Increasing Understanding to Affect Behavior for Children with ASD Dr. Sharon Darley, Ed.D. GAPBS Conference December 3, 2014

Function of Behaviors For individuals on the Autism Spectrum, the function of the behavior may be significantly different than expected and, therefore, require a significantly different approach to address.

Additional Functions of Behavior for individuals on the spectrum Routine Ways to address routine behaviors: A choice board for options other than Use the routine to develop useful behaviors Whistle box carpets

Additional Functions of Behavior for individuals on the spectrum Ritual Solution for ritualistic behaviors: Add an additional step in the routine Change the routine at the typical onset Present a distraction Ex. Emeka at the door frame and Suzette’s sweaty experience

Additional Functions of Behavior for individuals on the spectrum Deficit in inhibition Solutions for deficits in inhibition: Use repetitive phrases Give an unrelated set of directions Visual behavior scale Limit the number of times the student can perform the action with a visual Count to sustain an incompatible action Ex. Counting so Jude will be quiet.

Additional Functions of Behavior for individuals on the spectrum Lack of understanding Solutions for lack of understanding: Social Stories Toontastic app Cartooning

Additional Functions of Behavior for individuals on the spectrum Communication Solutions: Give them the words to say that they used the behavior to communicate Teach phrases commonly used in a structured setting Make a list of things that can and cannot be said in specific situations Ex. Jude saying “no”

Executive Functioning Using multiple brain systems at the same time to perform a task Recent research showing promise on how to teach executive functioning to individuals on the spectrum using: Social Stories™ Video Modeling Power Cards

Contact information Sharon Darley kitdkitd@aol.com Write GAPBS conference in the subject line, please