Carlson LaVonne wrote:
Dorothy,

While I agree with what you say regarding spanking and punishment, I
want to comment on statements below regarding methods used for children
with autism, in case there are individuals, especially from misc.kids
that have children with autism. I'm a former special education teacher
and an autism specialist.

toto wrote:


Note that applied behavioral analysis which is a method used in
teaching autistic children and which is the only method that has had
much success began with the use of many aversives and has evolved
into a system which relies almost exclusively on rewards (external
ones primarily with autistic children, but still rewards nonetheless,
not punishments).


Applied Behavioral Analysis has definitely evolved over the years. While
it remains a popular strategy for use in working with children diagnosed
with autism, it is from from "the only method that has had much
success." Research has shown that there are characteristics of
successful intervention for children with autism, regardless of the
strategies or program used. These include structure, predictability,
use of visual schedules, immediate generalization to less intrusive
environments, augmented language, and extended time. There is no
empirical evidence that ABA is preferable over other programs that
incorporate appropriate strategies that have empirical data that
demonstrates effectiveness.

Even with the extreme behavioral problems which

many of these children present, rewards for good behavior have been
found to be more effective than trying to extinguish the bad behavior
with punishments.


Dr. Stanley Greenspan has implemented something called "floor time." Dr.
Greenspan believes that even without punishment, the rewards portion
relies on external control and the child with autism understanding and
responding to the so-called reward. Floor time is a far less intrusive
method that works with the child and helps the children understand
his/her environment and internalize appropriate responses. So far, the
research is extremely positive.


Children whose *bad* behaviors don't get them attention are the kids
whose bad behavior generally goes away. Punishing them is giving them
attention when they misbehave and so it does not help them to
learn *not* to misbehave.


For many children with autism, attention seeking is the last thing on
their minds. Many children with autism would prefer to be left alone
because the world is confusing, and being alone is more internally
rewarding and far less frightening. Often, children with autism respond
behaviorally because they are confused, they perceive the world
differently, and rewards often do little to help them function beyond
the compliance for a reward that is meaningful to them (often a
preferred food).

If you or anyone else reading this would like more information on autism
or working with children diagnosed on the autism spectrum, feel free to
email me personally.

LaVonne

This is pretty funny. I can look down from my office to my living room
and the only book I can see from here?

Greenspan's book on working with special needs children. The book with
"floortime" in it.

I've lost track of how many people I've loaned that book to, only to get
it back in a couple of days (how COULD they read it so fast...it's huge)
with the comment.....no, I HAVE TO HAVE MY OWN COPY FOR REFERENCE.

If anyone reading this has a child who has any syndrom that effects the
child by inability to normally act with his or her whole environment,
this is the book to read. To study. To have for refence as you work with
the child.

When I worked with families that had these children it was the book I
feel asleep to, and if I woke in the night, to read more of.

And it's not a "disability" naming book, but a symptomology designed
approach to get to the root of the issues, and interact in a way that
changes the child's perception of the world around them, and inside them
as well.

His work on the child that seeks understimulation, just as you mention
with autistic children, is vital to read and apply if the child can be
helped.

I keep that book out for guests and clients, and parents that come by.

Kane

--
Dorothy

There is no sound, no cry in all the world
that can be heard unless someone listens ..

The Outer Limits




--
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin