Tag Archives: autism education

The Countdown to “ABA Tools of the Trade” Begins

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We’re incredibly excited to let you know about a new collaboration between Sam Blanco, MSEd, BCBA and Val Demiri, PhD that will focus on data collection and effective behavior change in the classroom while utilizing the most effective tools in ABA. Different Roads to Learning is proud to have this excellent resource scheduled for publication in early 2016. The partnership between these two powerhouses is sure to make ABA Tools of the Trade: A Resource for Data Collection and Effective Behavior Change a must-have for your library.

The book bridges the gap between applied research and real-world settings, including the classroom, home, and community environments. It provides information about efficient tools available for effective data collection and meaningful behavior change. Beyond exploring a wide range of tools available for your use, it offers a comprehensive analysis of the decision-making process for increasing desirable behaviors, decreasing maladaptive behaviors, and examining your own behavior.

We’ll be sharing a tip from Sam and Val’s excellent Facebook page – ABA Tools of the Trade – with you every week so be sure to stay tuned.

Pick of the Week: Occupational Octaves Piano Curriculum for Students with Special Needs

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Occupational Octaves Piano is the first of its kind curriculum written in the special-needs-user-friendly language of music. Named Lee Stockner’s Music Box Method, this unique piano program has been enriching the lives of students with Autism through music since 2009. This week only, we’re offering 15%* off any or all 3 of the Occupational Octaves Piano Books within the curriculum. Just use our promo code OCTAVES at check-out!

The original language of music can be a confusing symbolic language that should perfectly instruct a student as to which notes, fingers and beats to play. Occupational Octaves Piano students read the same instructions, not through the traditional presentation of confusing musical symbols, but through colored letters in rhythmically designed boxes. This means that students on the autism spectrum, including those with severe disabilities, can play the same songs as a traditional player with the same notes, fingers and beats as a mainstream student would. Each curriculum music book comes with a set of rings that are placed on the player’s fingers to help them match their hands to the notes they’re seeing.

Hundreds of students with autism have successfully learned to play the piano using this method. Give your students the gift of music with the Occupational Octaves Piano curriculum series. This program is a revolutionary approach that develops cognitive, physical and emotional gains to a wide variety of soon-to-be musicians!

Don’t forget to take 15% off* your order of any or all 3 of the Occupational Octaves Piano Books this week only by using promo code OCTAVES at check-out!

*Offer is valid until 11:59pm EST on August 18th, 2015. Not compatible with any other offers. Be sure there are no spaces or dashes in your code at checkout!

Pick of the Week: Crazy Cereal Game

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Race to scoop up cereal as the blinking, color-changing spoons flash! Players scoop up cereal pieces of the color displayed, one by one. This exciting game will help players improve their fine motor and matching skills. And this week only, you can save 15%* on your order of the Crazy Cereal Game. Just mention or enter promo code CEREAL when you check out over the phone or online!

 

To play the game, each player must scoop up cereal pieces of the color displayed, one by one. But watch out – if the game goes into Crazy Mode and the spoon flashes many colors at once, players will have to scoop up 2 pieces of any color! The player with the most cereal pieces wins. Includes 2 electronic spoons, 1 shared bowl, 2 player bowls, 45 cereal pieces, and 1 Guide. Runs on 2 AAA batteries (not included).

Don’t forget to apply our promo code CEREAL at check-out to take 15%* off your order of the Crazy Cereal Game this week!

*Offer is valid until 11:59pm EST on August 11th, 2015. Not compatible with any other offers. Be sure there are no spaces or dashes in your code at checkout!

Pick of the Week: Who, What, When, Where, Why Wh- Question ColorCards

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Who works here? Why might they be laughing? When do you eat at the table? Use this set of 36 Wh- Question ColorCards and unlock opportunities to discover, understand, and practice Wh-questions. This week only, take 15%* off your set of the Wh- Question ColorCards; just use promo code WHCARDS at check-out!

The ColorCards feature vivid photos of scenarios that allow for multiple opportunities to develop this key skill. These cards can be used in group or one-to-one settings, and come with a booklet with sample Wh- questions to ask for each of the images depicted.

Don’t forget – you can save 15%* on your set of Wh- Question ColorCards this week only by using our promo code WHCARDS at check-out!

*Offer is valid until 11:59pm EST on August 4th, 2015. Not compatible with any other offers. Be sure there are no spaces or dashes in your code at checkout!

“Touch Red” – A Poem by Georgie Herz, ABA Teacher

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Here’s a touching – pun intended! – poem given to us by Georgie Herz, an ABA teacher from Special School District in St. Louis, MO, that we thought we’d share with all of you so you can start off your weekend with a smile.

Touch Red
Georgie Herz

Touch red
One card, one choice
Touch red

This is touching red
A prize, cheerios, candy, a car
This is touching red
I’ll guide your hand it’s not far
Touch red

Three times, I’m keeping score
Now with two
Touch red, I pray not blue
This is touching red

Add yellow, three cards, three times
Touch red you score
Pick a prize
Yes there’s more
Touch red

A week or two or three or four
We check again, yea you score
Touch red, there’s more

Cards are gone
See the bears
We start with one
Then it’s two
A prize for each one
You do

Touch red.

