Resource Wednesday: Paradigm Behavior, for family-supportive resources beautifully designed by a friendly BCBA

09 Wednesday Aug 2017

Posted by kolubcbad in Autism, Behavior Analysis, children, Early Intervention, Education, enriched environment, play, resources, Social Interaction, teaching behavior analysis, Uncategorized

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behavior analysis, children, community, paradigm behavior, parents, play, resources, teaching behavior analysis

At CuspEmergence, we love finding resources or information we can share with our families and community. Imagine our excitement when we discovered this close-to-home resource, an entire website devoted to helping parents become even more amazing at playing, communicating, and connecting with their children! Paradigm Behavior maintains a website and resource library where families can learn, with the support of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who is a parent herself. Christina posts blogs, resources for supporting play, and online coaching for families interested in developing play skills, language, and more. Paradigm Behavior maintains a well-stocked Playroom, which could teach students and supervisees cutting their teeth in behavior analysts a thing or about connecting with families and using materials in effective ways.

The resources we found were helpful even to seasoned behavior analysts, taking much of the work out of connecting parents with individualized resources that were at once friendly and helpful. We think you’ll love them as much as we do

Check out ParadigmBehavior.com.

Trauma-informed behavior analysis, Part 4: On terms (Is “trauma” behavioral?)

08 Tuesday Aug 2017

Posted by kolubcbad in adults, Behavior Analysis, children, Early Intervention, ethics, supervision, teaching behavior analysis, teaching ethics, trauma, Uncategorized

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This article is the fourth installment in a series on trauma-informed behavior analysis, by Dr. Teresa Camille Kolu, Ph.D., BCBA-D.

Is “trauma” a behavioral term?

“Trauma” is a buzzword lately. As several people recently noted on behavior analytic forums, it seems as though schools and other entities are requiring “trauma-informed care” from people tasked with providing behavioral interventions, yet it isn’t clear whether trauma actually presents as anything different than the reinforcement history, or a client’s past, that would be explored routinely in any old behavior assessment.

On a recent facebook post in a behavior analytic group, one person posted, “Trauma”, “trauma-informed”, etc, is [just] the new buzzword to get grant funding and sell product”. Another poster chimed in, “Trauma? What’s the behaviors [sic] of concern? What’s the function?” This seems to imply that if we know the current function of behavior, what more do we need to know? It suggests that the resulting treatment path is likely to be no different than that for a “typically developing child” of the same age and an apparently similar behavioral repertoire.

The implication in the social media posts above seems to be, “what’s the big deal?” In other words, trauma is thought of as some in the behavior analysis community as simply another sexy concept that is meant to sell and sound good, rather than being something critical to appreciate (and to suggest differential treatment based on its presence or absence).

As a behavior analyst who has treated children and adults exposed to serious and adverse childhood experiences, I have come to appreciate that the current function is NOT the only important thing to know before treating someone’s challenging behavior patterns, or helping an adoptive parent cope with challenges a mental health therapist might call “reactive attachment”.

So what’s a BCBA to do? Continue reading →

What does hope sound like?

07 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by kolubcbad in adults, Autism, Behavior Analysis, Early Intervention, Uncategorized

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What does hope look like?

The behavioral doctor sat between house calls in her car with amazed tears streaming down her face.

Was this viral story true?

Intuitively, she knew that it must be, for she instantly recognized the chubby little face she saw on the screen. She suddenly recalled the clear little voice asking for “music!”, and a couple of weeks later, “music, please!”. She remembered when his list of words included about five. She recalled singing songs (“Way up in the sky, the little birds fly….”) to a toddler who had needed early intervention desperately.

But the story she read on facebook was also hard to believe, because this young man wrote so confidently and was about to graduate. He also sang so beautifully, as links posted by his mother—and his scholarships to prestigious programs—confirmed. It had been at least 15 years since she saw the toddler’s face, or said “do this” and prompted him to carefully stack one block on top of the other, painstakingly teaching play skills that other children seemed to learn so naturally. At the time she had worked for an early intervention program, providing or supervising up to 7 hours per day of behavior therapy to children whose tantrums often overwhelmed and injured their parents, teachers and skilled therapists—but communicated their wants and needs before they had words. And at the time, she did not know that behavior analysis would become her fulfilling career and that she would go on to study neuroscience and learn how the brain really does change with the hundreds and in some cases, thousands of hours of careful social input that certified behavior analysts are trained to provide.

But this was definitely the same little guy, except he was all grown up. Continue reading →

I’m done with this; now where do I put it?

13 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by kolubcbad in Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Cusp, Early Intervention, Education

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behavioral cusp, clean up, family empowerment coaching, give clear instructions

This is a story about a little girl, about five years old. Before she learned where things went, she learned where they DIDN’T go.

