Re:Teaching dailing living skills --- was Re: How many parents still..

December 1, 2008

, did you learn about task analysis (breaking down a skill to

small parts) and token reinforcement (sticker charts) on your own or

were you taught by someone? Do you use backward chaining?

Cheers,

Hope

I learned this on my own, through experience and research.

I have two older children, now 23 and 25. My son like my youngest is very

smart. He lives on his own now and is doing well. HE was mild ADD, although imo

I would of put him on the spectrum, but back then that wasn't done.

I home schooled the older two during majority of the elementary years. That

helped in what worked with him and what works with Kiera.

We've used PECS although she never really " needed " that so much.

I've home schooled her with services from the school, and have worked closely

with two speech therapists and an OT. We are all on the same page, and use what

works best for Kiera. She gets very upset if she thinks she can't do it, even if

she is capable, and that is where I have learned to break it down. Her feeling

success continues to make her want to challenge herself more. THe feeling of

success seems to help that.

Her new thing is " mommy, I know " which is pretty much a breakthrough for her as

she is now challenging herself more.

She's quite independent now in bathing, brushing teeth, dressing, eating, even

using the microwave with me nearby. She is 7. I think it is easy for us, as

parents of children with any disability to help more than we might otherwise. I

always try to have her do it, and then if she is struggling I may ask, do you

need some help. She now asks for help if she is having trouble and starting to

have some anxiety.

Hope all of that helps. All our children are individuals and what works for one

might not work for another. I see that in our schools, the population with

autism in the preschool to 3rd grade has increased dramatically and they all are

at such varying levels that almost nothing is similar to their needs or

strengths.

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