Why in Syracuse is ABA a dirty word? OK, so it only feels that way. No - I can actually say I have witnessed people cringe when I mention it. So, I was wondering is this a universal feeling?
And then we went to Rochester to visit Steve's family for a late Christmas a few weekends ago. I said ABA - and lo' and behold, people nodded and said "oh yeah, I know what that is." No dirty looks as if I was about to administer electric shock to my child. In fact Steve's cousin K. a recent graduate of history from UB who is in a temp job until she starts grad school said she was trained and using it. Steve's cousin C. stated that she had used it when she was working with the autistic years ago and saw how effective it was, especially when it was implemented and consistent at home. There are schools out there. People have multiple resources in Rochester.
OK, so back to Syracuse, since I think the 3 hour commute daily to Rochester will likely make me want to beat my head against the steering wheel, and thus, should not be attempted.
What is going on in Syracuse?
I asked the county program director if we were the first parents to request ABA today upon our first face to face, uninvited, unannounced visit to the county's Special Children Services division. The response was "Your the first in two years."
So, yes, no more phone calls. We went to speak to the program coordinator herself, without calling first. I wanted to hear what she had to say for herself, and not through someone else. There was certainly something to the element of surprise. But it wasn't as if she needed preparation - I am sure she has given this speech before. There were a few strange looks when we entered the building, I made sure to where my high heel boots and professional attire - hopefully, at 6'1" with heels I could have some sort of psychological intimidating effect. They didn't know we were just parents, they may have thought we were some sort of certification or oversight personnel. They were very nice to us.
Much like our service coordinator, this program coordinator tried to deflect the conversation to Zach and his upcoming transition to within the school system. I told her that he would not be 3 until October, and I didn't want to see 9 months of no activity until this event. Talking about the future seems to make these people feel better. I also instructed her that I had already begun proceedings with the school district, to which I was told they were pending a report from the Early Intervention office. Yes lady - you guys are the ones holding up the show - not me! I also told her we were scheduled to visit 2 schools within the next few weeks. OKay -can we put this one to bed lady and get back to the issue at hand.
She says: "Blah blah blah - resource limitations, I'll have to check with my boss," and more idle rhetoric that I shouldn't have to bear witness to and isn't my problem. All I could think about is: "You've had 10 years to get this stuff worked out, why isn't it?"
*** WARNING: some censored vulgarities coming your way ****
We went on to exchange stories about what we thought was going on. Steve said not a word. I could only imagine that if he did talk, he would have told the lady something on the order of "stop the b*llsh*t and quit f*ck*ng with my kid's life." Lord knows that is what I was thinking at moments as I tried to stay proactive, positive, congenial, diplomatic, etc. rather than the straight talk approach I would have preferred.
At some point, the coordinator mentioned a name, as if I should know who it was, of a student in Westhill school district, and "too bad I didn't live there instead of West Genesee" blah blah blah. Off to Googleland I go to see who this kid she was talking about is. As I investigate this young gentleman's life, I frequently come across these words: facilitated communication.
Puzzle pieces are starting to fit together, or is it a connect the dots? I hope to figure more of this out and give you my viewpoint in some follow up posts. Stay tuned...
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