AST In Touch Winter 2015 by Learn It

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Round 3: v1 (from previous round)

AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES

R4 Logo, Version 1 Palette from Press Kit/R2v8 Modified Orange to Fuscia blend

AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES

R4 Logo, Version 2 Palette from Press Kit/R2v8 Modified Orange to Fuscia blend Added transparency to the purple gradient circle

AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES

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IN TOUCH 2015 with Autism Spectrum Therapies™

Overlapping circles represent the variety of therapies, services, approaches to patients and families across the spectrum. The transparency represent the multi-disciplary approach - with solutions that cross over and effect each other. The colors and shapes maintain a youthful, bubble-like appearance. The palette is warm bright, energetic and cheerful. The gradated color implies motion and activity

AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES

The initials are made from a tall, thin structured typeface which is strong, fluid and somewhat contemporary with a stroke that is slightly related the existing script typeface Full name is in a clean, sans serif typeface that is less decorative to ensure legibility - yet remains related to the new initials.

AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES

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AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES

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4 THE SCIENCE OF LEARNING WHY ABA IS THE GOLD STANDARD

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ABA SETS THE STANDARD The mission of changing people’s lives and giving them the tools they need to direct their own futures.

ADVICE TO PARENTS FROM A YOUNG ADULT WITH AUTISM Sean Sullivan shares his firsthand advice for families living with autism.

THE BLOG POST 365 Days to make progress

IN TOUCH WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES™

THE USE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF ABA (APPLIED

STORY BY

BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS) TO SUCCESSFULLY TEACH

Andrea Ridgway, Ph.D., BCBA-D Vice President, Clinical Services Licensed Psychologist CA #PSY 21533 and LA #995

INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM A WIDE RANGE OF SKILLS HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED FOR DECADES. IT IS THE MOST WIDELY RESEARCHED AND EMPIRICALLY VALIDATED TREATMENT AVAILABLE AND HAS TRANSFORMED THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH AUTISM.

Each person will not respond equally to the same intervention and the behaviors they are exhibiting do not serve the same function. Therefore, programs must be individualized to the needs of each individual and function(s) of the target behavior for ABA to be effective.

Depending on the results of an individual child’s assessment, an early intervention program for a child diagnosed with autism may include at least 25 hours of direct, one on one intervention. The ideal setting is the child’s natural environment, which is

IN TOUCH WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES™

Ronit Molko, Ph.D., BCBA-D President Autism Services Licensed Psychologist CA #PSY 18332 and WA #PY 60330414

However, mention the term “ABA” and you are often either met with enthusiasm or a blank stare. Despite the large body of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of ABA when it comes to treating autism and related disorders, there is a lot of confusion about what the interventions based on the science of applied behavior analysis look like and how they work.

Effective interventions based on the science of ABA is anything but a “one size fits all” approach. The best ABA programs are customized to fit the individual needs, preferences, and interests of every learner and their family. They are tailored to fit well within the natural routines of the family’s home, cultural norms and traditions, as well as their community. This is the hallmark of ABA- each person will not respond equally to the same intervention and the behaviors they are exhibiting do not serve the same function. Therefore, programs must be individualized to the needs of each individual and function(s) of the target behavior for ABA to be effective.

Gina T. Chang, Ph.D., BCBA-D Senior Clinical Director Licensed Psychologist CA #PSY 26473

typically the home (under the age of three) and a combination of the home and preschool setting between the ages of 3-5. For school-aged kids, the first priority is to have them in the least restrictive school environment with as many typically developing peers as possible along with the appropriate supports. ABA at this stage can happen in the school setting, at home and in the community.” The goals range from communication, social, and selfhelp skills and focus on teaching the child to master additional skills by providing reinforcement through playfocused activities using toys such as play dough, blocks, and crayons. A good interventionist will find activities and games which are engaging and meaningful to the child so that he is

