Autism: Beyond the Basics August 16, 2017

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) What is it? What is your experience with Autism in the general education classroom? What are your biggest challenges of instructing students with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Inclusive Education What is it? Why is it important? Inclusion is not just about the presence of someone being in the same environment as other, but also the participation within that environment.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) If it is behavior, it can be observed. Antecedent → Behavior → Consequence Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Scientifically proven and Evidence-Based approach to studying and modifying behavior

“Where evidence is strong, we should act on it “Where evidence is strong, we should act on it. Where evidence is suggestive, we should consider it. Where evidence is weak, we should build the knowledge to support better decisions in the future” (Zients 2012, p. 1).

Strategies of ABA Functions of Behavior Antecedent strategies Task Analysis Discrete Trial Training Differential Reinforcement Prompting Naturalistic Intervention Peer Mediation Time Delay Schedules Visuals Strategies of ABA

Antecedent Strategies Priming Create awareness to make routines/days more predictable Antecedent Strategies Visual schedules Whole group Within topic Individual Visual expectations Clear, concise, and referenced often Preventive measures, used before a behavior to reduce challenging behaviors Social stories What? How? Arrangement of classroom

Set expectations & follow through "High expectations should be the norm, not the exception." Expectations Reasonable and necessary Clear and understandable Consistent Set expectations & follow through

How long is between your direction and prompt? Time Delay How long is between your direction and prompt?

Prompting Anything you add to guide the student to the right response. Mention within stimulus prompting

Task Analysis & Discrete Trial Training Task Analysis: The process of breaking down an activity into smaller components. Discrete Trial Training: Teaching one step to mastery before moving on. What foundational skills are necessary in order to be successful with an activity? Think of a “How-to” article or paper. What steps do you need to complete the task at hand? Broken down into small, clear steps Many repetitions Clear instructions Rewards Consistent Predictable Examples: Washing hands Transitioning to line up Getting ready for recess

Peer Mediation Positive Interdependence Benefits both students! Not a “teacher’s helper”

Reinforcement Must be meaningful to the student, tells student the behavior has value Increase the likelihood the desired behavior will occur again Ask: What has value to this student? What will motivate them to engage in an activity? Plan: How and when do you give reinforcements?

Differential Reinforcement Procedure to apply reinforcement in attempt to reduce interfering behaviors “Behavior that is followed by reinforcing consequences tends to be repeated”

Differential Reinforcement

Functions of behavior: Why is this happening? Functions of behavior: Escape or Access

Resources www.youAUT-aknow.com www.autisminternetmodules.org Safe Schools www.autismsupportnetwork.com http://www.iloveaba.com/2012/09/aba-in-classroom.html The Evidence-Based Practice of Applied Behavior Analysis Slocum, Timothy ; Detrich, Ronnie ; Wilczynski, Susan ; Spencer, Trina ; Lewis, Teri ; Wolfe, Katie The Behavior Analyst, 2014, Vol.37(1), pp.41-56 [Peer Reviewed Journal]