[Fwd: The Latest from Autism Bulletin]

[Guest guest]

Interesting.

Barb B

-------- Original Message --------

The Latest from Autism Bulletin <http://autismbulletin.blogspot.com/>

A New Blog for Applied Behavior Analysis Junkies

<http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/AutismBulletin/%7E3/126263754/new-blog-for-app\

lied-behavior-analysis.html>

Posted: 19 Jun 2007 07:46 PM GMT-06:00

Mouzakitis, a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) who teaches

in the graduate special education program at City University of New

York's Queens College, has only been blogging for a few months, but she

has things to say that could enlighten parents and families of children

with autism spectrum disorders who want to understand more about topics

applied behavior analysis (ABA).

ABA is the method of behavioral management -- of using positive

reinforcement to encourage and shape positive behaviors while

discouraging and eliminating negative behaviors -- that is widely used

in teaching people with autism everything from bathroom etiquette to

talking, reading and writing. But for a range of reasons -- it's

challenging to do well, it's labor intensive, it's demanding on everyone

involved, if not done well it can make conditions worse -- ABA has a PR

problem. (Notice how the presenter in this article, What Makes An

Effective Home-Based ABA Provider

<http://autismbulletin.blogspot.com/2007/02/what-makes-effective-home-based-aba.\

html>,

advises behavior analysts to avoid generating negative perceptions of

ABA service providers.)

Enter into this context Mouzakitis' blog, called Applied Behavior

Analysis: Current Topics <http://appliedbehavioranalysis.blogspot.com/>.

Not all entries appear written for laypeople, but most of the ones I

have scanned are interesting. Take a recent essay on " the table, the

chair and Applied Behavior Analysis, " in which she explains why it's

wrong for ABA therapists to insist on doing discrete trials at a table

with very young children who are upset. She writes:

The focus of the first couple of weeks of session should be getting

to know the child, performing assessments in the natural environment

through observation of the child's interaction with family, people,

and the environment. Language samples should be monitored. As the

child becomes more comfortable and begins to get excited to see his

therapists, more structured programs can be implemented. However,

the majority of ANY session, with ANY age child, should not be at

the table. This is a tool used in therapy, but not the only one, and

certainly should not be the focus of an ABA program.

This is a challenge for many therapists and families. Many of us are

married to the table, and find it challenging to pull away from the

table and engage the entire environment that a child lives in. While

challenging, it is necessary, and requires talented and creative

therapists to be able to use all aspects of a child's environment.

Therapists will not leave the table on their own and may require

training and coaxing to leave it. The table is easy. Sitting a child

in a chair, once instructional control is established and running

cards and programs, is easier than identifying learning

opportunities in the natural environment. Training is necessary.

Often natural environment instruction is perceived as playing in the

natural environment and questioning a child on labels, colors and

shapes in everyday objects. Natural environment teaching requires

planning, programming, and data collection and monitoring.

The bottom line is that the child's instructional environment should

from the beginning be positive and enjoyable. If the child is

screaming when he sees a therapist, crying at the table, something

has gone terribly wrong and must be changed. ABA therapy for

children with autism does NOT equate discrete trial teaching in a

chair at a table. The principles need to be applied to teach a child

functional language and skills that will promote independence in his

life. This should be done in any and all environments that a child

will experience. Divorce the table.

What's interesting about 's post is her ability to explain both

the discipline and creativity involved in delivering quality ABA

services. Another recent post on " Parent Anecdotal Records "

<http://appliedbehavioranalysis.blogspot.com/2007/06/parent-anecdotal-records.ht\

ml>

does a similar good job explaining the need for parents to collect

accurate information about what happens at home, and suggestions for how

to do it well.

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