PARENTS WANT MORE FROM SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Some parents have begun to see applied behavior analysis as the closest thing to a cure for their autistic children, and they want local school districts to offer the therapy in their schools.

Applied behavior analysis relies on high intensity, precise teaching techniques to teach children diagnosed as autistic. Parents, teachers and therapists are trained to use positive reinforcement and behavior management to work with students for up to 40 hours a work.

The technique is most effective when it's begun before children reach school age.

Mary Jane White's son was diagnosed as autistic five years ago. The Iowa resident said her son has received applied behavior therapy and is no longer autistic.

Her belief in the therapy's ability was strong enough to switch her emphasis from trial law to become a special education attorney so she could be an advocate for other parents with autistic children.

"If you do this, these children can learn to talk and gain a level of functioning," said White. "Maybe you can say whatever neurological thing that caused the autism is maybe not cured, but definitely overcome."

Many school districts balk when parents request applied behavior therapy for autistic children because it can cost up to $30,000 a year, White said. However, the therapy has proven results and can save school districts and communities millions of dollars in the long run.

"What we know about autism is that if you don't figure out what's wrong before it's too late to do something about it, you end up with someone who costs the taxpayers about $2 million to $3 million," she said. "Without early intervention, it becomes very difficult for autistic kids to work in a classroom."

Diane Honomichl's daughter, Tiffany, received applied behavior therapy for a year before her child became eligible for the Poplar Bluff School District's early childhood special education program. She felt so strongly about the benefits of applied behavior analysis that when she was told Tiffany could not receive the therapy full time any longer, she moved to the Doniphan School District, where it was available.

"Research shows it's most effective when it's applied 35 to 40 hours per week, and that's what I wanted for my child," said Honomichl. "I didn't want to settle because I've got my daughter back now."

Michelle and James Wingo also believe applied behavior is the best chance for a normal life for their son, Elijah, 4. They are working to have applied behavior analysis therapy added to the list of services the Cape Girardeau School District provides Elijah.

"There is a chance he could end up saving this school district over $400,000 over the course of his educational career because he won't need the special services," said Michelle Wingo. "One thing I am not going to leave this earth with is knowing I didn't do everything possible for my son."

John Heskett of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said the problem with applied behavior analysis and other services offered special children is they aren't foolproof.

Therapies that work exceptionally well for one student won't make a dent in another student's progress, he said. That's why school districts don't generally advocate services and instead use a case-by-case basis to determine what is appropriate for students.

"Individual decisions have to be made," said Heskett. "Placement (into applied behavior analysis and other therapies) is not as much an issue so much as a connection to the curriculum. Clearly, more inclusive educational practices is one way to address that issue, but the real focus here is on expectation and then instruction."

White, Honomichl and the Wingos said they think applied behavior analysis therapy is the best educational practice autistic students can receive. The therapy has proven results and is pricey but saves money in the long run. Besides, some things are more important than money, they said.

"I truly believe my daughter wouldn't be progressing without the full-time program," said Honomichl. "This is everything to us. My daughter died and I saw her come back through this program."