Tag Archives: behavior management

Remembering Dr. Nathan Azrin, Psychologist Who Developed the Token Economy

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Perusing the New York Times this morning, I ran across an obituary for Dr. Nathan Azrin.  The name rang a bell but it wasn’t until I read the article that I realized that he had taken B.F. Skinner’s work and made theory into practice.  He created the “first token economy” and was able to change and shape behaviors for many different types of patients. 

 I wonder if Dr. Azrin had any idea of the hundreds and thousands of children he supported and helped through the years.  It’s boggles my mind to think of all of those token boards, penny boards and reward boards we’ll all created and used.

As we quoted in our most recent catalog, according to Matson & Boisjoli (2009): “One of the most important technologies of behavior modifiers and applied behavior analysts over the last 40 years has been the token economy.”

While we’re working with our kids today, let’s take a moment and thank Dr. Azrin for making a difference in the lives of those on the spectrum.  Here’s the whole article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/health/nathan-azrin-behavioral-psychologist-dies-at-82.html?ref=obituaries

 

Pick of the Week: New Time Timers – On Sale!

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New products from Time Timer AND a sale? What words go together better than that? We’re thrilled to introduce you to three new excellent products that raise the bar on that workhorse of a visual timer we’ve all come to love and depend on.

The brand new Time Timer PLUS comes with a portable handle, volume control for an optional alert when time is up, and a protective clear lens to protect the signature red disk. The Time Timer PLUS operates silently with no ticking and measures 7″ x 9″. The Time Timer PLUS contains all of the features you love and trust about the original timers with a fancy new makeover for only $36.95.

Another new and highly anticipated member of the Time Timer Family has arrived – The Time Timer Watch Plus for youth. In two lovely colors – light grey with white lettering or dark grey with orange – the Time Timer Watch PLUS allows you to watch your time and see it too. The watch has a sporty design and uses simple icons and a large display to ensure ease of use for all age and ability levels. Ideal for anyone who wants a discrete and portable visual timer, the Watch PLUS is customizable: there are two Time Timer modes (Original 60 minutes and Customized), vibrating and/or audible alerts and repeatable time segments for interval training. There is also a 12- or 24-hour clock with one alarm. The soft, silicon watch band measures from 4.75″ to 7″ making it perfect for children or adults with small wrists.

This week only, save 15% on the new Time Timer PLUS and the Time Timer Watch PLUS by entering the Promo Code BLOGTTN7 at checkout. Hurry! Offers like this don’t last too long.

*Offer expires on March 19, 2013 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.

A Grandparent Guide for Happy Holidays

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This post was written by our old friend Dr. Erica R. Holding for the Grandparent Autism Network. Dr. Holding has a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral level and founder of Avita Nova, which provides early diagnosis and ABA therapy for children and parent training and support. This article is based on her many years of working with families affected by autism.

When you have a grandchild with autism, the holiday season can present some extra challenges for your family. With careful planning your family can make the holiday season warm and happy for everyone.

If you don’t get to see your grandchild regularly, it is important to remember to have realistic expectations for your time together. Before the visit, call your son or daughter to ask if there is anything to do or have on hand to make the visit more enjoyable for your grandchild. You can have favorite toys, food and videos ready and plan to go to places that they like to visit.

Grandparents often express fear and anxiety about how to interact with their grandchildren.  You may feel rejected because you expect welcoming big hugs and kisses and may feel frustrated and unloved if that does not happen. Your grandchild may have sensory issues that make it overwhelming and even painful for them to be touched or hugged. They may not have the skills yet to know what to do or how to respond or they may just be learning these skills, but shut down around new people or in new situations. The most important thing is to not take this personally. They are not rejecting you. A high five or brief gaze may be all that they are currently capable of doing.

If you are planning a party or other special event, ask your son or daughter if they feel your grandchild will be comfortable being present. You may want to change your plan to be more inclusive and focus on creating new holiday traditions together.

Keep demands for social politeness at a low level.  Even if your grandchild has learned new social skills like greeting people by saying hello or shaking hands, don’t anticipate that will happen when there is a lot of stimuli like lights, music and new people in new settings.

