If your child needs a para then don't sign the IEP until the para is provided. The school should pay for such needs. You can then save your money for after school aides, unless you can get HCBS funding for evenings and weekends.

If you get an educational advocate, it is really more to help you/us as parents with getting the things through the school that you want for your child.
We currently using a BCBA as our son’s companion at his preschool. Our experience has been... if you’re willing to pay for the services/support out of your pocket, as we currently are, they may be more receptive. Be sure to speak to school Psychologist/Principal and/or contact your child’s Autism doctor to explain The importance of having a companion, to the child, for the parent, for the school!!
Schools are always worried about budget cuts, and rarely want to or have the resources to offer anything. But if you’re willing to pay out of pocket I can’t imagine that they would have a problem. Good Luck!!!
Mike and Yessenia

No one should have to pay for their child to get the free education from public schools even if they have a special need. That is discriminatory.
Here is information on FAPE:
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) is an educational right of all children in the United States that is guaranteed by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973[1] and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Under Section 504, FAPE is defined as, "...the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services that are designed to meet individual needs of handicapped persons as adequately as the needs of nonhandicapped persons are met and are based on adherence to procedures that satisfy the requirements of" the section. Under the IDEA, FAPE is defined as an educational program that is individualized to a specific child, that meets that child's unique needs, provides access to the general curriculum, meets the grade-level standards established by the state, and from which the child receives educational benefit.[2] The United States Department of Education issues regulations that define[3] and govern[4] the provision of FAPE.

To provide FAPE to a child with a disability, schools must provide students with an education, including specialized instruction and related services, that prepares the child for further education, employment, and independent living.[5]

So THERE..Please fight for your hard won rights.

Yes you can pay for one by yourself. You get to choose who you pick.

We're in Texas. So far things have been OK without an aide. I haven't asked the school about ABA, although I did mention to her teacher that her BCBA is willing to come to school if there are any difficult behavioral issues. She said OK, we haven't had any issues come up... knock on wood!