The Basics of Autism The Basics of Autism Spectrum Disordersp

Training Series

Regional Autism Advisory Council of

Southwest Ohio (RAAC SWO)Southwest Ohio (RAAC-SWO)

Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Task Force

Ad lt T i i S i M d lAdult Training Series Modules

Module One: Autism Defined, Autism Prevalence and Primary Characteristicsm y

Module Two: Physical Characteristics of Autism

Module Three: Cognition and Learning in Autism

Module Four: Autism and Sensory Differences

Module Five: Communication and Autism

Ad lt T i i S i M d lAdult Training Series Modules

Module Six: Behavior Challenges and Autism

Module Seven: Understanding Behavior in Module Seven: Understanding Behavior in P h P h

ggPersons with AutismPersons with Autism

Module Eight: Functional Behavior Assessment

Module Nine: Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach

Module Ten: Special Issues of Adolescence and p fAdulthood

Module Eleven: Safety and Autism

Big IdeaBig Idea

We must first understand We must first understand why a behavior occurs ybefore we are able to

h change it.

Steps to Understanding Steps to Understanding Reasons for Behavior

Step One: Describe What Was Happening Before the Behavior Started

Who, What, When, Where, and then Why?

Where does the behavior happen?Where does the behavior happen?

When does the behavior happen?

Who is there when the behavior occurs?

Wh t h i i ht b f th What was happening right before the behavior started?

Step Two: D ib th B h iStep Two: Describe the Behavior

Describe the behavior exactlyDescribe the behavior exactly.What did it look like (as if you had a yvideo camera)?

Who was involved?Who was involved?

How long did it last?g

What was being said?

Step Three: What Happened Step Three: What Happened Immediately Following the Behavior?

What happened to end the behavior?What did the person do?What did the person do?Was someone else involved in ending the behavior?behavior?Did the person get what he wanted?What was it?

Big IdeaBig Idea

All behavior happens for All behavior happens for a reason and it is motivated by something.

Some Reasons Behind Behavior

B h i f i ith h t i h i Behaviors are a way of coping with what is happening around us.

B h i l d h h i l d Behaviors are learned through trial and error.

Behaviors that are reinforced are likely to continue.

If a behavior continues to occur or it is increasing, it is being reinforced in some way.

To change the person’s behavior, we must change what we are doing.

ReinforcementReinforcementReinforcement is something that follows a f g fbehavior that either makes it occur more often or less often. Examples:

a baby says “mama” for the first time and mommy smiles, claps, and yells her excitement. (Positive)

a teenager comes home past curfew and the parent grounds the teenager for two weeks.

(Negative)(Negative)

I receive a paycheck every 2 weeks. (Positive)

Reinforcement is ImportantReinforcement is ImportantWe all reinforce ourselves throughout the day. f g y

(i.e. an ice cream cone, a break, a favorite television show, praise), p )

Persons with ASD tend to need a lot of reinforcement throughout their day.f m ug u y.

- It increases motivation to participate.

- Participation can help in learning new things.

- Once the behavior is learned, the reinforcement can usually be lessened.

Bi IdeaBig Idea

Everyone’s reinforcers are ydifferent. We have to find out what works for each out what works for each

person. p