ABBLS-R

As an SLP, I have just become aware of the ABBLS-R tracking protocol for skill mastery of children with autism. On the face of it, the protocol appears to be very helpful and specific. I am looking for some input from parents, teachers, therapists, and researchers, on it's use, validity, and therapeutic outcomes.
Thanks

Can you link to some information, for those (like myself) who don't know what exactly the ABBLS-R method is?

Even without firsthand knowledge, a fair number of parents could probably give you some (informally) educated guesses as to how it might apply to their kids.

The ABBLS are a very specific tracking method used to help find where a child is in terms of language, motor, etc development. My son is currently in an ABA program that sticks to this tracking method to create his learning program...which changes constantly due to his progression (one reason I think the ABBLS is so helpful...it helps create a VERY child specific program). It is really amazing how well my son is responding and how well the ABBLS helps to gauge where my son is and what he is ready for next. There is even a young boy next to my son's room who, with the help of the ABBLS, they found out that although he doesn't speak he can read. It was just the next "level" that was to be addressed in his program. They wrote many words on the board and asked him to point to certain words and he did! I think the ABBLS is a very well formulated way of going about developing a program for a child...from what I have seen as a parent. Hope this helps.

Hi! I'm a early intervention special educator and also teach through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). My agency uses the ABBLS for assessment and I believe it is the most accurate there is. It really breaks down skills into specific behaviors that can be easily observed and measured. It is not vague or confusing, therefore the scoring will be more accurate because it explains everything. There is always the criticism about tests; that they don't truly show who the child is. No test will take into account how the child is feeling (sick, tired, etc...) at the time of being tested, but the ABBLS is soooo long that it takes a while to complete and therefore that confound becomes less relevant. I'm not a fan of going strictly by testing, but I believe that is the most accurate there is.