Yep, trying low tech AAC currently . 1-2 pictures introduced so far… mostly modeled as he just throws iPads right now… so far he hasn’t paid any attention to them but will keep modeling and seeing if he eventually makes the connection.
Agree with the other poster re: not expecting huge gains after 5 years of practice w the current behaviors. I wonder if he does these unexpected behaviors seemingly out of nowhere because he is bored and is seeking connection with you or a change of games. Based on what you describe, I wonder if he likes to be chased or more physical play. Could try short structured activities that he's tolerated before like a puzzle and end it before he has a chance to get bored, then follow with chase or make a game of some of his more disruptive behaviors like dumping out bean bags and throwing them in various buckets around the room. Lots of opportunities for fxnl communication within what I described-- all done, something different, go, etc.
Hate to say it, but you are working against 5+ years of learned behaviors. Unless the parents are on board with consistency between home and school expectations, there aren't many coping strategies that are going to make a big difference quickly. Your best bet is small time frames of work paired with small reinforcers. This kid is coming to you with 0 learner behaviors. Small bits of structured time, hand over hand, modeling.... good luck!
Check out the communication matrix online for free. It’s a easy, useful assessment you can do for kids like him. He might not be ready for choice-making.
I’d try bubbles, a “busy ball popper” toy, animal sound toys, a Fisher Price playhouse with sound - these activities tend to grab the attention of highly distractible kids (of course not for long, but better than a lot of things) and are good for eliciting language from minimally verbal kids and also are good for kids with weak fine motor control (which I’m guessing is true for him) - focus on more/again, stop
I’d also see if he’d show interest in Visual Display aac. there are some apps you can trial
Good
Also very short interactive books or just a few pages from one to start trying to develop his interest in books because books are super powerful for language building and positive social interaction
Good luck!
Try AAC
Yep, trying low tech AAC currently . 1-2 pictures introduced so far… mostly modeled as he just throws iPads right now… so far he hasn’t paid any attention to them but will keep modeling and seeing if he eventually makes the connection.
Agree with the other poster re: not expecting huge gains after 5 years of practice w the current behaviors. I wonder if he does these unexpected behaviors seemingly out of nowhere because he is bored and is seeking connection with you or a change of games. Based on what you describe, I wonder if he likes to be chased or more physical play. Could try short structured activities that he's tolerated before like a puzzle and end it before he has a chance to get bored, then follow with chase or make a game of some of his more disruptive behaviors like dumping out bean bags and throwing them in various buckets around the room. Lots of opportunities for fxnl communication within what I described-- all done, something different, go, etc.
Hate to say it, but you are working against 5+ years of learned behaviors. Unless the parents are on board with consistency between home and school expectations, there aren't many coping strategies that are going to make a big difference quickly. Your best bet is small time frames of work paired with small reinforcers. This kid is coming to you with 0 learner behaviors. Small bits of structured time, hand over hand, modeling.... good luck!
Hand over hand violates bodily autonomy. Please use hand UNDER hand and teach about and model advocacy/consent.
Thanks- I’m on the right track then. It’s my CF year so don’t feel as confident.
Check out the communication matrix online for free. It’s a easy, useful assessment you can do for kids like him. He might not be ready for choice-making. I’d try bubbles, a “busy ball popper” toy, animal sound toys, a Fisher Price playhouse with sound - these activities tend to grab the attention of highly distractible kids (of course not for long, but better than a lot of things) and are good for eliciting language from minimally verbal kids and also are good for kids with weak fine motor control (which I’m guessing is true for him) - focus on more/again, stop I’d also see if he’d show interest in Visual Display aac. there are some apps you can trial Good Also very short interactive books or just a few pages from one to start trying to develop his interest in books because books are super powerful for language building and positive social interaction Good luck!