Gradual Progress
Because autism affects several areas of functioning that have a big impact on daily life, caregivers can feel swamped. Family members, teachers, therapists, and others interested in the well-being of an individual diagnosed with autism are often helping with communication skills, social skills, sensory sensitivities, and adaptive skills while at the same time dealing with behavior issues. One principle that can help us maintain focus while wandering through this complex maze is this: Consider “success” or “progress” on a spectrum rather than as a “pass-fail” or an “all-or-nothing” outcome.
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For example, a pre-schooler with autism is very agitated for 50 minutes of every hour, i.e. she screams, throws items, rocks vigorously, cries, and is generally miserable. In the best interest of the pre-schooler and the other students in her class, we naturally want that behavior to stop immediately. But, unless we can identify and remove a single catalyst to her frustration, it is more realistic to focus on gradually decreasing her disruptive and potentially hurtful behavior.
In this case, helping the youngster remain calm for one more minute, and decreasing screaming to only 49 minutes in an hour is a step in the right direction. Granted, 49 minutes of screaming doesn’t feel successful, but every step forward needs to be recognized and acknowledged. Eventually that 49 minutes of screaming every hour drops to 48, then 47, and down, down, down until finally, it is just an occasional outburst once every few days.
If a youngster ALWAYS scoots his plate on the floor, ALWAYS hits anyone who comes near, ALWAYS throws any item you put in his hands, ALWAYS bites her arm when you close the story book, or ALWAYS runs out any open door, we need to be watching carefully for the ONE time their pattern changes. And we purposefully teach the skill and give lots of opportunities to practice so we can help get things set up for that ONE success. The youngster may move very gradually along that spectrum of success, but the goal is to keep moving forward.
We welcome your thoughts and experiences. Just click on the comments button or send an e-mail to talk@FAQautism.com.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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