(First, a note to the teacher or student in all of us: Do you notice that adults often tell us what NOT to do? Sometimes it’s easier for adults to think about what NOT to do than what TO do.

But do you also notice that when little children hear what NOT to do, they don’t automatically understand what TO do?

This makes sense!

If it’s hard for US to articulate, it’s even more difficult for children or students to understand.

It takes practice, but you can learn to give almost ALL instructions or requests, in a way that lets the person know exactly what to do.

It’s the first lesson of being a great therapist, and it’s better than wishing a significant other could read your mind.

And you can do it. These stories show two different ways this strategy could be used.)

Carlie was a little artist and avid reader, and with alone time, loved nothing better than taking out ALL the art supplies, all the stuffed animals who needed to watch, and surrounding herself in the bedroom with piles and piles of STUFF. She changed clothes often, and changed shoes just as often, and the piles grew every afternoon.

Often at night, before getting tucked into bed, she scrambled to push the piles to the corners, and artfully arranged pillows over the piles. Other piles she pushed under her bed, where a perfectly positioned bedskirt hid them from mama’s eyes during a bedtime story or conversation about kids at kindergarten that day.

And it worked for a while. But one rainy Saturday morning, her other chores were all finished, and Mama said the dreaded phrase: “Why don’t you clean your room? I can help if you need me to.”

No! Not the offer to help! And sure enough, the little girl sat sobbing on the floor for what seemed like hours, as Mama lay on the bed, sometimes only her feet showing, as she pulled out pile after pile of clothing, moldy bowls and cups, ruined art projects and half-eaten cereal science projects. And the little girl was embarrassed, for now Mama knew her messy (somewhat naughty) secret.

But wait!

Now that Mama knew the secret, Mama could solve the problem. Now she knew that the REAL secret was this: The little girl, even after all this time, had no idea where to put things! At least, it hadn’t “stuck”. Now, Mama and the little girl organized the room TOGETHER. The little girl decided where everything went. Mama helped her make places for things: they hung up a net for stuffed animals, Carlie made colorful signs labeling spots for books, art supplies, and even “things to take to the kitchen”! Now she had a place to put everything. And Mama had a much more specific way to help. Saying “clean up your room” hadn’t usually resulted in a clean room. Instead, saying “put everything back where it goes” somehow made a huge difference for Carlie.

It’s not that hard, unusual, or impressive.

But if you’re not already helping kids figure out where they CAN put things, try it: it’s a lot easier to clean up when you do!

It’s true for their behavior too.

A couple of years ago, three year old Carlie had just graduated to a “big girl seat” but was kicking at the breakfast table. Every day mom threatened to put her back in her “little girl”seat and every breakfast ended in tears with Carlie back in her “little girl” seat.

But wait, thought Carlie’s mom. She’d just enrolled in a parenting course, and remembered to apply a strategy from class. “Where CAN Carlie kick? When can she kick? Who will play with her? And most importantly… what can Carlie do at breakfast, INSTEAD?”

Fast forward 1 day. Carlie’s mom has purchased a tiny stool. Carlie’s feet rest there. Each breakfast begins with a happy discussion of what she can do with her feet. She can put them on the stool! Then they discuss what they can do after breakfast. We can go outside in the yard and play ball! We can practice our kicks, we can bring our dolls, and we can have fun!

Fast forward 2 minutes. Usually, Carlie starts kicking about 3 minutes after breakfast started. So today, Mom said “Wow, Carlie! Your feet are safe on the stool! I love it. It’s fun having breakfast with you in our big girl chairs!”

Now, this was just one example, with a minor behavior. The behaviors some parents think are problematic are not priorities to other parents. Find what will work for YOUR family or team. Cusp Emergence offers family empowerment coaching. Contact us for more information or to share your story!

Bottom Line: Give clear instructions and involve learners in creating and enjoying supportive structure or alternative behaviors, the way Carlie learned to enjoy active playtime after her breakfast, or participated in creating her bedroom’s “places to put things”.

Note: Did you wonder why this post is in the “behavior cusp” category? Giving clear instructions is so important a skill for caregivers and teachers, that I have often observed them able to access new levels of teaching and instruction when they learn how. Mastering a strategy like this can be a “cusp” for teachers and parents, making it easier to promote appropriate behavior and engagement in their families and teams.

HELP- There’s a monster in my toybox!

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by kolubcbad in Autism, Behavior Analysis, Community, Early Intervention, Education, play, Rett's, Social Interaction

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autism, behavior support, early intervention, individualized, play, social emotional support

Part 1 of Series: Helping caregivers and teachers support children to meet fearful challenges

Shannon’s Story

Shannon and Gina sat in a free play area near their preschool teacher. “SQUAWK!” came the loud animal sound when Gina pushed the button on a new toy. As the toy noise grew louder, Shannon’s eyes opened wider and wider until she froze, a look of sheer terror on her face. She started to back away and wailed, sinking onto the floor and crying.”Oh no,” gasped her teacher. “Put that toy away!” While Shannon cried, their teacher pulled Gina aside and said “I’m sorry, but Shannon is afraid of that toy. Next time we will remember to play with it when she’s in another room.”

