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Common Behaviors and Appropriate Strategies that Improve Success in Vocational Placement for Individuals with Autism Spe

Common Behaviors and Appropriate Strategies that Improve Success in Vocational Placement for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Sherry A. Moyer, B.S. Regional Asperger Syndrome Consultant NHS Human Services smoyer@nhsonline.org. Our Objectives for Today.

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Common Behaviors and Appropriate Strategies that Improve Success in Vocational Placement for Individuals with Autism Spe

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  1. Common Behaviors andAppropriate Strategies that Improve Success in Vocational Placement for Individualswith Autism Spectrum Disorders Sherry A. Moyer, B.S. Regional Asperger Syndrome Consultant NHS Human Services smoyer@nhsonline.org

  2. Our Objectives for Today • Participants will be able to create necessary visual or organizational supports that improve consistent demonstration of appropriate behavior in a vocational placement. • Participants will be able to demonstrate effective interventions for mediating disruptive or explosive behaviors on the job site. • Participants will be able to complete at least 2 different types of behavior plans that can be used to document necessary modifications and behavioral strategies at a vocational placement. • Participants will be able to employ at least 5 strategies for teaching social position and relational boundaries to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. • Participants will be able to identify at least 3 key principles associated with sexuality development and their influence successful vocational placement.

  3. Some Realities AboutBehavior In General • EVERY behavior occurs for a reason, human beings are not random thoughtless creatures. • Behaviors are a response to the circumstances in the environment at any given moment. • The behaviors that we exhibit may not be the most appropriate however they are usually the most readily available at that moment and often come without much thought or consideration of the consequences.

  4. The Short Answer Regarding Functions of Behavior • Escape/Avoidance: confusion, fear of failure • Attention-Seeking: Unsuccessful social interaction, leftover anger • Gain access to a preferred item/activity: break time, lunch time, time to go HOME • Automatic reinforcement: paycheck! • Biological: SEX, exhaustion, stress, emotions.

  5. Behavior Specific toAutism Spectrum Disorders • You should know that self-regulation challenges are FUNDAMENTAL issues for people with ASDs. • You do not have to be an expert in ASDs to positively affect client outcomes. • Clear and VERY SPECIFIC communication and patience will become your best tools for success.

  6. If You Need More Help Dealing With Complex Issues Consult Your Local Expert

  7. A Few Words About Applied Behavior Analysis on the Job • Behavior analysis is the scientific study of behavior. Behavior analysts ask, Why does behavior change over time? They seek answers by looking at the biological and environmental factors, although they are primarily interested in the role of environment in behavior change. Many behavior analysts do either basic or applied research. Others specialize in applying behavior change principles to enhancing quality of life. • The application of behavior analysis is very broad, ranging from assisting individuals in overcoming drug addiction to improving workplace organizations. Behavior analysis has been applied to programs related to diet, exercise, juvenile delinquency, toilet training, education, organizational structures, and more. • This information was taken from the Web site of Applied Behavior Analysis International: http://www.abainternational.org/ba.asp

  8. There may be a number of reasons why you would need a specialist in Applied Behavior Analysis for your clients… • Exceptionally complex behavior patterns • Multiple disabilities that confound or overlap each other • Determination of causality of behaviors • Ability to establish specialized behavior plans • Can establish and/or evaluate data collection and methodology

  9. Organizational Challenges and Other Dumb Stuff that Becomes Critical to Maintaining a Job…

  10. Adaptive Behavior Concerns As Related To Successful Employment • Hygiene • Any current adaptive strategies being employed • Use of visuals, augmentative devices • Willingness to ask for help • Transportation/navigation • Paperwork, record keeping • Money management

  11. My Personal Work Checklist…

  12. Transportation Checklist

  13. Schedules • Create a safety net of predictability • Serves as a check list for completing required activities • Helps to reinforce appropriate behaviors • Can be written or visual with graphics or photos • Help to manage time • Are useful for EVERYONE not just people with disabilities

  14. My Day At Work… • 8:00 a.m./eight o’clock in the morning: • Arrive at work • Put my coat and lunch away • Use bathroom if I need to • Check in with supervisor or safe person • Make sure I have my materials • This should take about 15 – 20 minutes. √ √ √

  15. Another Sample Schedule…

  16. The Importance of Social Behavior at Work…

  17. Social Concerns As Related To Successful Employment • Relational boundaries • Understanding of need for positions of authority • Ability and degree of need to communicate or interact with other employees • Social competence which is based on the sum or results of assessment in all other areas of functioning

