Consequence: Anything that happens after the behavior has occurred. It could be a reaction from the parent/caregiver/therapist, access to a favorite toy, or attention, e.g., getting a break after completing an activity, getting scolded for misbehaving, people smiling or disapproving, etc.
Reinforcement: Addition of a stimulus to increase the frequency of behavior. It is used to help increase the probability that a specific behavior will occur in the future by giving a reward/stimulus immediately after the behavior is exhibited.
-Positive Reinforcement involves presenting a stimulus to the child after the desired behavior is exhibited making that behavior more likely to occur in the future. Eg: A kid is given a cookie as s/he keeps the toys back in the cupboard, here, a cookie is a positive reinforcer.
-Negative Reinforcement: involves when a stimulus is removed after the behavior is exhibited. Eg A child keeps his toys back in the cupboard to avoid solving puzzles that s/he doesn’t like. In this case, s/he will not be rewarded with a cookie.
Punishment: Punishment is a process by which a consequence immediately follows a behavior which decreases the frequency of that behavior occurring in the future.
-Positive punishment involves presenting a negative consequence after an undesirable behavior is exhibited making that behavior less likely to occur in the future. Eg: A child who engages in aggressive behavior with other children is made to finish two pages of the worksheet.
-Negative punishment involves removing a desired stimulus after an undesirable behavior is exhibited. Eg: A child if engages in an aggressive manner, then the teacher takes his toy away from him which he likes.

Impairments in communication are another important hallmark of Autism. The underlying cause is that the individual with autism does not naturally pick up gestures, facial expressions, appropriate eye contact, or tone of voice. They do not easily acquire speech and language or if the language is developed, it is used in unusual ways, with a “marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others.”
The parents always seek professional help with these concerns for their child-“My child does not have speech. Please teach him to talk”. In the desperation to see the child verbalize with words and sentences, they not only fail to connect with him/her but are also unable to consider all the other means of communication which are:-
- Whether expression comes through spoken language, picture cards, a communication device, gestures, or sign language; it is all communication.
-Each child has something to say to us. It is our responsibility to listen in a way that ensures that they are heard and understood.
The therapeutic and social aspect is key and helping someone with autism acquire speech which will aid in connecting to others.

Shaping a child’s behavior involves three steps: tell, show, do.

#autism #autistic #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #neurodiverse #neurodivergent #autismpride #asd #pride #loveislove #autismawareness #autismacceptance #forabettertomorrow #autismadvocate #specialneeds #specialneedsparenting #staystrong #thanks #life #optionsoflife #lifechoices #choices #working #patience #success #failure #happiness #love #story

To have a situation in control, one need to have control over self and have patience. This applies to various aspects of life, including interactions with autistic children. Maintaining self-control and practicing patience can help create a calm and supportive environment, which is beneficial for both the child and the caregiver or educator. It allows for better communication, understanding, and problem-solving.

It is simply the application of behavioral principles, to everyday situations, that will, over time, increase or decrease targeted behaviors.
ABA has been used to help individuals acquire many different skills, such as language skills, self-help skills, and play skills; in addition, these principles can help to decrease maladaptive behaviors such as aggression, self-stimulatory behaviors, and self-injurious behavior.
In short, ABA gives simple techniques and strategies that are used to increase good behavior and decrease bad behavior.
First Step - Antecedent Manipulations (things to do before the behavior has occurred):
*Task Clarification: break down the task into smaller easier steps. Give clear precise instructions.
*Environment modification: reduce distractions in the environment. Arrange the environment such that the most interesting thing within sight is the activity you want the child to engage in.
*Routines/ Schedules with breaks: set clear routines with frequent breaks so that the child’s day is structured.
*Rules/expectations: be very firm and clear with what you are asking the child to do. Set age-appropriate expectations.
*Behavior contracts: written contracts where both individuals sign their acceptance of the terms of the contracts.
*Capturing motivation: make the activity interesting by engaging in the activity with the individual. Be cheerful and excited when teaching.
*Provide hints and clues to the child for an activity.
#autism #autistic #neurodiversity #autismpride #asd #autismawareness #autismacceptance #autismadvocate #staystrong #thanks #life #optionsoflife #lifechoices #choices #patience #success #happiness #love #story #aba #appliedbehavioranalysis

It’s not just the parties and celebrations that let kids know they’re appreciated and needed. “Sometimes it’s the smaller changes that help to bond and give them a safe space, for they are more numerous in quantity and truly make up the bulk of our lives,”. Small moments are the cement that strengthens the relationships that will give back to us in the years to come! Don’t miss to celebrate these small moments with kids. You might have different experiences but think from their perspective.
#parent #parenting #parentingtips #celebration #love #celebrate #story #exam #examresults #care #compassion #kids #trust #success #failure #happiness #choices #life

The causes of Autism are unknown and many people think it is caused by Genes. There had been a study on children with Autism. The group included identical twins (share 100% of genetic information and the same intrauterine environment), fraternal twins (share 50% of the genetic information and the same intrauterine environment), and Siblings. This study helped to understand the concordance rate – “the probability if one child has Autism then what is the probability of another child of the same parents to have Autism”.
The study revealed that the concordance rate in:
- Identical twins was 77%.
- Fraternal twins was 31%.
- Siblings was ~20%.
Surprisingly it is not 100% in identical twins so genetics does not account for all risks for Autism but yet they account for a lot of that risk.
Also, Males are affected 4 to 1 compared to females with Autism, we don’t understand what that cause is.
Genetics could be one of the risk factors but it is not the only factor.
Ref- https://www.kennedykrieger.org/stories/interactive-autism-network-ian/autism-twins-study
#autism #autistic #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #neurodiverse #neurodivergent #autismpride #asd #pride #loveislove #autismawareness #autismacceptance #forabettertomorrow #autismadvocate #spectrum_inspired #specialneeds #staystrong #thanks #life #optionsoflife #lifechoices #choices #working #patience #success #failure #happiness #love #story

All parents and caregivers need to understand that everything about the kid is not a challenge. There are many habits which might not look usual but are being followed by a large group unknowingly. We need to make our life easy and consider the kids as individuals. The have their own way of being and we must just help them, guide and be there for them when needed.
#autism #autistic #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #neurodiverse #neurodivergent #autismpride #asd #pride #loveislove #autismawareness #autismacceptance #forabettertomorrow #autismadvocate #spectrum_inspired #specialneeds #staystrong #thanks #life #optionsoflife #lifechoices #choices #working #patience #success #failure #happiness #love #story

Often parents confuse discipline and control in their behaviour. They tend to control kids while teaching them #discipline.
Discipline means to add routine to make you and the kid better and it starts from self. Start by creating a daily routine for your own self and add kids activities to it. This will help you in folds. One you will have all the activities written at a place such that you don’t miss. Second, you will have a heads if you need some help.
Control refers when we wish to drive kids with our way in our terms. We need to remember that none likes to be controlled. We must treat them as individuals and respect there opinions. Controlling will lead to anger and frustration. When it conned to special kids then they need more time and additional help that one needs to account for.
#autism #autistic #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #neurodiverse #neurodivergent #autismpride #asd #love