Pace yourself and be flexible.  If you have 3 events planned for a day, but there is a midday meltdown after event # 1, maybe it’s best to skip the others. It is better to have one great time together that you can all remember fondly than to watch the rest of the day deteriorate into tantrums or other behavior problems. New situations, new people, and new schedules can be overwhelming for a child with autism. Your grandchild is not being willfully defiant or difficult, and your son or daughter does not have poor parenting skills. Too much input and too many changes can be very hard for children with autism to process. Let your son or daughter know that you understand this may be what is responsible for meltdowns and negative behavior.

Create outlets or escape routes.  Prepare a place in your home that is quieter and provides a comfortable spot where you grandchild can “take a break” from all of the excitement.  Having a place to go for some respite time may prevent you from having to leave or end an event. Just taking a break may be all that your grandchild needs to get on to the next event.

Manage sensory input.  The holiday season is filled with new experiences. Manage these to the best of your ability. If you are taking a trip to the mall, try to go at times when the mall is less busy, or make the trip shorter. The holidays might not be the best time to try new foods. Try to have something your grandchild likes at every meal.

Control Schedules.  Routines and knowing what is happening next is often very important to individuals on the spectrum. Holiday schedules deviate completely from our daily normal routines and this can be especially difficult for a child with autism.  Ask your son or daughter how best to handle daily schedules. Some children with autism can be included in the schedule making and this is very empowering for them. Other children may be more able to understand when given a visual schedule. Find out what works best and if an unexpected change is just about to happen, find out how best to communicate that change.

Be sure to compliment your grandchild and your son or daughter about the new abilities and progress your grandchild has achieved.  Grandparents can be supportive good listeners who consistently give their families loving reinforcement at the holidays – and throughout the year.

Pick of the Week: NEW On-Task On-Time Timer

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Help your child gain independence with the brand new On-Task On-Time scheduler and timer. This is a unique time management system that organizes three important routines of the day during the Morning (getting ready for school), Afternoon (school to home transition), and Night (getting ready for bed). Just apply one of the 52 task stickers on the routine disk, insert the disk to the unit and the individualized schedule for your child is complete. Turn stressful transition times into structured, self-esteem building experiences. Each unit includes the timer, 3 routine disks, a set of boy and girl stickers, two markers, and a wall hanger.

This week only, save 15% on this great new scheduling tool – the On-Time On-Task Timer – by entering the Promo Code BLOGONTOT at checkout.

*Offer expires on October 10, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.

Pick of the Week: Timers & Counters

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Timers help manage all sorts of transitions, schedules and behaviors. The sky is the limit when it comes to how creative you can be with a simple timer. With Back to School creeping up on the horizon, it may be time again to start thinking about schedules and time management. This week only, you can save 15% on our entire category of timers, hand tally counters, and clocks to help ease you back into the biggest transition: back to school time.

To redeem your savings on any product in our Timers, Counters & Clocks category, simply enter the Promo Code BLOGTCT12 at checkout.

*Offer expires on August 7, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.

Pick of the Week: MotivAider

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It’s the best tool available for people of all ages to stay focused and change behavior and habits quickly, easily and privately. The MotivAider is one of our bestsellers for behavior modification of all sorts. The MotivAider is a simple electronic device that vibrates at timed intervals to provide an individual with a private prompt to engage in a specific behavior. You can program it to vibrate on a variable or fixed schedule at different durations and intensity. There’s a wonderful article and review on the uses of the MotivAider by our friend Jenn over at Toys are Tools that explores how some students and teachers are using the MotivAider in their classrooms.

This week only, you can save 15% on the MotivAider by entering the Promo Code BLOGMTVT at checkout. If you’ve always wondered just what the MotivAider can accomplish, here’s your chance to try it at a great discount.

 


*Offer expires on July 17, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.

 

Introducing the Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS) from James Partington and Michael Mueller!

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We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of the Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS), a brand new assessment to complement the ABLLS-R, from James Partington, PhD, BCBA and Michael Mueller, PhD, BCBA. This brand new tool assesses Basic Living, Home, and Community Participation skills in individuals with autism, across all ages. This week only, we’re offering this brand new product as our pick of the week. You can save 15% on the AFLS by entering the Promo Code BLOGAFS3 at checkout.

The Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS) is an assessment, skills tracking system, and curriculum guide for the development of essential skills for achieving independence. It can be used to demonstrate a learner’s current functional skill repertoire and provide tracking information for the progressive development of these skills throughout the lifespan.  The AFLS contains task analyses of many of the skills essential for participation in a wide range of family, community, and work environments and can be used simultaneously with the ABLLS®-R.  There are currently three Protocols , and they address these different areas: Basic Living Skills, Home Skills, and Community Participation Skills.

The complete AFLS covers more than 735 daily living skills in 24 skill areas to comprehensively assess an individual’s functional, practical, and essential skills in everyday life, in their home, school, and community. The skills addressed are all based upon overarching goals for maximizing freedom, independence, and opportunities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Each assessment module contains eight different skills areas that thoroughly assess functional skills across a wide range of settings throughout a learner’s lifespan.  Every module of the AFLS is designed to ensure that parents, caregivers, and professionals provide learners with the very best opportunities to learn how to do tasks for themselves in a broad array of real-world settings.

Based on the methodology of applied behavior analysis, the AFLS is a unique tool for assessing basic, home, and community participation skills of individuals with autism of all ages, including adolescents and adults. The AFLS is designed to be an easy- to- use assessment tool for parents, educators, professional staff, and other caregivers. These assessment protocols will help educators, parents and professionals develop enhanced person-centered programming and transition plans, providing critical roadmaps for parents concerned about where their children will go as they grow, and their ability to live active, meaningful lives.

The AFLS is available as a complete assessment, containing the Guide & Scoring Instructions, along with the Basic Living Skills, Home Skills, and Community Participation Skills Protocols: AFLS: Assessment of Functional Living Skills Complete Bundle.

You may also purchase the Individual Protocols along with the Guide:

AFLS Guide & Basic Living Skills Assessment Protocol 
The Basic Living Skills Module addresses self-help, self-care, self-management, hygiene, routines, and core communication skills.  These skills should be thought of as a prerequisite for any functional skills program for learners regardless of age, setting, or disability.  These essential skills, if not mastered, will have a profound impact on a learner’s ability to live independently, to be successful in school, and to take advantage of various social and recreational activities throughout the learner’s life. The Basic Living Skills Module includes:
•Self-Management
•Basic Communication
•Dressing
•Toileting
•Grooming
•Bathing
•Health, Safety and First Aid
•Nighttime Routines

AFLS Guide & Home Skills Assessment Protocol              
If the learner is living with parents, in a supported facility, a group home, or independently, the Home Skills Assessment Protocol provides an essential review of skills required for home living. Basic and advanced skills for preparing and eating meals, cleaning, dressing, doing laundry, leisure skills, and daily activities are assessed.  The Home Skills Module includes:
•Meals at Home
•Dishes
•Clothing and Laundry
•Housekeeping and Chores
•Household Mechanics
•Leisure
•Kitchen
•Cooking

AFLS Guide & Community Participation Skills Protocol      
Community participation begins most basically with learning to physically navigate safely around sidewalks, streets, and signs. A wide variety of skills are also required for one to independently shop in grocery and department stores, shop at the mall, and eat at a fast food or sit-down restaurants . In addition to the above mentioned skills, telling time and using time-related concepts, making and keeping appointments, using a phone, and other skills that help people stay connected and interact with others in the community, are also assessed in this module. The Community Participation Skills Module includes:
•Basic Mobility
•Community Knowledge
•Shopping
•Meals in Public
•Money
•Phone
•Time
•Social Awareness and Manners

Remember, this week only, you can save 15% on the AFLS by entering the Promo Code BLOGAFS3 at checkout. Be among the first to get what is sure to become an invaluable resource today!

*Offer expires on July 3, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.

 

 

Pick of the Week: Clear Schedule with Token Strip

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This new Clear Schedule with Token Strip is ingenious! It combines the value of  a schedule board with a token economy system. You can keep learners on task with either images or actual objects as they move along their picture or written schedule. The clear pockets and Velcro strips can be used on both sides so planning and transitions are easy.

This week only, save 15% on the Clear Schedule with Token Strip by entering the Promo Code BLOGCST2 at checkout.

*Offer expires on May 15, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.

