This afternoon, you will be working on a school science project with your classmates, Joan and Timmy. The three of you are doing the project at Joan's house.
Some autistic kids may not know you are addressing them, if you don't call out their name.
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)
Not recommended. When Johnnie acts in a socially inappropriate manner, it
is best not to give him attention. This will only encourage him to continue
acting in this manner whenever he wants your attention. If possible, try
to show and tell Johnnie what he should do, eg. "Johnnie,
just tap my arm." Sometimes, he may be touching you (or even hitting you),
just to see your response. He may find your facial expression (eg. eyes
opening wider) or vocal expression (eg. "ouch") visually or auditorally
stimulating. You are advised to ignore this behaviour, or simply not show
any reaction. Click here to
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)Recommended.
At this time, you should just ignore any socially inappropriate behaviour.
This is to discourage Johnnie from getting your attention in the wrong manner.
If possible, you could show and tell Johnnie what to do, eg.
"Johnnie, just tap my arm." Sometimes, he may be touching you (or even hitting
you), just to see your response. He may find your facial expression (eg.
eyes opening wider) or vocal expression (eg. "ouch") visually or auditorally
stimulating. You are advised to ignore this behaviour, or simply not show
any reaction. Click here to
continue
)
That's the spirit! As with all kids, reward Johnnie for doing the right
thing - as often as possible. You will thus encourage appropriate behaviour.
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)
Although you may know exactly what is socially appropriate, but Johnnie
does not necessarily understand. Your guidance - and encouragement - will
help him to cultivate good habits. Be generous with your praise when Johnnie
has cooperative behaviour. Click
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)
In this case, Johnnie likes to watch a certain chicken video, and Joan knows
that he has some unfinished homework. Joan should use the video as a reward
for doing homework, especially if the homework is something that Johnnie
finds unpleasant and has been avoiding. Click
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)
Joan should offer the chicken video as a reward for doing homework instead.
This is an excellent way to motivate Johnnie to tackle his maths homework,
especially if Johnnie finds it unpleasant and has been avoiding the homework.
Otherwise, later, when Johnnie has enjoyed the chicken video, it will more
difficult to get him to do something unpleasant.. Click
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)
Joan should definitely not allow Johnnie to get his way, just because he
is throwing temper tantrums. Joan should be very consistent about her decision,
and give lots of praise to Johnnie when he has calmed down. Click
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)Yes,
Joan should not encourage Johnnie to throw tantrums whenever he cannot get
his way. Instead, Joan should be very consistent about her decision, and
give lots of praise to Johnnie when he has calmed down. Click
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)
Yes, certain sounds can be quite upsetting to children with autism. Clearly,
Johnnie is covering his ears because he does not like the sound of jazz
music, but Mozart seems to be pleasant for him. Joan can probably turn the
Mozart music back on. Temple Grandin, a gifted animal scientist and a woman
with autism, wrote in her autobiography: "What do autistic children hear?
Sometimes I heard and understood and other times sounds or speech reached
my brain like the unbearable noise of an onrushing freight train. Noise
and confusion of large gatherings of people overwhelmed my senses." Johnnie
unusual response was probably an attempt to filter out the unpleasant noises.
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)
This is not a case of tantrums. Johnnie is obviously being upset by certain
noises in his environment. Temple Grandin, a gifted animal scientist and
a woman with autism, wrote in her autobiography: "What do autistic children
hear? Sometimes I heard and understood and other times sounds or speech
reached my brain like the unbearable noise of an onrushing freight train.
Noise and confusion of large gatherings of people overwhelmed my senses."
Johnnie unusual response was probably an attempt to filter out the unpleasant
noises - the jazz music in this case. It would be best, as well as kind,
to simply turn off the music. However, Joan can probably turn the Mozart
music back on, since it seems to calm Johnnie down. Click
here to continue
)
Johnnie's stereotyped ritualistic behaviours probably disrupt family life
to an extent (eg. family members will have to walk over the cars) and probably
distracts him from the learning of other skills (because they take up so
much time and attention). They should be reduced as far as possible, not
encouraged. There are general two strategies that his family can use: a)
improve Johnnie's communication skills and play ability to reduce need/
time to engage in obsessional activities, eg. by teaching him how to roll
the cars along the ground or a race track, instead of simply lining them
up in rows. b) gradually decrease the amount of time/ number of items/ number
of places where Johnnie can engage in his ritualistic behaviour, eg. next
week, Johnnie will not be allowed to put the cars in the kitchen doorway;
the following week, his parent's bedroom, etc. Click
here to continue
)
Johnnie's stereotyped ritualistic behaviours probably disrupt family life
to an extent (eg. family members will have to walk over the cars) and probably
distracts him from the learning of other important skills (because they
take up so much time and attention). They should be reduced as far as possible.
There are general two strategies that his family can use: a) improve Johnnie's
communication skills and play ability to reduce need/ time to engage in
obsessional activities, eg. by teaching him how to roll the cars along the
ground or a race track, instead of simply lining them up in rows. b) gradually
decrease the amount of time/ number of items/ number of places where Johnnie
can engage in his ritualistic behaviour, eg. next week, Johnnie will not
be allowed to put the cars in the kitchen doorway; the following week, his
parent's bedroom, etc. Click
here to continue