DAY SIX
What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world?
The following is from Luker, S. (2024); Unit 7 – 1 OTHER THERAPIES; Section 1: ABA, CBT, DIR, OT, PECS
INTRODUCTION to ‘OTHER’ THERAPIES; ABA, CBT, DIR/Floortime, OT, PECS
Therapies are often used in conjunction with other programs. Parents often engage in the first available program, depending on their level of need. They may also neglect to inform or consult the child’s primary physician that this is taking place. Consequently, there can be confusing ‘outcomes’ as the following anecdotal family stories reveal. Separating ‘programs’, one from another, becomes difficult, because they are often intricately intertwined.
While a ‘therapy’ could mean a ‘one-on-one’ session with a licensed therapist. This person would have been recommended to evaluate and prescribe sessions which are individualized specifically for that person with autism, and to address their symptoms. Or, there may be a trained technician doing the preliminary intake and providing basic work with the child, with the therapist assigned later.
Therapies may be tested, vetted, and proven to be helpful to improving the person’s condition. A ‘cure’ is not the expected outcome of therapeutic sessions, but an intervention and/or method to improve their quality of life.’
< My Thoughts > “…trained technician…”
A ‘trained’ therapy technician may mean different things to different people. ‘Trained’ may mean ‘trained’ in their programs protocol. But, may or may NOT mean ‘qualified’ or ‘certified’ in their represented field where the ‘program’ is concerned. Never assume that because the person is employed by a program, that they are qualified to work with your child. Trust but verify.
What is the most concerning or destructive thing that is going on right now in your child’s world?
The following is from Luker, S. (2024); Unit 7 – 1 OTHER THERAPIES; Section 1: ABA, CBT, DIR, OT, PECS
INTRODUCTION to ‘OTHER’ THERAPIES; ABA, CBT, DIR/Floortime, OT, PECS
Therapies are often used in conjunction with other programs. Parents often engage in the first available program, depending on their level of need. They may also neglect to inform or consult the child’s primary physician that this is taking place. Consequently, there can be confusing ‘outcomes’ as the following anecdotal family stories reveal. Separating ‘programs’, one from another, becomes difficult, because they are often intricately intertwined.
While a ‘therapy’ could mean a ‘one-on-one’ session with a licensed therapist. This person would have been recommended to evaluate and prescribe sessions which are individualized specifically for that person with autism, and to address their symptoms. Or, there may be a trained technician doing the preliminary intake and providing basic work with the child, with the therapist assigned later.
Therapies may be tested, vetted, and proven to be helpful to improving the person’s condition. A ‘cure’ is not the expected outcome of therapeutic sessions, but an intervention and/or method to improve their quality of life.’
< My Thoughts > “…trained technician…”
A ‘trained’ therapy technician may mean different things to different people. ‘Trained’ may mean ‘trained’ in their programs protocol. But, may or may NOT mean ‘qualified’ or ‘certified’ in their represented field where the ‘program’ is concerned. Never assume that because the person is employed by a program, that they are qualified to work with your child. Trust but verify.
Kose, et al. (2018) believe studies show that parental involvement, personalized treatment metaphors, self-monitoring, and positive reinforcement is necessary. CBT therapy makes use of visuals, clear language for instructions; modification with visual aids, cues, and considerable parent involvement.
< My Thoughts > “…considerable parent involvement.”
One cannot simply hand their child over to a therapist and come back expecting that the child has been ‘changed’ or ‘fixed’. There are no Best Practices studies for most of these programs. They continue to be chosen by schools and insurance companies, for many reasons. Often, early on, the reason was that it was the only program available for providers to refer parents to. An unpopular thought, but a reality is that ‘autism’ is a business. Again, trust but verify.
All of these provide successful opportunities to have an effective program. The first line of treatment for the most known autism comorbid disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors (OCB), is usually Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT therapy). OCB is characterized by repeated intrusive thoughts and distressing compulsive acts. This study also discusses the treatment needs of individuals, especially for adults and aging ASD populations; with other varying clinical presentations.
< My Thoughts > “…effective program…”
Know that autism is often ‘many desirable/undesirable behaviors happening at once. As a result, there may be more than one ‘therapy/intervention/program/medication recommended at a time. It is good to have a ‘medication manager’ to follow all programs, not only to provide follow-up, but to determine if they interfere or conflict with one another.