Devon’s Mom’s Dilemma

Devon and his mom Jenny walked down the sidewalk with their next door neighbors. As they neared the playground, Devon suddenly grabbed his mother’s skirt tightly and shrieked. “NO BIRDIES! NO DOGGIES!” At this, Jenny’s face grew red as she picked up Devon and held him tightly. She looked at her neighbor helplessly and apologized: “I’m just so sorry… We can’t go any further with you. He’s been doing this every time. He has this issue with ducks and dogs and birds now. I think even if we don’t see one he’ll be afraid one might get him.”

Toward more supportive, long term strategies

At first, it may seem supportive to shield a child from their fears.

But both teachers and parents want and need solutions that will ultimately help children face and overcome challenges. So when there is a question, especially when a particular strategy feels good or soothing or produces relief in the short term, it’s a good idea to ask ourselves, “is this procedure also supportive in the long term?”

If not, how can Shannon’s teacher and Devon’s mom learn a more therapeutic approach? And why is that important? Let’s review these scenarios again, to better understand why and how to take a supportive long term approach. What might Shannon’s interaction with the toy, and Devon’s interaction with park creatures, have in common?

First, these scenarios are similar in how they are resolved.

In both interactions, a pattern is being established: the child first encounters a fear, or “fear inducing stimulus”, and then others respond by helping the child to escape or avoid it.

Second, these scenarios are similar in how they affect other people.

From the perspective of Shannon’s peers, her inability to play with that toy meant that they couldn’t either, at least not when she was around. From the perspective of Devon’s neighbor, the neighborhood kids couldn’t play with Devon in a park. This concept, the idea that Devon can’t play in the park, and that Shannon can’t play with toys that make animal sounds, limits interaction opportunities. It also risks changing the way peers think about approaching Shannon and Devon.

Third, these scenarios have similar “reductive” effects on the children’s “repertoire” or world. Have you ever met a family member or caregiver who says, “we used to love to do ___” but we can’t anymore”? Perhaps a family used to go to the movies, or out to dinner, or have friends over, or go to museums, or go hiking. During the initial conversation with families, that blank is filled in by all the things they need to avoid now because of fears of how people will react, fears that it won’t go well, fears that it will be too difficult, embarrassing, or noisy. Often those fears are REAL at the time! Perhaps people DID stare and talk at church when a family’s child loudly refused to stop standing on the pew. Perhaps all the teachers and mothers DID stare and talk in the parking lot as a child disrobed in public and threw a tantrum before leaving the store. Perhaps it WILL be difficult, embarrassing, or noisy. But keep reading. We can do this together.

Fourth, understand it’s a cycle: handling scenarios by allowing “fear habits” to persist, allows learners to skip learning opportunities and continue to repeat old harmful habits instead.

If Shannon and Devon can’t play with certain toys or in certain places, they have reduced opportunities to learn about those things and places, and no opportunity to learn that they are NOT scary.

Fifth, if these scenarios become habits, they make it more difficult for the child to handle or face similar or other fears in the future. These situations do not teach the child how to be more successful in coping with scary, new or different events.

Bottom Line: Instead of stopping or thwarting learning opportunities, we can expand them.

Come back Friday to learn how!

School of Play

04 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by kolubcbad in Autism, Behavior Analysis, Early Intervention, Education, play, Social Interaction, Uncategorized

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autism, behavior management, language, leisure skills, play, school of play, social emotional support

School of Play ©
Our school of play division provides one-time, brief, or long-term play or leisure skill-based individualized client supports, training, and education.

WHO can benefit?
Groups: Schools, classes, churches, businesses (gyms, pediatric doctors or dentist groups, therapists)
Families: Families affected by behavioral, developmental, social, emotional, or other challenges
Individuals: Children, staff, teachers, administrators

WHEN?
Our clients can benefit from School of Play © services whenever:
-A child gym owner sees staff struggling to help young mothers engage their children in play, interaction, or language, and enjoy the gym activities at the same time
-A community or church member runs a play group in a church or gym, and is not sure what to do differently to support new students with autism
-A community or church play group is not sure how to support children with language delays
-A parent needs the babysitter to manage behavior more effectively when supporting the family’s children
-A parent’s child with autism doesn’t know how to play with his siblings
-A family’s two year old with autism doesn’t like to play with his parents
-A family’s or organization’s group of therapists is great at 1:1 instruction, but they need help getting children to interact with each other
-An organization’s therapists are highly skilled at discrete teaching, but provide less effective naturalistic teaching

