Applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques can be combined to help children replace aberrant behavior with functional communication skills.
The purpose of this study was to see if two therapies (milieu therapy and functional communication training) could be combined to help children replace bad behavior with language. The authors measured increased communication skills, decreased use of prompts, and decreased bad behavior in three young children with autism at home and in the classroom. They found that prompts decreased with the therapy. Communication increased and bad behavior decreased to almost zero with therapy. All of these skills were generalized to untrained settings and persons.
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Children with autism and horses
Jan 17, 2012 by AnonymousPREFACE:
My experience working with children diagnosed with Autism has been a little like knocking on the door to their place of business.
Option #1
Sometimes, no one answers the door and even if the hours of operation are posted, they are not always observed.
Option #2
If the door is answered, you rare sometimes invited in, but once inside you realize it is a waiting room where messages are exchanged. There is no direct contact. This can cause delays, miscommunication and confusion. Patience and timing are critical.
Option #3
With enough effort and understanding you are sometimes (and hopefully) invited into the main office and speak to the boss directly. In this setting, skills understanding and effort are still required but are less demanding and more productive.
This is the most rewarding and productive of the three options.
The equine program developed at the Westwind Rodeo Academy has facilitated the opportunity to enter the office and speak to the boss directly. (Remember - they are not YOUR boss, but the boss of the company you need to do business with.)
I personally believe it has been a key ingredient in several instances, in moving forward and grasping the potential for the Education system to assist and direct students diagnosed with Autism in their academic efforts and opportunities.
FOLLOWING : Is a cursory description of a multi-faceted program that will hopefully provide a glimpse into these concepts.
CAUTION: The thoughts information and data provided here are solely my responsibility and have not been endorsed, accredited, approved or even spell-checked by the Westwind School Division, the Westwind Rodeo Academy or any other authority.
Harlan (Lanny) Smith B.S.W., Family School Liaison Counselor
e-mail lannysmith56@gmail.com
The Program
More than just a riding program, the Westwind Rodeo Academy in Cardston Alberta provides a unique program centered on relationships that is based on a triad as part of a larger group of nine. Each child that attends the program is matched with a specific horse and equine specialist EQ (horse handler) that is chosen for their skills and experience working with children with special needs as well as their command of horse knowledge and competence.
The group of 9 is formed with 3 groups of 3 to allow for broader experience, interactive activities and comparative experiences and an ambience in the session. The selection of which 3 students will attend together is carefully considered and may include children with a variety of challenges not limited to Autism. The sessions are repeated for 6 consecutive weeks and may be repeated up to 4 times a year, space allows and need requires, although each section is provided as a stand alone intervention.
One of the most inspiring experiences is when children fully embrace the horse and the relationship when they take the opportunity to lay down on the horses back without saddle (sometimes with a bareback pad or blanket, but not always), and spend quiet time, just embracing the horse while the child is at rest. This can include conversation with the EQ as originated by the child and is largely a listening activity for the EQ, or just a silent time. This activity is sometimes suggested by the child and sometimes by the EQ and may occur at anytime during the session. It is can be used to de-escalate the child or address stress or emotional discomfort. It is also used as a modest celebration or reinforcement in the relationship.
Actual riding occurs during these sessions but is not the object or the goal. Many sessions pass without the child being on horseback as the situation dictates. Each session is focused on the child's orientation to the world around them as far as they can express through words, body language, choices or actions, their needs and concerns as well as interests and inclinations. Although safety is an over riding principal, convenience to the horse or EQ is secondary to the child's expressed or perceived preference.
We have witnessed EQ's trotting beside the horse as ridden by the child who has expressed a desire to have the horse move at faster than a walk.
(Again, safety is paramount which necessitates one or more EQs running beside the horse. In this case, the child's skills and aptitude to remain safely on the horse is previously determined. We also consider the horses history and attitude and performance on that particular day as part of the decision making process.)
This can be physically demanding and inconvenient for the EQ but a major contributor to the child's experience and benefit. The results the child experiences, the more effort required by the EQ to facilitate without imposing or tainting the child's experience.
The other component of this system is the support of a Mental Health Practitioner and supervision by the Facility Director. This completes the formal team. Decisions about activities, concepts and specific goals are managed by the Facility Director and Bahavior Specialist and the EQ's in consultation.