Sicile-Kira, 2004) suggests that children with Autism communicate in one of the few ways available to them – through temper tantrums, hyperactivity and/or aggressive behaviors towards self and others. Through behavior modification plans and programs, parents and teachers strive to control the chaos in their lives.
For behavior intervention to be successful in older children, the treatment must be a collaborative effort between the family, home, teachers, therapists, and school personnel. Also, parents may have difficulty buying into any sort of behavior management.
Also, just meeting a new person, therapist, teacher, etc., may exaggerate a child’s natural temperament; good or not so good. If your child doesn’t warm up to strangers, try allowing a meeting in a more comfortable setting. For instance, in a place they like to go. By recognizing and respecting individual temperaments, you can avoid unnecessary conflict and unwanted behaviors. It helps to play detective.
< My Thoughts > “…a place they like to go.”
A place our Sonny likes to go is Mc Donald’s. Meeting someone new, like interviewing a caregiver or even a therapist can be complicated. Meetings are more successfully attempted for us at Mickey D’s. The interviewing process goes more smoothly while munching on fries and washing it down with a favorite soda or shake. That’s a ‘win-win’ situation for Sonny. Then, when he sees that ‘person’ again, at least the meeting is off to a pretty good start, due to his first connection with that person in his preferred place.
Spinning In Circles & Learning from Myself: A Collection of Stories that Slowly Grow Up by Tsara Shelton (2006); eBook Extended Review and LINK on my website (Find on MENU).
Here are some relevant excerpts –
Shelton, T. (2006), 86% I grew up the oldest of eight children. My mom adopted six wild and wonderful, abused and challenged kids. My four adopted brothers had labels that ranged from autistic to angry.
I rolled my eyes when my mom would insist that the boys were able to feel the same feelings as me but that their challenges meant the feelings would show up in different places and would probably looked different.
< My Thoughts > “….feelings would show up in different places.”
Many autistic children (‘high-functioning’ and/or ‘low-functioning’) ‘live in the moment’. A concept of the ‘future’, or even ‘later’, does not exist. “I want it and I want it now,” prevails. S/he may not even remember that they ‘communicated’ their feelings by reflexively hitting or cussing at you. After such an incident, our Sonny would often look at us with an expression the said, “What just happened?”
In the study described by Shalom, et al. (2006), the participants with autism who could express themselves about feelings stated the following – “They mostly only had ‘conscious’ feelings about things which were ‘pleasant’ versus ‘unpleasant’ or, ‘interesting’ versus ‘boring’.
Shelton, T. (2006) continues, 86% What I say was one brother rocking, stimming, growling and hitting himself, another staring blankly in whatever direction he was facing, forever needing to pull up his socks, another threatening to beat up whoever was nearest, avoiding eye contact like the plague, and the little one repeating whatever you said while climbing the walls and putting his lips on heaters.
Even the professionals in our world kept trying to tell my mom to stop getting her hopes up with these kids…
< My Thoughts > “…stop getting her hopes up…”
Some of the best advice, states that parents should remain hopeful, educate themselves in order to become empowered, and to find professionals who are willing to ‘partner’ with them in the planning and interventions ahead. While most parents tend to seek out others who have had successes, vigilantly researching those programs should not be ignored.
Note: I will be posting excerpts from Tsara's mom's book, Miracles Are Made, by Lynette Louise. But first I wanted Tsara to have her own time in the spotlight.
References:
Kose, L., Fox, L., et al. (2018). Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Comorbid Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders: A Review of the Research; Journal of Physical Disability; V30, p69-87.
Luker, S. (2024); Know Autism, Know Your Child with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker; Retrieved online from – www.sarasautismsite.com
Shelton, T. (2015). Spinning In Circles & Learning from Myself: A Collection of Stories that Slowly Grow Up; eBook (Extended Review & LINK on www.sarasautismsite.com).
Shalom, B., Mostofsky, et al. (2006). Normal Physiological Emotions but Differences in Expression of Conscious Feelings in Children with High-Functioning Autism. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders; Vol. 36:3, p395-400.
Sicile-Kira, C. (2014). Autism Spectrum Disorder (revised): The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism; Penguin Random House Company; New York, N. Y.
End of DAY SIX. Note: Excerpts from the book – (13% indicates location in the Kindle version of the eBook, instead of page numbers).
Sharing of my website and BLOG Comments welcomed.
Regards,
Sara Luker
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