WHY does it work?
Cusp Emergence provides play and leisure skill support that is:
-Compatible with IFSP or IEP goals
-In some cases, able to be funded by a state’s early intervention services if the client qualifies
able to improve family or team interaction
-supportive of social, emotional, or behavioral wellness
-provided in the community or home setting
-consistent with research proven methods with demonstrated effectiveness
-administered by qualified, educated, trainers with extensive experience collaborating with parents, educators, therapists and community members

HOW can clients benefit?
-Learn to arrange environments to make appropriate effective language and communication more likely
-Learn to arrange environments to support play
-Learn to teach staff, babysitters, community, or family members to provide supportive environments
-Learn to arrange environments that prevent behavior challenges
-Receive support from our School of Play division in your group or home

HOW does it work?
-An initial consultation takes place to discuss the family’s or group’s needs
-Next, a workshop or future education is planned based on individual needs
-Follow up support is available for families or groups on a schedule determined together with the client

(click here to check out Building Your Workshop)

Social Emotional Support: Part 3 (How does it work?)

15 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by kolubcbad in Autism, Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Cusp, Community, Early Intervention, Social Interaction, Uncategorized

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autism, early intervention, individualized, intensity, S/E, social emotional support

Social Emotional Support should be practical, and fit into a child’s family routine or team involvement.

How does Social Emotional Support work with other therapies? Does it replace Speech Therapy?
Social Emotional Support can complement, but does not usually replace, therapy by an experienced, licensed and trained speech therapist, especially if the child is diagnosed with an issue that would benefit from Speech Therapy. Instead, S/E can facilitate other therapies the child is already receiving, and brings a therapeutic perspective that can enhance the benefit of Speech, Occupational, Physical, or other supports. For example, some children may use dangerous or unsafe behaviors, or escape from unbearable or undesirable situations after inappropriate behavior. Other children benefit from learning how to “turn down” or “turn up” sensory stimulation, without using unsafe behavior. They can learn safe ways to express that there is too much, too little, or uncomfortable stimulation. We can help other therapists to integrate behavioral wellness into their sessions, and how to incorporate motivation and timing and behavior techniques into their strategies. Note: Some of the most powerful technologies in teaching children with autism (and diverse learners worldwide) have been generated by behavior analysts who collaborate with, or have backgrounds in, speech and language therapy. (PECS, or the Picture Exchange Communication System, is a good example of this.)

How do we do it?
Step 1: Assessment
A behavior analyst as S/E provider can assess a child’s strengths, challenging behavior, and family’s concerns, then generate individualized strategies to support the child’s growth. Often an assessment called an FBA, or Functional Behavior Assessment, is conducted over a couple of weeks to understand the reasons and ways that the environment is contributing to the child’s challenges. We learn what situations are most difficult and how to address them by strengthening more appropriate and successful alternative ways for learners to meet their needs.

Step 2: Collaborate
Next, we team with the child’s family and other providers or community members. We use a collaborative strength-based service model to determine measurable goals the child will meet by learning new skills, behaviors, and new ways to use their strengths. Then we discuss ways (strategies) that will be used to get there.

Step 3: Teach family and therapists to use consistent strategies; monitor strategy effectiveness
Collaboration results in setting measurable goals and developing a plan listing specific strategies families will use to meet the goal.

Families often ask whether we use individualized strategies or apply the same kind of support to every child.
We use individualized support. There are also many core “evidence-based” strategies that we use because research and practical application consistently shows they benefit children with autism and related challenges. Read more about the EI Colorado recommended strategies here.

Step 4: Support the child’s transition out of early intervention.
This step involves thoughtful planning for how the child and family will move to the next steps and environments as needed. Local agencies partner with schools to provide families with options for continued therapies in preschool if needed. Social emotional support providers can work with families to put the currently effective strategies in writing to share with important new people in the child’s life. Some families benefit from continued consultation from a BCBA, who can help teach preschool teachers and therapists how to keep making progress by providing continued individualized support based on the child’s needs. (Check out a previous related post on supporting a child’s transition).

Social Emotional Support and Intensity of Behavior Analytic Intervention
Although intensive intervention is recommended and effective for building skills and relationships with children with autism, the intensive aspect of intervention is not characteristic of the time-limited S/E support under Early Intervention Colorado’s guidelines. Instead, this model provides a brief assessment as needed followed by an hour or so of weekly therapy with the child that consistently includes caregiver education. By focusing on engineering change in families and team members, we set caregivers up to learn preventative successful techniques to support their child’s speech, motor, play, self-help and social skills.

Cusp Emergence

~ Collaborating ~ Consulting ~ Constructing Repertoires

Category Archives: Early Intervention

Trauma-informed behavior analysis, Part 4: On terms (Is “trauma” behavioral?)

What does hope sound like?

I’m done with this; now where do I put it?