THE GOLD STANDARD motivated to participate. Leveraging this motivation, the interventionist can teach the child communication skills to request, label objects, comment on his environment and interact socially. Behavior is managed using social reinforcement (e.g., highfives; “good job using your words”) for appropriate behavior and extinction1 for inappropriate behavior. The scientific basis for the principles of ABA can be traced back to the late 1950s and early 1960s, during which a series of studies were conducted using the principles of operant conditioning2 to improve the lives of individuals. Initially, these principles of learning were used to change behavior with individuals who had a spectrum of psychological disorders as well as individuals who had behavioral issues. The use of ABA with persons with autism was made famous by Ivar Lovaas, Ph.D. at University of California Los Angeles; however, since his initial research, the application of ABA with persons with autism has

changed tremendously. Lovaas’ early inception of the use of ABA with persons with autism included sterile clinic rooms, robotic repetition of “mass trials” and highly artificial delivery of rewards and punishments for appropriate and inappropriate behaviors which, at times, led to a negative bias towards ABA. ABA is really the science of learning and it gives us the tools to break down the skills we want to teach into small steps and help the learner acquire these skills at their own pace. ABA has basic, fundamental characteristics and scientific principles that were developed over decades ago that have remained steadfast over the years of its evolution as a methodology.

1. No longer providing reinforcement for previously reinforced target behaviors. 2. Increasing or decreasing the probability of the future occurrence of behavior through the use of reinforcement, extinction, and/or punishment.

IN TOUCH WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES™

WHY AUTISM AWARENESS MATTERS WHEN A PARENT RECEIVES AN AUTISM DIAGNOSIS, OFTEN THEIR FIRST THOUGHT IS “WILL MY CHILD BE OK?” FOLLOWED BY “WHAT DO I DO NOW?”.

Awareness of autism and other disabilities is growing but there is still an urgent need for a more robust conversation about what the community needs - and why. Having spent years in the special needs community and working in autism services, I find that I am profoundly motivated to support quality conversations about the challenges, triumphs and extraordinary individuals in all our communities who are living with autism. Speak to any parent about their experience on this journey and you will be compelled by their “why”. Speak to an adult who has created a path for themselves where they once thought there was none, and you will be inspired by their “why!” Nothing has summarized the “why” for me as clearly and concisely as a simple graph drawn by a colleague when he first explained the remarkable benefits of early intervention. I think this graph could change the world ...or at least get people thinking. A strong, upward trending line shows the steady path of a typical child’s development. The one beneath illustrates the slower and less predictable path that is commonly associated with autism. But the one in the middle - that’s the one to take note of! That beautiful upward squiggle shows the life altering change in the development of a child who receives early intervention. The earlier intervention starts, the better the odds are that the development of a child with autism will change course and more closely match the trajectory of the typically developing child. And for some, they will actually catch up to the point that they are developmentally indistinguishable from their typically developing peers. 4

IN TOUCH WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES™

There is no debate about this. At the very first sign of a developmental delay, whether it be lack of eye contact, delayed speech, or social skills….at the very earliest sign, intervention should be sought. So why aren’t more people talking about it? Why aren’t we wearing hip t-shirts about it, or seeing bumper stickers??? The simple truth is that in most cases, people don’t want to have the conversation. It’s scary to consider that your child may need help, and it’s uncomfortable for loved ones to suggest such a thing. So maybe it’s not time (yet) for t-shirts, but how about sharing a simple, and inspiring graph?

THE POWER OF EARLY INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT

Unfortunately, far too many parents are left to their own devices trying figure out what to expect and plan for. There is often a great divide between the extremes of parents who are inundated by service options, dietary concerns, and experimental treatments, and others who are completely lacking in resources and access to appropriate services.

Typically Developing

AGE

Developmental Delay With Early Intervention Developmental Delay Without Early Intervention Indicates Range of Development With Early Intervention DISCLAIMER: This graph is intended to show the potential of early intervention. Every child with autism is unique. As such, development will vary.

