Autism?

What is autism and what signs should I look for in my child?

What is the differnce beteen Aspergers and autism and pervasive developmental delay?

Answers to these questions coming soon.

Social Skills

for Children with Autism- Workshop Outline

Billie Jo Davis, Ph.D., BCBA

(208)699-2595

What are some language deficits that make social interactions difficult?

When is the child ready to begin a socialization program?

How do you assess the child’s skills in order to find a starting point?

What are some of the play skills that you need to consider teaching

            Responding to initiations by peers

Imitating others verbal and nonverbal play

Maintaining play

            Initiating play

Sometimes teaching certain components of the social skill in isolation can make the child more effective in his/ her social interactions- plan for generalization from the beginning

How can you prompt the peer interactions?

What are some of the problems that can result from the prompting?

Peer Initiation procedure

            Using natural interactions

Peer tutoring

Prompting

            Verbal Modeling

            Tactile prompts

                        Gentle reminder

Video modeling

            Audio taped prompts

                        Language master

            Visual prompts

                        Written in a text format

            Social Stories / Cartoons

                        Written out with pictures about a specific situation

            Scripts

                        Taught a script associated with a certain behavior- change roles/words

            Photographs

            Self Monitoring

            Incidental teaching procedures

Fading the prompts

            Needs to be systematic

            A time delay procedure can be used

Reinforcement System

Social Skill Handout

Billie Jo Davis, Ph.D., BCBA, (208)699-2595

Ideas for promoting peer interactions

Use integrated groups and settings with typical peers

Alternate seating- have child with autism between other children

Greeting children when entering and leaving situations

When the child leaves an activity  choose a peer to go with him

Rotate children through activities- when different ones arrive- greet

Conversations with adults redirected to the peers

Limit available materials in order to promote verbalizations and sharing

Pass the materials or food to each other during mealtime

Request items from each other ( give all the supplies to one child)

Turn Taking with preferred items

Encourage watching of other peers

Imitating play or language of peers

Hand holding without the day or transition times (in preschool)

Buddies

Use toys that attract peers to the child with autism

Give the peer to attract the attention of the child with autism

Award a friend of the week

Recognize the child’s special talents e.g. computer

Target a different phrase or word each day in special context “cool” at recess

Don’t interrupt interactions between the children when possible

Considerations for Social Programs

Match social interaction programs to student needs

Establish reasonable social interaction expectations

Be sensitive to local social interaction norms and conditions

Program or interaction quality as well as quantity

Recognize that not all regular class students will be appropriate for social programs

Reduce behavior problems prior to starting social programs

Task analyze social interactions

Prioritize social interaction skills

Tailor reinforcement to meet individual needs

Educate tutors and others about autism

Facilitate initial interactions

Make data based program decisions

Generalize social skills

Maintain acquired skills

Adapted from: Emory Autism Resource Center Information by McGee& Social Skills for Students with Autism (Smith Myles, Sasso, Kamps) 1991

Potty Training Tips for Children with Autism

Prerequisites:

Tools:

• No potty chairs
• Toilet insert
• Stool
• Deflector shield (boys)
• Underwear
• Toys and books
• Pecs symbol (if nonverbal)

Trip training

Prerequisites:

• Hold between times on the toilet
• May lack independence for going

Mistakes:

• Taking too often
• Wait till act like need to go
• Using pull-ups except sleeping

Procedure:

• Set interval between 60-90 minutes
• Sit on the toilet and reinforce every 3min
• 15 minutes max
• Have books and toys available
• Have a special reinforcement for going

Accidents:

• Help with the clean up
• Practice going from the accident to the potty
• Be emotional neutral
• Don’t have sit on the toilet

Potty Party

Goals: 1. Understanding eliminate in the toilet

2. Develop independence in going to the bathroom

3. Develop generalization

Will soon post this in PDF Format so you can download it. 

REINFORCER CHECKLIST

Use this list to develop ideas of things that are motivating to your child.  There is a more extensive list available upon request.

Name: ______________                         Age: _____________

Prepared by: __________                          Date: _____________

EDIBLE REINFORCERS:

Candy:                                     YES     NO

1.   M&M’s                       ____    ____

2.   jelly beans                    ____    ____

3.   licorice                         ____    ____

4.   candy canes                  ____    ____

5.   gum                              ____    ____

6.   Smarties                       ____    ____

7.   lollipops                        ____    ____

8.   chocolate                      ____    ____

9.   candy kisses                 ____    ____

10. _____________          ____    ____

Cereals:

11. Cheerios                       ____    ____

12. Cookie Crisps              ____    ____

13. Fruit Loops                  ____    ____

14. Trix                              ____    ____

15. _____________          ____    ____

Fruit:

16. raisins                           ____    ____

17. apples                          ____    ____

18. oranges                        ____    ____

19. bananas                        ____    ____

20. ____________            ____    ____

Liquids:

21. milk                              ____    ____

22. chocolate milk              ____    ____

23. juice                             ____    ____

24. soda pop                      ____    ____

25. lemonade                      ____    ____

26. _____________          ____    ____

Frozen:

27. popsicle                        ____    ____

28. ice cream                      ____    ____

29. M&M’s                       ____    ____

30. _____________          ____    ____

Soft:

31. pudding                        ____    ____

32. Jell-O                           ____    ____

33. yogurt                           ____    ____

34. marshmallows               ____    ____

35. cheese                          ____    ____

36. cottage cheese              ____    ____

                                                YES     NO

37. peanut butter                ____    ____

38. jam/jelly                        ____    ____

39. ice cream toppings        ____    ____

40. _____________          ____    ____

Others:

41. cake                             ____    ____

42. cup cakes                     ____    ____

43. doughnuts                     ____    ____

44. crackers                       ____    ____

45. frosting                         ____    ____

46. corn chips                     ____    ____

47. cheese balls                  ____    ____

48. Doritos                         ____    ____

49. cookies                        ____    ____

50. popcorn                       ____    ____

51. Animal Crackers           ____    ____

52. Cracker Jacks              ____    ____

53. raw veggies                  ____    ____

54. _____________          ____    ____

MATERIAL REINFORCERS:

1.   stopwatch                     ____    ____

2.   hand cream                   ____    ____

3.   silly putty                      ____    ____

4.   bubbles                        ____    ____

5.   combs                          ____    ____

6.   chap stick                     ____    ____

7.   play dough                    ____    ____

8.   stickers                         ____    ____

9.   perfume                        ____    ____

10. toy instruments              ____    ____

11. boats to make               ____    ____

12. cars to make                 ____    ____

13. puzzles                         ____    ____

14. bubble gum                   ____    ____

15. straws                          ____    ____

16. powder                        ____    ____

17. nail polish                     ____    ____

19. Other                           ____    ____