IBI for Parents a huge success

The Geneva Centre pesentation of IBI for Parents on May 12 at the Family Space Resource Centre in Belleville was, I daresay, a huge success. About 40 participants, consisting of parents, professionals and caregivers supporting children on the autism spectrum turned out for the whole-day program. It covered skills and strategies to try with our children on the spectrum on a daily basis. The following are few of the key messages from the presentation:
1.The cycle of ABC - A for a trigger that invokes the behaviour, B for behaviour that results and C for consequence or the reaction that follows the behaviour. The C is the key, we're told. Reward desired behaviour immediately with a reinforcement - a specially favourite toy, favourite food item or anything that increases that desired behaviour including clapping, hi-fives etc. In short, when the desired behaviour happens, have a parade. However, the reinforcement needs to happen, she cautioned, within 10 seconds or less to be effective. Keep reinforcers like special toys out of reach to encourage the child to work for it. As well, initially reinforce every single time and then fade as skills develop.
2. Time outs don't work because it feeds directly into a desired escape need of the child. It is a very abstract concept for a child on the spectrum. Instead, she said, give clear and short instructions on expectations, fully prompt the child into following through and move on to somthing else.
3. Timers can cause intense anxiety.
4. For teaching language, labelling each action, object and talk about its aspects. For example, if the subject is a car, then talk about various features of a car etc.If child makes an error, re-present the instruction and immediately prompt him to success.
5. Working one-on-one with a child on the spectrum needs to happen in an inviting, clutter-free environment with work materials ready and organized. Preferred furniture being kid-sized table and chairs (suggestion offered was : a favourite pajama, picture on the chair where the child will be seated.
So, it was all of the above and much more. The workshop certainly gave me food for thought and a set of skills to try with my child. The participants response at the end of the day was so positive that there is already a plan to try and get another such event happen again in th fall. Something to think about for all of us. It certainly was cheaper than going all the way to Toronto to participate in a similar workshop.