Re: all over me/Laurie

[Guest guest]

Laurie,

My take on this would be that Mic just wanted some attention or having

that comfort moment with mom. Could also be emerging his ability to

communicate, could be due to his functioning at whatever month stage of

development. Remember Mic will encounter the same types of problems as

his peers, only the timing of his challenges will probably match his

developmental level rather than his chronological age.

Could be the beginning to learn the power of communication and how to

make it work to get his wants and needs met. Like the " terrible two's " .

I'm surprise by now with the school Mic attends they have not suggested

something like an Activity Book used at home. I say this as I know ABA

is being applied at school, right?

Are there any In-Home Staff visits to transfer skills to the home

environment. These visits give parents an opportunity to get help with

issues that arise for the child at home. You would think this could be

incorporated on a weekly or monthly basis.

How do you reach out to children who don't know they want to interact

with you? Kids learn most when they are happy and engaged.

Best practice is to try figure out the most effective way to teach

students/kids generalizable skills.

You could make your own activities/materials. This is just SAMPLE of

what if? Please be sure to customize that meets Mic's individual needs.

A binder could be used marked with " Activity Book " , open it up inside

the binder is an envelope marked with the pic

" Time for .......then begin with maybe using one of those cardstock

pages inserted into one of those sheet protectors, could have a pic of

a timer, ex. 15 min.in a corner of the activity sheet on how long to

work on the activity, along with an actual photo step-by-step

activities, let's say a puzzle depending how many pieces can he

do. " Time for Puzzle, have the activity book near a bin setting where

the activities will be at, include finish, always label.

You could begin picking 3 activities, super basics which you could

build up to 5 activities and once this behavior is shaped then he'll

understand when he arrives home and he could this independently as you

shape this in the beginning then when he is ready you could fix dinner

while you tell Mic " Go look at the book " . The activity book helps for

independence. Which I could show you an example or hopefully tried to

explain this.

http://www.woodbinehouse.com/excerpt.asp_Q_product_id_E_0-933149-93-X

Maybe you could find some samples on these sites-

http://www.tinsnips.org/Pages/makeandtake.html

http://groups.msn.com/TheAutismHomePage/resourcesforteaching.msnw

How I would of love doing this back when he was a youngster as

all he wanted to do was be by himself, hated being touched. This is

where I see Floortime therapy helping out or just any fun sensory

activities/some form of sensory diet implemented.

Yesterday I was taking care of my 2 y/o grandson and everything I did,

he was doing similar things as Mic, pulling my arm, climbing all over

me, tugging my blouse, grabbing one of my legs, he was working it. So

when I had to do something I would have to figure out how to get him

involve. I had told him " show me " , this would cut down with what he was

trying to tell me. When he gets upset, sometimes its hard to understand

him. Most of the time he just wants to play or munch on something.

During some of my household chores I would use something like

the " First & Then " method with him. First " wash clothes " ,

then " play/snack " or whatever he wanted. I would also get him involve

telling him " help " (which he loves helping his grandma)-Example,

removing the laundry out of the washer, I would hand him the wet

clothes & he would place them into the dryer, he loved it, I added some

sound effects. Then I would tell him " all done, time to play or snack "

singing to him like " lets go eat, eat___where going to eat___ " or play,

play___ " or watch a video " Let's watch King Kong,Ninja Turtles, Batman "

these days, pounding on our chest or tuned to " Teenage, teenage Ninja

Turtles " ,etc.

We're also in the potty training stages so I knew I had to limit my

household chores or whatever goin on. Just be creative and see how you

could get Mic to help you when this happen or tell him to show you,

even its just for some cuddling.

When does this at his age now at home. I have him choose from

his schedule, " like check schedule " or " time for " by showing him a

transition marker. On the schedule its marked with " Choices " , then he

heads out to his Choice board that have actual pics of

activities/reinforcement(a highly motivational item/choice).

does not know how long when working with activities and this also

helped my grandson too.

So I have been using a count down with actual photos of whatever

reinforcement he chose and recently, using a timer (time tracker) a

kitchen timer worked well, but he loves the new tool the Time Tracker.

Must be one of those visual stimulation because of the lights.

Example if I need to wash dishes, cook, etc. he has the power to choose

and once I see he could do this independently then I would move away.

