope that in the next year or so they will take off. Now the garden just needs work- weeding, brick laying, pruning- to get it all ready for summer.
Boston University
Well, I am accepted to Boston University's graduate program in journalism. While things are still uncertain, I am excited about the posibility of pursuing a lifelong dream. The idea of relocating across the country is daunting, but we are ready for the adventure it will entail!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Time for Spring, I say!
I love California. I love how trees blossom in February, preempting Spring's grand entrance. I love that nurseries are bustling with anxious gardeners come March 1st.
Come July, I am cursing the ugly sizzling black pavement of a Sacramento summer. But for now, my infatuation for California is on a euphoric high.
Did you know that the ocean temperature at an L.A county beach in December is warmer (60 degrees) than an Oregon beach in July (59 degrees)? The baggage claim at the airport in Burbank, CA is outdoors. You can get a genuine tan 8 months out of the year, without succumbing to the rays of a bacteria-infested tanning bed or spraying UV sap on your body. These are a few of the reasons why I will probably always call California home.
Today I added a few more plants to the herb garden. I found Hibiscus at my local nursery. It was their first shipment of the year. Since Hibiscus is a tropical plant, I am safest to keep it potted for the first year or so to protect it from the frost of winter. So far, the tea garden consists of lemon thyme, stevia, lavender, hibiscus, chocolate mint, chamomile, and a few seedlings of lemongrass. They are all in pots on my patio and I seriously stare at them, thinking I will see them grow. I transferred them from the small nursery containers to larger pots, and they have since grown considerably over the last few weeks. The stevia plant tastes so sweet. I have pulled off a few leaves and enjoyed their sugary flavor. I am not the only one that has enjoyed their taste, however as I have noticed small holes in a few leaves. I obviously am not going to spray my plants, but does anyone know of a way to keep my stevia plant from being a bug's dessert?
Right now I am a woman of two very different jobs. I enjoy the change of scenery and the challenge each job presents. I especially enjoy pouring into college writers at the Warrior Writing Center. It feels like a very natural role for me to play. I can't believe I actually get paid to nag people to write better. ;)
I recently read "When Heaven and Earth Changed Places," a personal memoir of a girl who grew up in Vietnam during the "American Invasion." I found it to be an incredibly interesting and honest portrayal of the Vietnam war and the corrupt mess between so many people just fighting for what they thought was right. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Vietnamese history, or wants to read a story of an incredible, strong woman who found in herself the power to overcome.
To balance the heaviness of that read, I found comfort by reverting to a love of my childhood. I am on a obsessive Disney kick. I think going to Disneyland last month really set me off. In the past, I have been prone to occasional outbursts of Disney fanaticism, but this time, it really is bad. Of course, with whatever I am interested in at the time, I pour myself into the research of the topic. So I guess at least I have learned a lot about the history of the company and about Walt himself. I'll post on some of this at a later point.
I officially welcome Spring, on behalf of its most beloved state in the US.
Come July, I am cursing the ugly sizzling black pavement of a Sacramento summer. But for now, my infatuation for California is on a euphoric high.
Did you know that the ocean temperature at an L.A county beach in December is warmer (60 degrees) than an Oregon beach in July (59 degrees)? The baggage claim at the airport in Burbank, CA is outdoors. You can get a genuine tan 8 months out of the year, without succumbing to the rays of a bacteria-infested tanning bed or spraying UV sap on your body. These are a few of the reasons why I will probably always call California home.
Today I added a few more plants to the herb garden. I found Hibiscus at my local nursery. It was their first shipment of the year. Since Hibiscus is a tropical plant, I am safest to keep it potted for the first year or so to protect it from the frost of winter. So far, the tea garden consists of lemon thyme, stevia, lavender, hibiscus, chocolate mint, chamomile, and a few seedlings of lemongrass. They are all in pots on my patio and I seriously stare at them, thinking I will see them grow. I transferred them from the small nursery containers to larger pots, and they have since grown considerably over the last few weeks. The stevia plant tastes so sweet. I have pulled off a few leaves and enjoyed their sugary flavor. I am not the only one that has enjoyed their taste, however as I have noticed small holes in a few leaves. I obviously am not going to spray my plants, but does anyone know of a way to keep my stevia plant from being a bug's dessert?
Right now I am a woman of two very different jobs. I enjoy the change of scenery and the challenge each job presents. I especially enjoy pouring into college writers at the Warrior Writing Center. It feels like a very natural role for me to play. I can't believe I actually get paid to nag people to write better. ;)
I recently read "When Heaven and Earth Changed Places," a personal memoir of a girl who grew up in Vietnam during the "American Invasion." I found it to be an incredibly interesting and honest portrayal of the Vietnam war and the corrupt mess between so many people just fighting for what they thought was right. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Vietnamese history, or wants to read a story of an incredible, strong woman who found in herself the power to overcome.
To balance the heaviness of that read, I found comfort by reverting to a love of my childhood. I am on a obsessive Disney kick. I think going to Disneyland last month really set me off. In the past, I have been prone to occasional outbursts of Disney fanaticism, but this time, it really is bad. Of course, with whatever I am interested in at the time, I pour myself into the research of the topic. So I guess at least I have learned a lot about the history of the company and about Walt himself. I'll post on some of this at a later point.
I officially welcome Spring, on behalf of its most beloved state in the US.
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