Archive for October, 2010
Most autistic children are almost devoid of self discipline resulting in inappropriate out bursts and potentially dangerous habits like aggression, harming themselves and having their heads against walls. Self management is the technique with which parents and educators try to prevent these and other behaviors of autistic tendencies. Empowering the child over itself is the key to control violent situation. It may be a positive step towards learning other behaviors also.
Self management becomes effective because the child is not at all controlled by others. Regular self management treatment during particular times of day or at school or therapy leads to the child practicing it all through the day. The key is to implement a program where the child monitors his or her behavior and activities. Start with short amounts of time; continue monitoring the child from a more passive stand point. Tell the child every ten or fifteen minutes that he or she is in control and needs to monitor and be aware of good and bad behavior.
This monitoring is a kind of self evaluation. Under control, the child reflects on it behavior in the past and present. Clear goals should be set for the child like an afternoon with no aggression for others or a day at school with no self injury. Ask the child every fifteen minutes how he or she is doing and if the goal is met. If the answer is negative the child is not ready for self management or the goals are not achievable. Ensure that the goals are easy to reach at first and then move the child toward difficult goals in the future. Success in self monitoring makes the child more positive towards experience.
A rewards system is an important part of self management. Let the child come up with its own reward according to it interest. Reinforce these good behavior or goals clearly in the child’s mind and reward the child. This renders the child totally in control of the self management system. As a simple reward put on a smiling face when the goal is met and a sad face when it is not. Gradually when the larger goal is met a new toy may be given as a reward.
As it takes a long time to develop these programs, the child and the educator must have enough time to devote to a self management experience. Reinforcement of good behavior with rewards should be determined by the child and not by an adult. Then the child will continue even when not participating in the program. This can be a good treatment program for the autistic child if it is mature enough.
