Wednesday, 07 November 2012
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Needed: Advice on Playing with Aspergers Children
This is my first post to the community. Hopefully I'll be able to find some answers here.
I am working towards my degree in psychology, and have started a part-time job as a Behavior Interventionist.
Those that are unfamiliar with that term - it is a job where we work with certified ABA therapists/consultants and execute the program that was devised by the therapist/consultant. As BIs we do not have any say in changing the pre-designed program, we simply execute it and assist the child to complete the programs bit by bit.I'm very excited to start working in this field, but I also feel lost that I have not much idea what I'm doing. The limited information I know about Aspergers and ABA is simply from a children psychology course (totally not enough.). I've been trying to do more research on it and try to gain a deeper understanding but right now I have a few questions that I'm not sure where to ask.. so I thought maybe I'll take my chance here.
My supervisor has been giving me some very basic training, and a few hours of observation. But since the funding from the government does not allow a lot of training, I will soon be on my own with the client. The child is very very young, and has just started fresh in the program.
So far my observation with the child is that their ability to concentrate is quite low, and is still on early stages of reducing basic problem behaviors. I'm concern that in my short 1~3 hours of sessions, how can I keep this child focused on me? They are obviously not attached to me yet since I have only met them for a few hours. And keeping them in a space for a few hours, away from the people that they are much more comfortable with, definitely does not sound too fun for the child.
What kind of play can I try with this pre-school aged child, with minimal language abilities at this point, that will be helpful in building a relationship with this child soon? What things should be I be careful not to do? Should I use a range of vocabulary, or keep to simple one to two words per sentence? What are some games that I can do without purchasing actual toys? Please give me some advice, thank you very much.
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Comments (11)
They probably know more words than they appear to. I've noticed that children like that prefer visual-spatial games, however, and numbers. I was in special ed. I grew out of it only to get schizophrenia again later.
It sounds like you have the same job as me-- I'm a TSS (therapeutic staff support). It's a bogus and horrible job, we are treated like slaves and never get enough hours to make a living wage. And they expect you to somehow have intuitive knowledge about severely disabled populations with no experience and little to no education. Plus buying your own games and activities with the kids.
Find simple puzzles and give little rewards/"reinforcers" (like: crackers, time to watch their favorite show) when they comply. Play songs. Have you ever heard of PECS? You can make a picture schedule so that your client knows what to expect. You can also pair pictures with certain verbal prompts, either that you direct the client or that the client directs to you. For example: if he wants water, he can point to the picture. Once he starts getting used to that, you can get him to begin verbalizing as well.
Be slow, don't use too much language (because they have so many audio processing issues), don't demand eye contact (they often look out of the side, top, or bottom of their eyes because their is too much info to process). Like wise, make the area free of distractions and stimuli. I think you will find they want to learn.
First off you need to realize something. Someone with Asperger's, child or not is HUMAN, just like you and me. I would play with them just like any other children. If need be, you can be a bit more direct and instructive if you like, but other than that, as someone already diagnosed with Asperger's, the very definition just means high-functioning Autism.
It's not that bad, and there are bad times. Recognize it when there is a problem and act at that time as you would with any other child. With patience, love, and kindness. Here's wishing happy play times ahead for you.
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Hi. I started in special Ed in your field as a BI years ago and I now have my classroom full of kids with autism. Yours can be a very fulfilling job. As the saying goes, if you've met one kid with autism, you've met one kid with autism. They are all different in abilities, interests, and personalities. Many kids also hide their communication abilities as socialization and eye contact isn't exactly a strong point with them. I would use the first session to just build rapport. Do a reinforcement inventory by allowing the child to play with different items to seem which ones they find most reinforcing. Talk to the family and child and they too will divulge info. Children will make extra efforts to tell you what toy or game they want if it is reinforcing enough. Many agencies and clinics keep a room or closet of reinforcements clinicians and BIs can checkout. Another person to talk to is your BCBA supervisor as he or she had to observe and assess the child at some point. Ask the parent about the child's diet to see if you can bring small candy items like fruit snacks and m&ms, goldfish, cheez its, and so on. Many kids with autism have items or topics which they find extremely stimulating to the point of obsession. See if you can find out if your client has such an interest. If you do not have kid books, go to the library or dollar store to get coloring books and kid books to see if the kid likes these. Your first session should be about getting the family and child to like you so that you may bond and better connect as they will better learn from you if they do so. I hope this helps. Good luck and have fun! :)
I would use simple blocks or even boxes. Almost any child can play with boxes.
