This week Steve and I took the Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) Training course that home therapists are required to take to work with kids with autism. It's offered to parents so that we can understand the programs and assist as needed, and also so we can better understand our kids and our interactions with them. It was all very interesting. It's VERY much based on the principles of operant conditioning. The trainers were great, and the other parents and home therapist that attended were fantastic. It actually was a lot of fun, which I hadn't expected. It also helped me to see that this home therapy will actually be fun for Jesse as well. It's meant to be.
I was really surprised too, at how the discussion we had seemed to tie some things together for me. Some things that Jesse does have always been a mystery to me. Like a year ago when he repetitively rolled himself off the couch to fall sideways on the floor. When he repetitively bangs his head, arm, leg, back again the wall or furniture. It's all a sensory issue! It's not seeing, hearing, smelling, touching or tasting. It's proprioception! It's one of the seven senses we have (there's also vestibular), and Jesse seems to just need more of that sensory input!
There were other times though, during the course, that I though how Jesse really doesn't fit the bill. I know there's a huge range of abilities and issues when it comes to an autism diagnosis, but in many ways Jesse is just so NORMAL! For example, they explained that imitation usually has to be taught. Imitation or mimicry is one of the major ways kids learn how to do things or how to act, and it's often (usually?) absent in kids on the spectrum. Well, Jesse mimics EVERYTHING! From chasing around the kids at active play and "falling" when they fall, so mimicking Steve's mannerisms and speech. And there were other things too....I can't recall them all at the moment due to sheer exhaustion, but it really made me doubt, at time, the diagnosis. I guess all we can do it wait and see. His ADOS will be repeated at age 3 and he may or may not come away from it with the diagnosis again.
***edited May 1, 2010 to add:
The title of this post will tell you how far removed I am from my B.Sc. in Behavioural Neuroscience. I'm only now realizing it should be "Just call me Skinner".
I hate to be a weirdo and comment on every post so I will post once on all three. :)
ReplyDeleteFirst off I LOVE that picture. it is soo sweet.
Thanks for sharing the info on toe walking. It is good to have some possible tips to start handling that. We are seeing it more and more here.
Sounds like ABA training went well. While awaiting our evaluation I am always interested in what you are learning and experiencing with Jesse.
I know I often say it but I really am glad you share it all. It is sooo helpful.