Martha Gabler, Author at Autism: Chaos to Calm

Behavior Basics 39 and 40: End of Week Wrap-Up

May 9, 2014February 15, 2016 Martha Gabler

39. A conditioned reinforcer must be clear, precise and consistent.

In Behavior Basics 37 and 38, we discussed how a sharp, quick sound or flash of light is the best tool for “marking” a behavior. With the press of a finger, a TAGteach tagger can precisely mark even a split second of a desired behavior. But why is consistency important? Let’s remember that the “tag” (or click) sound is a conditioned reinforcer. The definition of the word “conditioned” states that the object is characterized by “predictable” or “consistent” patterns. There are two features of the tag that we want to be consistent for the learner: (1) the tag means success! The child did something right, and (2) the tag means a reinforcer (treat, reward) is coming. When a child knows that the tag always means these two things, she has a great strategy for learning: just listen, pay attention, try again, feel free to experiment, and enjoy all the reinforcements delivered during the process. The tag creates a path forward for the child because it always and only means those two things – success and reinforcement.

40. The best conditioned reinforcer for a child with autism is a click sound.

A click sound is an excellent conditioned reinforcer because of the features mentioned above in Behavior Basic 39: it is quick, precise and consistent. The click (or “tag”) predictably means two things: success and reinforcement. Another feature of the click is that because of its precision and speed, it can only mark one small behavior (physical movement of the body) at a time. This feature ensures that the child will not be asked to do something that is too complex for her. The tag can only mark one movement, not two or three, so the instructor or teacher has to think about a task carefully and break it down into small steps that the child can do. This protects the child from being overwhelmed with difficult demands. With time and experience, the child develops trust that she will only be presented with a task she can comfortably perform, and only for the length of time that she can comfortably perform it. The click sound is the best sound because it is quick, precise and targeted.

REMINDER: This concludes the wrap-up of Behavior Basics for the week. Please remember the schedule: On the release date of each module, the Behavior Basics for that module will be compiled into a PDF ebook available from our blog and Facebook page. Click on this link to download the entire series of 42 Behavior Basics for free: http://statictab.com/m7bizwt.

The Humanity of Autism

May 5, 2014February 15, 2016 Martha Gabler

Our guest post today is from Mr. Michael Crawley, who provides employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities at The Meadows in Oklahoma. The Meadows Center for Opportunity, Inc., is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization which has been serving the vocational training needs of adults with developmental disabilities. Since 1983, the Meadows has provided these individuals with the opportunity to work, socialize, and focus on a positive future.

Autism is often misunderstood by the public. Because it takes many forms and has a wide range of characteristics, its effects can be subtle or startling. When it’s diagnosed, entire families are changed forever. Communication and social interaction can be affected in varying degrees. It is rapidly on the rise, and there is still much about it that remains unresolved. However, one thing about autism is absolutely certain; the people who live with it are completely equal members of the human family.

Behavior Basics 37 and 38: End of Week Wrap-up

May 2, 2014February 15, 2016 Martha Gabler

37. Good candidates for conditioned reinforcers are a short, sharp sound, flash of light, quick hand signal.

In Behavior Basic #30, we discussed how the TIMING of the reinforcer is information for the child. Specific, precise, timely reinforcement builds behaviors faster than slow, late reinforcement. How can you deliver split second reinforcement in a real-time setting? With a conditioned reinforcer that is short, sharp and fast. The best reinforcers are a short, sharp sound, a quick flash of light, or a quick hand signal. The TAGteach tagger is an ideal tool for several reasons. It can mark a split second of behavior the moment it occurs, and, it is light, portable and low cost. It is easy to use: with a quick press of the thumb, the metal tab makes a click sound: the child knows instantly that he has accomplished the tag point and will soon be getting a treat. It is simple, easy, and effective. Taggers are available from www.tagteach.com, and cost about $1.50.

38. Use a conditioned reinforcer immediately after the behavior – follow with the candy, stickers, etc.

Use the conditioned reinforcer, such as the TAGteach tagger (or clicker), and mark the behavior immediately after the child has achieved the tag point. The more closely the desired behavior and reinforcer are paired, the faster the child will learn. This simple, fast process of tag and treat, tag and treat, is a great way to build behaviors faster, plus, it is pleasant for the child.

How positive are you? Go for the 8 to 1 ratio!

April 28, 2014February 15, 2016 Martha Gabler

Today we feature some wonderful, enlightening comments from Dr. Mary Lynch Barbera, nurse, autism mom, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She shares her thoughts on the benefits to the entire family of using positive reinforcement. The magic ratio is 8 positives to 1 negative. Thank you Mary!

From Mary Lynch Barbera: Lessons Learned on My Autism Journey

“I have been doing a Keynote presentation for the past several years called ‘Lessons Learned on my Autism Journey.’ One of the lessons, which I’ve discussed a few times in the past month, is perhaps the most important general lesson. The best part of this lesson is that you will most likely benefit no matter how old you are, no matter if you are male or female and no matter if you know anything about autism. This life lesson, in fact, is really not about autism at all.

Behavior Basics 35 & 36: End of Week Wrap-up

April 25, 2014February 15, 2016 Martha Gabler

35. A conditioned reinforcer is something previously neutral that has gained reinforcing potential.

A conditioned reinforcer can be any quick sound or action. It can be a whistle, a tap, a flash of light, or a click sound made by a small plastic device called a “tagger.” Initially, the sound or flash has no significance for a child, but, by pairing the sound with a treat or other pleasing consequence, the “tag” (click sound) becomes an important event for the child. The tag means that a treat is coming. A tag means that the child did something right or achieved something. The tag is good news! The tag is worth paying attention to – this is very important. The tag teaches the child to focus on his own actions. What was I just doing that caused Mom to tag and hand me a treat? Was it swinging my arm or looking at the toy? Hmmm, I’ll try swinging my arm again. Nothing, no tag. Okay, I’ll trying looking at the toy again. TAG! Oh, that was it! I get it. I’ll look at the toy some more! Boy, Mom sure seems happy when I look at a toy. I know she’s happy because she tagged and gave me a treat, and I’m happy too.