Advice to Parents from a Young Adult with Autism

- BY SEAN SULLIVAN

To be able to truly help others with autism, you have to be able to understand where the people with autism that you are trying to help - are coming from and their point of view. I am passionate about sharing my story and offering what has helped me be successful as well as what did not work so well. To begin with, let me state that nothing I am about to say has been tested or proven to work, but then neither has it been disproven. This comes from my unique insight, hindsight, my personal experience, observations, and knowledge. I think of myself as a protector of people with challenges of all types, shapes, and sizes. To be a successful parent to your children, here are my recommendations:

Relate to Your Child & Listen Walking in your child’s shoes is key, as is patience, imagination, and lots of love. In order to help your children, you need to be able to relate to them, and in order to do that well, you need to pretend you are them, observe them intensely, notice everything and communicate properly. This is the only way you can make them feel good, important, needed, happy, and productive — these feelings are crucial!

Be Flexible More than likely, you deal with behaviors that are unfamiliar and unpredictable, often with no pattern whatsoever. Keep in mind and remember that each disability is very different and has dissimilar levels, forms, and considerations, and thus requires varied approaches to counter each behavioral issue.

Don’t: Use Force Here is something that never works with anyone- force of any kind, shape, or practice! Using force is unquestionably the wrong approach and will make everything much, much, worse for everyone involved.

Do: Be Creative Here’s a better way: let’s say your child loves Rock and Roll. Instead of using this as a reward, in the beginning, use their love of Rock and Roll to motivate them to make the bed. For example, you can explain that their favorite

Rock and Roll star is a really neat person, who truly cares about making their own bed every morning. Be creative and talk to your child with expression, making your case immensely believable. Be creative. Most of us will do stuff to get stuff we want and also to make people we care about happy. Another angle would be to pretend that making the bed will make the bed happy! You could do this by making it seem as though the covers, sheets and the bed have feelings and that they need your help. They want to be with each other very closely. The bed is freezing and needs the covers and sheets to keep it warm. Alternatively, turn the task into a challenge or test. Make it as though it is an NBA game, each player tries their very best because they want to win. Use that analogy to make them believe that making the bed is a very hard thing to do. And then challenge them to accomplish that feat. Hopefully they will want to prove you wrong. I hope my suggestions can help someone with autism in your life by providing powerful and useful keys to unlock the doors and shackles that restrain them. The important thing is the tactic, the strategy, the plan and the communication you use. A wise person once said, “You get more flies with honey than with vinegar.” This may be especially true when you’re dealing with the challenges of parenting children with autism.

Thank You and Happy Parenting! [Visit www.AllAutismTalk.com to hear Sean interviewed on the podcast]

Sean has a passion for sharing his story and aspires to educate, inform, inspire, and most of all teach others with autism (including their friends and family) how to rise above the condition to be your best self! Find out more at his website: http://iknowautism.org/

IN TOUCH WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES™

THE

BLOG POST Autism 2015: 365 days to make progress Autism is in the news, social media, and even old fashioned print more than ever. The increasing awareness is great. The influx of research and funding options is even better! The heartwarming stories are nice, and the success stories are inspiring. Still, misinformation and slanted headlines annoyingly abound. Such is this strange, complicated, passionate and ultimately very special autism community. We’re glad to be a part of it, and will do our best to honor and respect the many contributing voices. As a community, we are making progress in many ways and continue to have optimism that together and individually, we can make great strides. But we have no doubt that the most important person to each and every parent, day-in and day-out is your child with autism.

IN TOUCH WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES™

So what will this year’s 365 days mean for you? We suggest this simple but powerful idea: Progress. When your past the notion that there may be a quick fix and come to terms that the pursuit of a cure won’t help you with today’s challenges, progress is the name of the game. Forget quantum leaps, each milestone met will offer its own reward. Know that there will be set backs and rough patches, and keep moving forward. BE PRESENT: There are lots of amazing therapists, doctors and teachers in the world. These are brilliant folks who have advice about child development and parenting. But you are the one who is with your child every day and for real progress to take place, you gotta be in the game. And don’t forget to take time to just BE with your child, to appreciate all the beautiful, unique ways he expresses himself and what he enjoys. BE CONSISTENT: What is the 12 step motto…”the more you work it, the more it works”? Working consistently with your child’s team to implement strategies and teach him…even when it is hard or inconvenient, propels the process. BE A FRIEND/SPOUSE/ PERSON: You can’t focus on autism 24 hours a day. You just can’t. Make time for yourself, your friends and your family. When you do, life just makes more sense, has more balance and you will likely have more stamina for the work ahead. BE GRATEFUL: Count those blessings, celebrate the wins and enjoy every single bit of progress. This is the real juice of life that makes it all worth it. No one else will feel the joy quite the way you will. It’s awesome. Of course we will keep reading the headlines as keeping up to date is valuable and the research is exciting. In 2015, we will continue to be moved, enlightened, and sometimes annoyed by it all. Stick to the plan that works for you and your family and know that come December 31, 2015, you will be able to look at another year passed and call it good.