Forming a bond? Just be there at first. The child will perhaps approach you or indicate a need for you -- eventually. You need not feel awkward if the child makes only a little progress and even if that is lost between sessions. If the child is looking comfortable, close proximity is good. If the child looks withdrawn or scared, moving back a bit and softer language and so on.
If you have any experience with babies, that is a help. There must be web articles. I myself do not work with such young children. Develop a keen eye for observing when the child needs you. You will be fine.
You didn't mention outcomes. There ought to be some expectations.
Hello everyone, I'm the OP.
Thank you so much for the advice.
I did a few more sessions with the child ever since I submitted that post and I am still working on building a relationship with the child.
@JustGoingAnywhere@xanga - One thing is, the child does not have many games to start with. Parents seem to be satisfied by providing them a tablet with lots of apps installed, and many DVDs for cartoons.
A few blocks and heaps of puzzles is all there is as "toys" right now.
@mommywholoveshim - I have been trying to simplify my language to words that relate to the game-play directly (Like saying, purple when they group a heap of purple items together) and singing ABCs to him when we're playing with some blocks that have the alphabet printed on it. To my surprise, the child has been trying to sing along. Or is that actually too much audio-stimulation already?
However the behaviors are still very present, and frustrationeasily destroys any kind of play...
@DrummingMediocrity@xanga - Thanks for the advice! Sounds like you've been having a fustrating time with your clients.. I've heard some horror stories where BI salary went unpaid for months.. I'm sincerely hoping that's not the case or I will soon be forced out of the field as I have a very heavy student loan on my back with no one able to help me to pay it back except myself..
@eshunt@revelife - As in primary goals? Right now the main work seems to be focusing on gaining attention of the child.. Being still for more than 1 minute right now is still a bit challenging for them.
I have a disorder with many of the same characteristics as Aspberger's (non-verbal learning disorder). I can tell you a few of the play activities my mom did to help me successfully succeed in life:
- Board games (Candyland, Memory, etc.) : they help eye contact, enforce social rules, etc. - Relaxing, non-over stimulating activities (blocks, coloring, etc.): ensures that the child isn't overstimulated- "Make-Believe" Activities (playing store, school, restaurant, etc.) - again help with the enforcement of social rules, facial expressions, etc.
@dw817@xanga - I disagree. You can treat them "normal" to an extent, but you have to realize they have needs that need to be met. Certain activities are more appropriate than others. Disability or not, each child develops differently and Aspberger's (and any other ASD) happens to affect development. Certain things need to be reinforced, taught, etc. Growing up with an ASD, I used to resent my mom treating me "differently", but now that I'm older and succeeding in the world, I sure as hell appreciate it.
Apps and puzzles are great if it is reinforcing to the child. Also, if you use yourself as the reinforcer, that is free: high fives, tickles, sound effects, etc. Apps are not so great for socialization unless you are taking a photo together with the iPad. Puzzles, you can build as a team, which can encourage socialization and communication. That is great that the child likes to sing! You can sing different songs as a reinforcer! I would definitively still bring in different novelties and toys even if the parent has some because what you bring is not constantly available to the child, which makes it more reinforcing. Do you have musical items since the child likes to sing?
Two things:
Children with Asperger's rarely have limited language abilities. They're typically very verbose for their age if vaguely asocial. Are you sure you're not playing with a possibly high functioning autistic child? Second, have you tried posting this in Austiable? It's autistics, their family and those that love them.
http://www.autisable.com/