We have also encouraged with some success, the attendance to at least one of the sessions in each section by a significant family member as well as the students classroom teacher and possible other support personnel. These individuals are given direction about the concepts of non-interference and non-projecting on the child's experience while acknowledging the elements the child is embracing. They meet the horse, the EQ and observe the activities. We often take pictures or video and encourage this experience to be talked about at home and in the classroom.
Of course this is a snapshot of the experience in condensed form and there are many details and intricacies that cannot be explained or properly presented in this format. Overall, the development of this process has been most rewarding and inspiring and worth the investment of time, money and effort. It requires many elements working in concert to achieve this model. We are fortunate that these things have come together thus far.
Questions or comments leading to discussion and education are appreciated.
Responding to rebound therapy
Jul 24, 2010 by AnonymousThe phrase "Rebound Therapy" was coined by the founder, Eddy Anderson MCSP, Cert Ed, in 1969 to describe the use of the moving surface (bed) of a trampoline in order to provide therapeutic exercise and recreation for people with a wide range of special needs.
Rebound Therapy is used to facilitate movement, to promote balance, to increase or decrease muscle tone, and to aid relaxation and sensory integration. It is also used to improve fitness and exercise tolerance and to improve communication skills.
It is popular in special needs schools and is becoming increasingly popular in mainstream schools with a special needs unit; partly because the trampoline is a piece of apparatus that virtually all people, regardless of their abilities, can access, benefit from and enjoy.
The UK body for Rebound Therapy is “Rebound Therapy dot org” who state that in addition to the benefits listed above, it is an ideal vehicle for cross curricular teaching activity; with the potential for teaching such things as numeracy, colour recognition, positioning (left, right, backwards, forwards, clockwise and anticlockwise), communication, social awareness and consideration of others.
They further state that the unique properties of the trampoline offer ample opportunities for everybody to enhance movement patterns.
The work is intrinsically motivating and enjoyable and returns high value in therapeutic terms for the time and the effort involved.
The fact that the activity is so enjoyable can enable it to be used as a motivational aid to learn. Many teachers also report increased concentration and willingness to learn in the classroom following a Rebound session.
“Rebound Therapy dot org” are responsible for the development and provision of certificated staff training courses for schools and centres throughout the UK.
The courses have received approved status from the Professional Development Board for Physical Education which is supported by afPE.
More information about Rebound Therapy and staff training courses can be found on their website: www.ReboundTherapy.org
Their email address is: info@ReboundTherapy.org and telephone no is 01342 870543
School
Aug 31, 2009 by AnonymousWe are a special school for children on the autism spectrum and typical developing siblings. Our arts based educational and sensory curriculum and mixed age classrooms provide a way for all children to actively participate within a supportive atmosphere. In this tranquil setting each child feels a sense of belonging, friendship, and the opportunity to experience the magic of childhood.
*Philosophy & Curriculum:
We offer a holistic approach in which the connection between school, home, service providers, and community becomes collaboration where each member is connected with a natural ease. Jordan Lake School of the Arts offers an individual curriculum for all students in a retreat like setting. Having a five students to one teacher ratio, and small class size we can provide attention to each child. Multi-age classrooms offer a stress free environment to learn in both roles as guide and apprentice. While children on the spectrum benefit from observing peers and having a structured means of learning social skills, typical developing siblings grow from experiential education and the support of friends who truly understand and share similar experiences. Different is normal here. At JLSA, we all understand and are respectful and supportive of one another. We have local artists participating in workshops as well as rotating their artwork in our space. Our art shows offer an opportunity for families to socialize without anxiety, and students to experience large group functions in the company of compassionate people while meeting inspiring members of the community. Our amenities include an enormous tropical greenhouse, courtyard, and outdoor class space, as well as a home like educational setting.
Parents and grandparents are welcome and encouraged to participate in the day. Workshops and afternoons with community speakers are great opportunities for families to share in experiences together at school and we all benefit from the communication and shared experiences that flow from school to home. Parents are also invited to join us for nature hikes and gardening, and to bring their talents and teach us about their specialty. We hope adults will take painting or yoga classes offered in the building, or enjoy hiking trails and the lake, assured that your children are being compassionately cared for and well educated.
www.jordanlakesa.com
919-672-4281
Drinking buddies
Aug 31, 2009 by AnonymousWell, I was worried about the wrong kid.