SUPPORTING SIBLINGS

GET CONNECTED

TO AST

ALL AUTISM TALK AllAutismTalk.com Our podcast offers a friendly conversation with leaders in the autism community. Guests include experts and authors in the field of autism as well as inspiring advocates and community groups.

ALL AUTISM NEWS allautismnews.com

The strength, compassion, and advocacy that are demonstrated and developed in the loved ones of individuals with autism are truly remarkable.

Get plugged in to the latest news, research, legislation and technology affecting the autism community through the All Autism News bi-weekly newsletter.

AST BLOG autismtherapies.com/blog

It is not always easy being the sibling

Show Praise and Gratitude. Having a

of a child with autism. However, sibling

sibling with autism is challenging. Praise

relationships can be beneficial for

your children and reward them for helping

developing social skills. Children with

out. Their sibling will always require their

autism do best when they have a sibling

patience and contribution. Let them know you

who plays with them, helps them learn

are thankful for their efforts.

social skills, prompts them to use language, and is involved in aspects of their ABA program. Yet, a sibling’s motivation and cooperation is only sustainable if parents provide them with confidence, self-esteem, independence, and support on their own journey to build a strong personal identity.

Just as no two children with autism are the same, neither are the interests, priorities or needs of their family. AST’s blog page offers a variety of voices and perspectives including personal stories from parents.

Focus on the Sibling. Set aside some “alone time” for you and the sibling on a regular basis. This is time for them to be a kid, and for you to enjoy their company and interests. Make this time fun and special, and allow the child to express his or her unique personality. Siblings should experience their own childhoods and enjoy separate sleepovers,

Here are some tips to help support the

play dates, and extracurricular activities that

sibling of a child who has autism:

explore their individual talents and interests.

Talk about autism. Be open and honest

Communicate. Devote some regular quiet

in explaining autism and how it affects

time just for talking. Create an atmosphere

their brother or sister. Children will

where your children feel safe expressing

certainly have questions, which you should

their emotions. Let them know you hear

be prepared for and feel comfortable

them, and that you know it is hard having so

answering. Include them in discussions

much attention and effort go to their sibling.

about the child’s programs, classrooms,

Remind them of things that are special about

and special needs, and encourage their

them and ask if there are things you have

comments and suggestions.

neglected to acknowledge.

VIDEO LIBRARY autismtherapies.com/videos Our video page is full of great educational videos with insights and answers to support you and your family on a variety of topics. Our videos will provide you with quick tips to your pressing questions in fun and easy to watch 3 minute segment

 facebook.com/ autismtherapies  twitter.com/ autismtherapies  pinterest.com/ autismtherapies Visit us online at Autismtherapies.com

OUR MISSION We see a world where individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, dream and achieve their full potential. We believe in evidence-based practices with a familyfocused approach to ensure the best possible results. To make this happen, AST provides families with the information they need, the community they want and the quality services they deserve.

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Color modification R3 Logo, Version 1 Palette from Press Kit/R2v8 Added new Orange to Fuscia blend Darkened Purple to Blue blend

color palette

Round 3: v1 (from previous round)

AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES

R4 Logo, Version 1 Palette from Press Kit/R2v8 Modified Orange to Fuscia blend

AUTISM SPECTRUM THERAPIES

R4 Logo, Version 2 Palette from Press Kit/R2v8 Modified Orange to Fuscia blend Added transparency to the purple gradient circle

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