 

Introducing A Work In Progress Companion Series – A New Series of Booklets & DVDs from Autism Partnership

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We are thrilled to announce the arrival of A Work In Progress Companion Series by Autism Partnership. The Companion Series consists of five booklets and DVDs that synthesize solid information on various teaching strategies with demonstrations of actual sessions with students on DVD. The goal at Autism Partnership is to blend a natural, child-friendly approach to teaching while remaining determinedly systematic. This series offers viewers the unique opportunity to see these approaches implemented in actual teaching environments.

Parents and teachers will find this series to be a helpful companion and extension to A Work in Progress.  All author proceeds from A Work in Progress Companion Series will go directly to the Autism Partnership Family Foundation which was developed for three purposes: to provide services to families with limited resources; to fund research that will investigate new strategies and programs that truly make a difference in the lives of children and families; and to disseminate information about evidence-based treatment and provide resources for training parents and professionals.

 

“Cool” versus “Not Cool” Booklet & DVD: Volume 1

Volume 1 demonstrates the Cool versus Not Cool strategy. This is one of Autism Partnership’s most-used strategies for teaching students foundational as well as advanced social skills. Essentially, the strategy teaches students to understand the difference between behaviors that are socially appropriate (cool) and those that are inappropriate (not cool). In later stages they go on to actually practice the appropriate form of the behavior and receive feedback on their efforts. Research confirms the clinical experience that cool versus not cool is effective in teaching social skills and enabling students to monitor their own behavior.

 

Learning How to Learn Booklet & DVD: Volume 2

Volume 2 demonstrates the Learning How to Learn strategy. This is an underemphasized area in treatment and education. We often take for granted that students know how to learn or will acquire this skill on their own. But if students cannot pay attention, will not wait, or do not understand feedback, then learning is extremely difficult. In this volume, you will see programs described and demonstrated that have been found to be helpful in teaching students how to learn.

 

Teaching Interactions Booklet & DVD: Volume 3

Volume 3 demonstrates the Teaching Interactions strategy.  The Teaching Interaction is an approach found to be especially effective with students who have more advanced language ability. It offers a conversation style of teaching which adds the all important element of leading students to understand rationales for why they might want to change their behavior and learn new skills. With Teaching Interactions, students develop understanding and insight that help develop their internal motivation.

 

 

Token Economy Booklet & DVD: Volume 4
Volume 4 demonstrates how to effectively develop and use a Token Economy. Although token systems are commonly used in school as well at home, too often critical steps are neglected in their development. You will learn step-by-step how to ensure there is a strong connection between the target behavior and the reward that follows. Token Economies have a number of advantages and can be very flexible in adapting to the age of the student, the types of rewards used, and the skills and behavioral targets you are seeking to improve.

 
Developing Reinforcers Booklet & DVD: Volume 5

Finally, Volume 5 focuses on Developing Reinforcers. The foundation of good teaching is utilizing powerful reinforcement so as to motivate students to learn as well as behave appropriately.  This volume will show you how to be creative in developing new sources of reinforcement, which is especially useful for students who have limited interests.

 

 

 

To celebrate the publication of A Work In Progress Companion Series, we’re slashing the price of each booklet & DVD from $29.95 to $19.95 apiece. And to make it even better, the Companion Series is the Pick of the Week so you can save an additional 15% by entering the Promo Code BLOGWIPCC at checkout.

*Offer expires on May 8, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.

Pick of the Week: EasyDaysies Magnetic Schedule for Kids

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The EasyDaysies Magnetic Schedule was created by a Mom of three and she’s got scheduling down pat! The simple board helps structure kids’ daily routies while teaching them independence, self-discipline and sight word recognition. With the “To Do” and “Done” columns, you can also use it as a reward system. This starter kit comes with the board and 18 Magnets that cover everyday activities such as get dressed, do homework, and bath time.

This week, we’re also offering a 15% discount on the supplemental kit for Family Activities. This pack includes 9 magnets to add to your schedule that families often do together such as shopping, movie night, church and more.

This week only, save 15% on both the EasyDaysies Magnetic Schedule for Kids and the Family Activities Kit by entering the Promo Code BLOGEDMS at checkout.

*Offer expires on April 24, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Not compatible with any other offer. Be sure there are no spaces after the Promo Code when you enter it at checkout.