Positively Autism October 2011 Newsletter

We're wrapping up our series on PRT this month! Here are all of our October 2011 articles and resources. Be sure to check out the preview of our new ABA tutorial and complete the survey. Thanks!

PRT Research Summary - http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2011/10/prt-research-summary.html

Free Download - PRT Techniques Chart: http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2011/10/free-download-prt-techniques-chart.html

PRT Video Interview: http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2011/10/prt-video-interview.html

Q & A Excerpt with Dr. Robert Koegel: http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2011/10/q-excerpt-with-dr-robert-koegel.html

Book Review: Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism: http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2011/10/book-review-pivotal-response-treatments.html

PRT Links: http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2011/10/prt-links.html

Other Books by PRT Authors: http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2011/10/other-books-by-prt-authors.html

New Free Download: Social Story Praising Accomplishments: http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2011/10/new-free-download-social-story-praising.html

ABA Tutorial Preview: http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2011/10/aba-tutorial-sneak-peak.html

October 2011 Positive Autism News: http://positively-autism.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-2011-positive-autism-news.html

ABA Tutorial Sneak Peak!

Positively Autism excited to announce that we are launching a free online ABA tutorial. This tutorial is intended to give parents, teachers, and others an introduction to Applied Behavior Anlysis (ABA) and its use with individuals with autism.

The tutorial is currently in development, and approximately half of the modules have been created. Positively Autism would like your feedback about the tutorial. A suvey and quiz about the tutorial can be found here: http://www.positivelyautism.com/aba/ABA_Survey.doc . Please save this document to your computer and complete it after you've looked through the tutorial.

Each survey e-mailed to nicole@PositivelyAutism.com will be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Amazon.com gift card! To enter, surveys must have all questions completed and be e-mailed by Thursday, November 17th at 11:59 PM central time (United States).

After you complete the modules that are available, if you could complete both parts of the survey above, it would help to improve the tutorial for its final version.

Here is the link to the tutorial: http://www.positivelyautism.com/aba/

October 2011 Positive Autism News

Autistic students named homecoming royalty
WDAM
October 1, 2011
http://www.wdam.com/story/15592877/autistic-students-named-homecoming-royalty

New Program Helps Students with Autism Succeed in College Classes
Vinton Today
October 17, 2011
http://www.vintoniowa.org/articles/News/article104939.html

Autistic Boy Scout earns 132 merit badges
Deseret News
October 17, 2011
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705392563/Autistic-Boy-Scout-earns-132-merit-badges.html?pg=1


Did you know that Amazon.com will donate a percentage of any purchase to Positively Autism? Each time you order something from Amazon.com, please do it through one of our links, and we will receive a donation. Thank you!

Highland Park Company Employs Adults With Autism
Highland Park Patch
October 20, 2011
http://highlandpark.patch.com/articles/aspiritech-employing-the-talents-of-adults-with-autism

Local church reaches out to families affected by autism
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
October 21, 2011
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/oct/21/local-church-reaches-out-to-families-affected-by-a/

TradeWinds Certified 'Autism Friendly'
Pinellas Beaches, FL Patch
October 21, 2011
http://pinellasbeaches.patch.com/articles/tradewinds-resorts-certified-autism-friendly

Local Autistic boy sings his way across the country to motivate others
News Net 5
October 22, 2011
http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/local-autistic-boy-sings-his-way-across-the-country-to-motivate-others-with-autism

New Free Download - Social Story Praising Accomplishments

Carol Gray, the creator of Social Stories, recommends that some Social Stories are written simply to recognize the accomplishments or positive characteristics of a child. The above is an example I wrote for my son. I've removed some of the pictures of him for confidentiality purposes.

PowerPoint Version: http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/SocialStory_Praise01.ppt
PDF Version: http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/SocialStory_Praise01.pdf

View more of Positively Autism's Social Story and Social Skill resources here: http://www.positivelyautism.com/free/09social.html

Amazon.com recommends...

The New Social Story Book, Revised and Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition: Over 150 Social Stories that Teach Everyday Social Skills to Children with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome, and their Peers

Other Books by PRT Authors

Overcoming Autism: Finding the Answers, Strategies, and Hope That Can Transform a Life
This is book is one of my personal favorites!


Growing Up on the Spectrum: A Guide to Life, Love, and Learning for Teens and Young Adults with Autism and Asperger's


Teaching Children With Autism: Strategies for Initiating Positive Interactions and Improving Learning Opportunities




Positive Behavioral Support: Including People with Difficult Behavior in the Community

PRT Links

UCSB Koegel Autism Center: http://education.ucsb.edu/autism/

Pivotal Response Training Overview from Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism:
http://www.txautism.net/docs/Guide/Interventions/PRT.pdf

PRT Training Manuals: http://education.ucsb.edu/autism/behaviormanuals.html

Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism @ Brookes Publishing: http://www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/koegel-8191/index.htm

Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism @ Amazon.com

Book Review: Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism

According to Brookes Publishing, "Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism is the book by Robert L. Koegel and Lynn Kern Koegel that explains PRT, which advances the widely used applied behavior analysis approach to treating autism by using natural learning. And the results have been remarkable."

I love that PRT is a naturalistic intervention, and can be incorporated into a child's normal daily routines. This book is one of the few guides available about PRT, and is a helpful resource for parents and professionals seeking more information about the approach. My opinion of the pros and cons of the book are described below.

Pros:

• Comprehensive. The book includes information about PRT, cultural diversity and PRT, how to use it in classrooms, homes, intervention programs, and playdates.
• Organized. Chapters are each focused on a specific topic, allowing you to find information specific to your situation quickly and easily.
• Helpful. The book includes examples of data sheets and forms.
• Inclusive. It includes information on using PRT strategies with students across the autism spectrum, including Asperger’s Syndrome.
• Professional and reputable. The authors of this book are respected professionals in the field.

Cons:

• Pro/Con: Very detailed. This is a plus because there is a great deal of information. It may also be considered a con because it may be difficult for parents and teachers to figure out how to organize all of the information into a plan or strategies to put into place for their children or students.
• A little bit more technical and theoretical than practical, which again may not be a drawback if this is the type of book you are looking for. However, it should be noted that the book is written using very technical language, and it may be better suited for parents and professionals who have a background in applied behavior analysis (ABA), rather than as an introductory book on the topic.
• I would like more examples of how PRT can be used/applied.

Overall:
PRT strategies have a place in the vast majority of, if not all, all autism intervention plans. The focus on pivotal areas, natural environments, and incorporating the child’s interests are strategies that I use whenever possible. "Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism " is a helpful and detailed resource for learning PRT strategies. I wouldn't start or continue an ABA-based intervention program without these effective strategies.

Pivotal Response Treatment for Autism: Communication, Social, & Academic Development