How long did we wring our hands and experience gut-wrenching anguish over Thomas’ surely difficult and confusing transition to all-day, eat-lunch-at-school first grade? On the first day of school, he kissed me goodbye and walked in the building. Okay, so long! See you later! Hayley, on the other hand, was rather upset, sobbing loudly. I have a bit of a dilemma on my hands that I have to drop Hayley off at the Kindergarten entrance and Thomas gets dropped off at the First Grade entrance. So on the first day, it was pouring outside (naturally) so we had to walk into the hall. I left Hayley, who wasn’t listening to me and when I told her that I’d be right back after I found out where Thomas needed to go. I walked about ten feet away when I heard her crying. One of the aides who knows Thomas offered to take him to his class so that I could stay with Hayley, which I did, until it was time for me to leave her. She was crying – loudly and a lot.
Jonathan and I were completely confused by this behavior. Hayley had been in that classroom once every week for the past school year! However, Jonathan made the sensible point that I had been with her the whole time she was there. This was the first time I left her there. Okay, that makes sense. Anyway, Hayley stopped crying shortly after I left and ended up having an okay day. Since it rained for the first three days of school this year, Jonathan was able to pick up the kids with me which was nice for him and the kids. Thomas was very excited to see Jonathan after his first day of school. We immediately noticed that Thomas had forgotten his lunch box and home folder so we had to go back in for them. His teacher said that he did a fine job and the social worker said that the few times she poked her head in the room, he was doing great. So Thomas is off to a surprisingly smooth start. Of course, I remember last year when there was a “honeymoon period” right at the beginning of the year and then things went downhill a bit. I might be remembering a couple years ago when Thomas was in preschool. I don’t know. I just hope we keep grooving like this.
Thomas is doing fine eating lunch at school, although he rarely finishes. I guess he eats like Jonathan – slooooooowly. Most days, he brings his bag home with leftovers. He always asks for a snack when he gets home which is not that weird – most kids have after-school snacks. But I hope he’s getting enough time to eat. Rather, it’s probably that he doesn’t stay focused and eat when it’s time to do so. He might be socializing with the two girls he sits next to. Anyway, he likes recess and he likes eating lunch at school. We’ve managed to put other edible (to Thomas’ standards) items in his lunch box so that we don’t have make pizza every night to put in the lunch box the next day. He eats chicken nuggets and chicken sandwiches too. We put a juice pouch or chocolate milk in there along with maybe a granola bar and fruit snacks. The fruit snacks are always finished when we get his lunch bag back. It’s usually the nuggets, pizza or sandwich that is half-eaten.
Part of the program in first grade is learning to read, so we have to read with Thomas for twenty minutes every night. I have modified this program to reading one book at night. Making Thomas try to do anything he doesn’t enjoy for twenty minutes is frustrating for him and us. He’s able to recognize words when prompted, so he’s got a good foundation. I just wonder when he’s going to start trying to sound out words on his own. He makes the word sounds but doesn’t put them together. And then there’s Hayley, who’s prone to know-it-all-ism, hanging over my shoulder, shouting, “Mommy! I know that word!” It’s hard getting her to keep quiet while I’m trying to get Thomas to read. I’ll have to put her in her room while we’re trying to read from now on.
It’s hard, too, to try and get everything ready for school on nights when I work. I try to get lunches made and homework done before I go to work at 5 p.m. But I suspect I’m preaching to the choir of my readers here…I don’t even work full-time, so I have little room to complain about trying to keep everything running smoothly. Things are going well for me at work, though. They really seem to like me and I won Employee Of The Month while we were in Florida and they want me to start training new people as a “Neighborhood Expert” which I am not officially yet as I have to attend some sort of “expert camp” or retreat or something before. At least it’s nice to be appreciated.
One funny story and then I’m off to collect Hayley from school: The last time the kids were at the cottage, they went out for ice cream. Hayley and Grandma ordered the same flavor, so Mary said that they were “ice cream buddies.” Fast-forward to this past Friday when Hayley and Thomas both chose to have grape Kool-Aid for dinner. Hayley looked at her cup and his and declared, “Thomas! Look! We’re drinking buddies!” Jonathan and I laughed until there were tears in our eyes.