  18. Social Priorities of My Job • Appropriate Dress • Appropriate Hygiene • Formality of the Environment • Supervisory Structure • Informal Social Demands • Informal Communication • Use of Free Time • Schedule • Disclosure to Colleagues

  19. Social Boundaries on My Job

  20. Social Boundaries on My Job

  21. Let’s Look a Another Means of Illustrating Social Boundaries…

  22. Wait! Don’t Forget ThatSexuality is Social Too! • People with Autism Spectrum Disorders have patterns of sexual development that are found in the general population. • The issue is that their special interests and poor understanding of social boundaries could get them in SERIOUS trouble without direct instruction in the following areas.

  23. Principles of Sexuality that Affect Social Success at Work… • The difference between kindness and attraction. • The difference between public and private. • No matter what your reasoning, certain behaviors are just plain illegal. • Sexual behaviors will be some of the most socially confusing that you will EVER experience. • No matter what you see in the movies or on TV, there is NO appropriate time for sexually oriented behaviors at work.

  24. Let’s take a look at the difference between kindness and attraction…

  25. Public Behaviors Sneezing Washing Hands Holding Hands Hugs Quick Kiss ???? Private Behaviors Scratching Passing Gas Burp Fondling Masturbation ???? How About Public vs. Private?

  26. Strategies for Supporting Positive Behaviors on the Job…

  27. Behavioral Concerns As Related To Successful Employment • Known triggers • Disruptive behaviors • Predictable patterns of behaviors • Ability to self-direct or monitor • Self-regulation • Need for behavior analysis? • Crisis plan

  28. Self-Regulation By definition, self-regulation is the systematic effort to direct thoughts, feelings and actions toward the attainment of one’s goals (Zimmerman, 2000). This is the art of selecting a socially acceptable response to any given situation that is BALANCED with the intensity of the circumstances.

  29. Components Skills of Self-Regulation • identifying goals • creating strategies to achieve the goals • self-monitoring performance for evidence of progress • configuring physical and social contexts to support achievement of goals • time management • self-evaluating methodologies • attributing causation to results • adapting future methods Schunk & Zimmerman (1994; 1998)

  30. Let’s Try One!

  31. The V-CAPS forms are available at Autism Asperger Publishing Company, www.asperger.net or The Ziggurat Group at www.texasautism.com.

  32. The V-CAPS forms are available at Autism Asperger Publishing Company, www.asperger.net or The Ziggurat Group at www.texasautism.com.

  33. Modulation Modulation on the other hand is the ability to inhibit your behavior successfully enough to respond without over reacting. It is your VOLUME BUTTON For individuals with Asperger Syndrome, this can be particularly challenging when responding to emotional situations (Myles, Dunn and Orr, 2000).

  34. The Balancing Act

  35. The Balancing Act

  36. MAGIC STATEMENTS! • What can I do to help you make things better? • Do you need a little more to answer/finish what you were doing? • I will help you figure this out when you are calm enough to problem solve. • I understand that you are upset. • You have a right to your feelings.

  37. Crisis Do’s and Don’ts • Address escalation behaviors quickly, use modulation chart whenever possible • EXPLAIN YOURSELF • Give time for individual to process • Be respectful, stay positively focused • Remember NATURAL consequences will be most effective • Offer limited alternatives to support problem solving • Suggest that you will help when they are calm enough to problem solve • Maintain safety WITHOUT over reacting • Allow for enough recovery time before discussion or it is YOUR problem when they escalate again! • Give the individual control of their situation to the best of their ability • Avoid becoming overly restrictive in actions or statements • NO threats! • Hovering is for BUZZARDS not staff • IGNORE needs that are not being met • Grab and go • Silence is NOT golden in this case • Be shocked by what you see or hear • Focus on inappropriate behaviors DURING the incident • Interfere with an unfamiliar client unless you are asked!

  38. Don’t Forget the Employers • Give them a copy of each checklist or behavior plan that is being used. • Train immediate co-workers and supervisors. • Maintain a regular schedule of contact. • Designate a “safe person” who is tolerant and calm in demeanor.

  39. Thanks for Having Me!!! Sherry A. Moyer, B.S. Regional Asperger Syndrome Consultant NHS Human Services smoyer@nhsonline.org

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