Tag Archives: The A-Word

The A-Word, Part 53: Response Cost & The Library

By admin | Published: May 21, 2013
Riley

In this episode, Jack Riley is working on having a calm body instead of a silly body.

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The A-Word, Part 52: Socio Dramatic Play & Outings

By Cheryl and Mike | Published: April 12, 2013
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Play has always had an important role in teaching Jack Riley. They have used play to teach him how to use items functionally – like when they use pretend food and place it on a plate. Jack Riley has now graduated to doing socio-dramatic play with his therapists where they take on different roles. They have been playing ‘restaurant’ for the last two months, where Jack Riley pretends to be the waiter, costumer, or the chef. Now that he has played out these roles, Jessica and Mike are taking him to an actual restaurant to see how he behaves in public.

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The A-Word, Part 50: Play & Social Skills

By Cheryl and Mike | Published: February 22, 2013
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Jack Riley is working a lot on social skills now that he is in school, and because Lainey is now big enough to walk over and play with his toys. His therapists are having Jack Riley play with his sister during their sessions so he can practice how to appropriately play with her. Simultaneously, Jack Riley’s therapists are also making it a point to go on outings in the community so he and his parents can get more comfortable with what to expect while they are out.

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The A-Word, Part 48: Happy Points, Social Story, and Problem Behaviors

By Cheryl and Mike | Published: January 24, 2013
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Jack Riley has been having a hard time being nice to his little sister Lainey. In reaction to that, his parents are trying out some positive reinforcement to get him to behave nicer. They started a system called ‘happy points’ where every time Jack Riley is nice to his sister, they give him a ‘happy point’, and once he gets enough happy points he is able to get a fun prize. Simultaneously, with his therapist Jessica, they work on writing a social story about ways in which he should interact with his sister. Hopefully, with enough reminders he will be nice to his little sister all the time.

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The A-Word, Part 45: Statement Statement And Sequences

By Cheryl and Mike | Published: November 29, 2012
Riley

A lot of Jack Riley’s program are is about getting him to socialize with his peers. Jessica is working on a program with him called “statement-statement” which has him practicing making a statement after he hears someone else make one. For example Cheryl says, ” I am laying on the floor.” Jack Riley then responds, “I am playing.”

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The A-Word Autism, Part 44: Constructive Play And Functional Pretend Play

By Cheryl and Mike | Published: November 9, 2012

Playing is learning. With constructive play, a child learns how to imitate others, and to use their imagination to generate structures. With functional pretend play, the child is givenan opportunity to practice using items appropriately and to work on his conversation skills by having him narrate his actions.

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The A-Word, Autism Part 43: Preschool And IEP Meeting

By Cheryl and Mike | Published: October 25, 2012

Jack Riley began preschool this year which has been a challenging adjustment for the family. On top of the stress of starting school, the family had an IEP meeting. Typically an IEP meeting happens annually after the child’s birthday, but this year they are having two meetings.

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The A-Word Autism, Part 41: Cheryl & Mike Neet Nick Who Recovered From Autism

By Cheryl and Mike | Published: September 14, 2012

Cheryl and Mike sit down and talk with Nick, who recovered from autism in 2001 at the age of four. They discuss what he remembers from being in therapy, and what school was like for him. Nick is candid about his experience with bullying, and gives Mom and Dad some insight on what it’s like growing up with autism.

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The A-Word, Autism Part 39: Feeding Issues

By Cheryl and Mike | Published: August 20, 2012

It’s been over a year since Jack Riley was diagnosed with autism and ten months since he began ABA therapy. Cheryl and Mike discuss how feeding used to be a nightmare and how this has radically changed for the better. Jack Riley used to not feed himself and his diet was limited to apple sauce, yogurt and bananas. His diet has since expanded greatly and he is now more willing to try new foods.

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The A-Word, Autism Part 38: Potty Training

By Cheryl and Mike | Published: August 6, 2012

The big day is finally here — potty training. With the aid of Jack Riley’s parents, therapists, reinforcers, and pottylog, success is bound to happen. Watch how the principles of ABA can be applied to teach potty training.

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