36. Create a conditioned reinforcer by pairing it with something the child already likes.

How does the child learn that the acoustical signal, the “tag” (click sound) has meaning? You teach the child by “pairing” the tag with a treat. This can be achieved very quickly. When I first got a tagger, I sat down next to my son with a fruit roll-up and proceeded to tag and hand over slivers of fruit roll-up. It went like this: tag/hand over sliver, tag/hand over sliver, tag/hand over sliver, continuously. In 25 seconds he figured out that the tag meant that a treat was coming. 25 seconds! That’s all it took. I never had to repeat that lesson. I could immediately start using the tag to teach new skills. Try it! It’s great fun to teach a child with autism something in just 25 seconds!

TAGteach Tale: Tink rocked her blood tests!

April 22, 2014November 27, 2017 Martha Gabler

Preparing the child

Medical procedures can be tough on kids with special needs, especially anything involving a needle. Advance preparation can help. Here’s how one dad in the UK used TAGteach to prepare his daughter Tink for some necessary but unwelcome blood tests.

How TAGteach helped the Dad

Dad Seany Pogson says, “TAGteach gave me confidence so I didn’t panic. I had been worried about it for about two weeks. TAGteach gave me a coping strategy by being able to build up my daughter’s experience to be ready for it. The nurses helped a lot too when I explained the situation to them. The nurses are there because they care. They don’t mean to cause any upset to anyone. If they had just taken her arm without her offering it, they wouldn’t have been able to do it.”

How Dad used TAGteach to prepare his daughter

“First of all, I built up touch on the arm as a cue so she was offering her arm for touch. Then I slowly increased it so she did it with other people. Next, I built it up from a touch on the arm to holding her wrist, and then offering her wrist to other people — again until she was comfortable with letting other people do the same.

Want to avoid emotional overload? Use TAGteach!

April 14, 2014February 15, 2016 Martha Gabler

Kids with autism tend to be super-sensory!

They often report that they experience sounds, sights and movements at very intense levels. This intensity can overload their systems, cause them emotional distress, and be an impediment to learning new skills.

We are all like this to some extent: we experience emotions and we broadcast our emotions — through our body language and especially through our voices. Probably everyone has had the experience of calling a friend on the phone and, from the tone of voice when the person answers, being able to tell instantly how that person is feeling.

TAGteach: What to do when dark clouds roll in

April 8, 2014February 15, 2016 Martha Gabler

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed

In recent posts I have talked about building behaviors from tiny seeds of potentially positive physical movements, and nurturing these new behaviors with lots of positive reinforcement.

But, sometimes dark clouds roll in and the sunshine goes away. When we get overwhelmed or tired, it’s all too easy to fall into negative habits.

When things get bleak, positive reinforcement can go out the window

A few weeks ago I had a string of bad days – mostly being tired, stressed, and cranky. I had no patience with my son, and little things that normally would be easy to handle suddenly seemed impossible. I slipped into negative comments and negative behaviors towards him. I knew I should instead pick up the rate of positive reinforcement, but didn’t have the energy to do so.

Plants seek the light, kids with autism seek success, TAGteach delivers both

April 1, 2014February 15, 2016 Martha Gabler

Plants grow towards the light

Why? So they can grow better, so that their cells produce more food for the plants to grow. This phenomenon is known as phototropism. Phototropism is so powerful that plants turn around completely to face the sun as the sun moves across the sky. Here is a cute 2-minute video that shows phototropism in time-lapse photography.

Kids with autism need to grow too, but they need special help. They need help with understanding what to do, when to do it, and how long to do it. The best way for them to learn is with success. When they experience success, they turn towards the activities that deliver reinforcement, just as the plants turn toward the light.

Success is the “light” for kids with autism

For all of us, the feeling of success makes us feel good; it gives us a sense of accomplishment. When a learning experience is successful, the learner feels confident in performing a task and is eager to do more. We all want our kids with autism to experience success, confidence and enthusiasm for learning. How best to achieve this? How can we deliver success to our kids? TAGteach is ideal for this. In addition to the event marker (the tag or “click”), TAGteach has other protocols that make sure kids have a successful learning experience. Here is one of them: Start at the Point of Success.

TAGteach: Building great behaviors from the smallest seeds

March 31, 2014February 15, 2016 Martha Gabler

The entire fruit is already present in the seed

Since springtime is almost upon us, many people are thinking about their yards and gardens, and may even be starting seeds for flowers and vegetables. Seeds are amazing things. From these very tiny particles, large plants and trees will grow.

Our kids with autism don’t follow the typical growth process. With their communication, learning and sensory issues, they often display challenging, dysfunctional and disruptive behaviors. In fact, so many difficult behaviors may be going on at the same time that it may seem impossible to make headway on any front.

But, in the midst of the behavioral chaos, a child with autism will, at some point, perform a behavior (physical movement) that can be the basis of more functional behaviors. These fleeting movements are “seeds” that can eventually grow into functional behaviors, provided they are nurtured and receive lots of positive reinforcement.

How can we increase the number of times our kids with autism perform such rare, but desired, physical movements? TAGteach!

TAGteach is a teaching and communication method that combines an audible marker, a “tag” (click) made by a small plastic device called a “tagger” with positive reinforcement. With a tagger you “mark” a desired physical movement performed by your child and then give her a treat (the reinforcer). Because the tag is so quick and immediate, you can pinpoint even the most fleeting movements for your child.