On the choice board there is also a pic with my picture " playing with

him which involves a sensory motor activity " or " working with mom " ,etc.

On the count down example 3 pics will say the computer/Video/?

1. computer Timer: 3:00

2. computer

3. computer

Check schedule Finish

Computer, timer goes off, place computer pic in finish spot. Back to

activity, repeat steps.

The In-Home/Parent Trainer and I along with one of my friends who is a

Special Ed Consultant have been brainstorming some strategies revolving

around 's learning style. I have requested for the PECS at the

school, which is verbal behavior/TEACCH combo but I had to figure out

around what the school district has failed working with him for 11

years on the communication goals and this seemed like one of the most

effective low-tech communication system for now at least to decrease

his frustration. His new placement have not sent any data on what they

are working with him yet but tomorrow morning I have an ARD/IEP meeting

which I must follow up with.

So the conclusion of the assistance to what has helped me at home to be

consistent is using The Topic Board, which is a page at a time from the

communication board which he is beginning to make the connection. Once

this is in place especially with the traveling with the pic to the

communicative partner, then the Topic Board pages will be utilized in a

communication book which he could carry then the goal is modified

around him carrying in an appropriate communication system as

seems to understand something of being a young adult as I'm gathering

lately so I'm looking at a portfolio/wallet type which he may end up

using once he meets this goal-

Initiate his wants and needs by carrying a communication book or

something to inform us when he wants something.

Where he goes to get the picture and find the communicative partner.

Choice & Discrimination he does wonderful. I suggested the Phase I

again to involve the backward chaining to fade the physical assistance.

Its all work in progress but worth it especially when independence

skills are emerging.

Just thinking out loud on my thought here.

Irma,17,DS/ASD

>

> Mic is doing a constant pulling me no matter where I go or what I

do.If I sit and watch a video with him he pulls me to keep changing it

if I go in the kitchen he comes in there and pulls me to nothing its

driving me crazy now hes opening up all the drawers and pulling all the

clothes out.Here he comes to get me, hes been getting like this for

about 2 weeks now and I dont know what to do. I would take him outside

but its pouring and he hates the rain.Hes back pulling at my hands

geezzzzzzzzzzz I hope this is just alittle stage.Hes running from one

room to the other with me. hes only been home 45 minutes and I am

getting a workout.

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[Guest guest]

You may. Glad to hear we are all sort of on the same page, only they

are trained and I'm not but nice to hear you're willing to learn by

attending.

Ask them if they know how to work with the Penny Board?

Using a mini-clipboard with some velcro for the pennies and place a

spot above for a pic of a highly motivated reinforcement item or

object. Kinda of like the " I'm working for____ " token system.

So that you could learn this skill too, this would help during your

outings with Mic or during his self-help skills but with the teams

help.

I could see Mic learning from school as it all requires analysis of

the " task " , breaking a complex program into smaller components, can be

used for any task, able to see progress (data). Perfect when backward

chaining is used too. All of the behaviors in task are completed by the

instructor, except for the final behavior.

* Once behavior is performed-reinforcement is given.

* Then the last 2 behaviors are performed and so on.

You're right Mic is smart, its making sure to have the MO going.

Teaching Children with Autism 10 Recommendations:

1) High Expectations

2) Positive Approach

3) Require a Reponse

4) Ignore irrelevant behavior

5) Speak specifically

6) Use a schedule

7) Do not raise your voice

8) Do not allow behavior problems to

succeed in escaping demands

9) Do not give in to rigid

routines/fixations

10) Establish, reinforce, expect

" learning/attending " protocol

Looking froward reading an update of any news.

Irma,17,DS/ASD

>

> Oh Irma what a lady I was at Mics school today and they tell me hes

graduated to a 2 year old level in a few months and they keep telling

me how smart he is and hes doesnt have severe MR oh what a good day

anyway your suggestions are almost the same as what the school is

implementing and then train me.His behavior is showing at school and

they are glad because he cares she said last time I was in there for

behavior training Mic just would not engage in anything and they are

happy to see him open up.They are doing really good stuff with him. I

will spend all next week in his school training. Do you mind if I

forward your info to the school Im sure they will be surprised. Laurie

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