 

Tip of the Week: Use a Time-Out Ribbon

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Time-out can be an effective procedure for addressing behaviors that do not function for escape. However, often it can be difficult to implement, and in some schools is not even allowed. There are valid concerns related to time-out. For example, you may not have the opportunity to supervise a child in a separate location for time-out, or you might want to keep them in the same place so they don’t miss a lesson during class.

The time-out ribbon may be an excellent solution for just those types of instances. When Foxx and Shapiro (1978) first wrote about the time-out ribbon, they referred to it as “nonexclusionary time-out,” meaning the individual does not have to be excluded from an environment or activity to be “in time-out.” In their initial study, all students wore a ribbon on their wrist. When the individual has the time-out ribbon on, they have access to socially-mediated reinforcement. If the time-out ribbon is removed, they do not have access to that reinforcement. (Foxx & Shapiro also note that it does not have to be a ribbon, but could be anything that is easy to wear and easy to remove.) However, by again demonstrating appropriate behavior, the ribbon can be placed again on the individual’s wrist.

In a time where we often focus on new, high tech solutions, such as the use of iPads or SmartBoards to introduce behavior change procedures, it’s important to draw attention to low-tech solutions that are easy to implement. Another aspect of the time-out ribbon that is attractive for our particular population is that it provides a clear visual indication that reinforcement is available.

A possible drawback is that, in a classroom setting, if the ribbon is removed, the student could continue to engage in disruptive behavior. Foxx and Shapiro emphasize the need to pair the ribbon with social reinforcement when first introducing it to the individual. This increases the likelihood that the individual will correct their behavior to earn the ribbon back.

Foxx & Shapiro demonstrated the effectiveness of the time-out ribbon with five boys with developmental disabilities. Since then, two more studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the procedure. We know that time-out can be highly effective from a wealth of research over recent decades, but if it’s not available, you should definitely consider the possible use of the time-out ribbon.

Further Reading

Alberto, P.A., Heflin, L.J., & Andrews, D. (2002). Use of the timeout ribbon procedure during community-based instruction. Behavior Modification, 26(2), 297-311.

Foxx, R.M. & Shapiro, S.T. (1978). The timeout ribbon: A nonexclusionary timeout procedure. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 11(1), 125-136.

Laraway, S., Snycerski, S., Michael, J. & Poling, A. (2001). The abative effect: A new term to describe the action of antecedents that reduce operant responding. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 18, 101-104.

WRITTEN BY SAM BLANCO, MSED, BCBA

Sam is an ABA provider for students ages 3-12 in NYC. Working in education for ten years with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental delays, Sam has developed strategies for achieving a multitude of academic, behavior, and social goals. Sam is currently pursuing her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis at Endicott College.

Pick of the Week: NEW! Function Wheels – A Behavioral Identification and Intervention System

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We’re absolutely thrilled to introduce Function Wheels, an easy-to-use system that enables users to identify the function of behavior and immediately intervene. Created and piloted by Keith Amerson, MSEd, Different Roads to Learning is a proud partner in bringing you the first all-inclusive, systematic approach for identifying the functions of problem behaviors and implementing research-based interventions to manage them.

Get your kit today at the introductory price of $149.95 through July 31st! No promo code necessary.

Click to enlarge.

Be sure to check out this nifty video below for a more in-depth look at the Function Wheels Kit!

Pick of the Week: Sequencing Verb Tenses Card Deck

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Help students identify and use the past, present, and future tenses of 48 action verbs with the Sequencing Verb Tenses card deck. And this week only, you can save 15%* on this set by using promo code SEQVERB at check-out!

This set contains 24 regular and 24 irregular three-step, illustrated sequences. Choose an action verb to teach, and then have students put the cards in order while filling in the blanks with the correct verb tenses. For example: She will paint the fence. She paints the fence. She painted the fence.

Each of the 144 cards measures 3¼” x 4¼” and comes with game ideas. Don’t forget – you can save 15%* this week on the Sequencing Verb Tenses card deck by using promo code SEQVERB at check-out!

*Offer is valid until 11:59pm EST on July 21st, 2015. Not compatible with any other offers. Be sure there are no spaces or dashes in your code at checkout!

Autism Parenting Magazine – News, resources, and expert advice for autism parents

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Check out the newest issue of Autism Parenting Magazine! With up-to-date news and professional resources for parents of children with autism, this magazine offers expert advice from medical professionals and therapists among others, autism treatment centers and therapies, news and research in the field, and even real life stories from parents and families that inspire and provide support.

 

For more information about the Autism Parenting Magazine, visit their website here.

Application Open for Autism Speaks Local Grants

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Photo by Autism Speaks

The Autism Speaks Local Grants application is now open. Through the Chapter, Regional and Neighborhood Grant programs, local organizations may apply for funding of up to $5,000. The Chapter, Regional and Neighborhood Grants programs focus on three objectives:

  1. “to promote local services that enhance the lives of those affected by autism
  2. “to expand the capacity to effectively serve this growing community
  3. “to increase the field of service providers across the country” (Autism Speaks)

The program notes that careful consideration will be given to those who specially provide services to underserved communities, as well as those who provide opportunities for individuals of varying functioning levels.

For more information about the application process, interested organizations may visit their FAQ page. Click here to apply!