About This Site
This website offers free, informal support and advocacy for parents and carers of non-verbal children in England.
Practical guidance articles in pages links
The aim is to make SEND law, various related processes, communication, and behaviour, easier to understand, and to help families feel supported while navigating education and care systems.
About Me
Against many odds, in 1997, with the help of a very good non-practising barrister and other very determined parents, I successfully overturned a Special Educational Needs Tribunal decision and won a second tribunal on the same issue. This was a 'Landmark' case which made legal history.
That case made applied behaviour analysis (ABA) available as a government funded provision.
I was informed by aba expert, Prof.Svein Eikeseth and others -in person and in our home and during a workshop consult, that my son would 'definitely speak'- sadly no- we later, after a few years in- worked on 'verbal behaviour' and used broader reinforcement strategies that gained approximations- e.g. my son would, when prompted properly -would say 'bees' for 'keys' etc - one therapist who assisted was called Amy H- very sadly his progress was halted due to tragic circumstances.
I am not currently supportive of all ABA practice and sometimes advise various bodies on changes that need addressing there- such as providing mandatory training and provision of AAC's to be incorporated in all therapy/teaching in non-verbal disability as a legal right.
An example of ABA not being helpful is the fact that a lot of non speakers have problems with processing speeds- making the 'instant reinforcement' aspect in parts of the ABA therapy- not only useless in many ways but potentially harmful too-and very tedious and/frustrating for the child.
Personalised, varied reinforcement practiced in the community and not just at a table- for extended periods-can be really helpful. I made therapists do it in parks, supermarkets, and on trips to museums and in boats on the river! That is where progress began. Sunlight is a requirement for health.
Former ABA service users report abuses and even PTSD due to unfavourable ABA practices.
ABA uses coercive practice to eliminate behaviours that are natural, such as hand-flapping in Autism- though compassionate, tailored behaviourism is becoming more popular.
The coercion: ABA is about 'compliance' and repetion mostly- which brings disability, equality and discrimination law to seriously consider.
I worked for four years as a behaviour therapist, employing and training therapists and occassionally advocating for others as a disabled parent.
I have also, intermittently and informally, tried to research Autism causes since 1994.
Recent research includes news that autism and non-verbal developmental disability share many genetic pathways.
The genes most consistently connected to absent or very limited speech are FOXP2, UBE3A,ARID1B, bvFTD, CACNA11, EHMT1, CNTNAP2, DDX3X, SHANK3, SYNGAP1, DYRK1A, ADNP, and MECP2. The future of genetic testing is looking very promising.
My background includes certificates in DBT, ACT, Psychotherapy in PTSD and trained in Operant Conditioning-Skinnerian theory, as well as holistic nutrition therapy and herbal certs, I have a love of herbal teas and creating diy non-toxic soaps and deodorants.
How I Can Support You
I offer informal, experienced guidance and support for parents, carers, teachers or other professionals,who need help for non-verbal children, offering direct general support or directing them to appropriate SEND documents, services and helpful, free information.
If you’d like to get in touch for reasons listed, use the email icon or contact form below please.
Messages are confidential, and I don’t store or share personal information.
It may take a while for me to respond.
