To demonstrate an ability to provide specific teaching strategies based on Discrete Trial Training and the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis.

This assignment relates to the following Course Learning Requirements:

2. Develop treatment plans within ABA/IBI context that are developmentally appropriate and functional.
3. Recommend and/or modify intervention strategies and adapt the environment as needed to increase learning success and reduce problem behaviour.

Objective of this Assignment:
To demonstrate an ability to provide specific teaching strategies based on Discrete Trial Training and the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis.
Instructions:
Please read the following scenario:
It has been some time since Sally met with Joseph’s mother and re-assured her about IBI. She did a great job with that and her experience has been used for further training purposes. The Senior Therapist would like her to continue her professional development with a new task. The Senior Therapist wants Sally to consult to another learning centre in regard to some challenges they are having.

ABC Learning Centre is an integrated preschool with 23 learners, 8 of whom are diagnosed with an ASD, and 12 staff. The preschool is located in an old Victorian house with multiple rooms and individual work spaces. The space is quite “busy”, with lots of materials scattered in the rooms and lots of pictures and paintings on the walls.

Learners attend the preschool for the full day and their day is comprised of the following activities: free play, circle time, snack, craft, “body breaks” (i.e. gross motor activities), lunch, story time, nap time, and music.

The preschool staff reports that they have not been able to successfully integrate the learners with ASD into their programming because “most of the kids just don’t have the skills to participate”. More specifically, the staff states that the learners do not tend to follow instructions, tantrum when asked to sit for an extended period of time (i.e. during circle), have difficulty eating their lunches because they do not like the food, and are unable to do many of the crafts.

The staff at ABC Learning Centre is dedicated, receptive to feedback and willing to implement any strategies to help these learners, but they have little understanding of ABA or IBI.

Answer the following questions based on the above scenario:

1. Write a 3-5 page report summarizing your specific recommendations to the preschool and their work with learners with autism. Feel free to use specific examples, charts, pictures and anything else that you feel may help the preschool staff understand your recommendations and subsequently, be able to implement the strategies.

2. Include the following information, while remembering to be specific in your recommendations:

a. Provide a brief explanation of DTT and ABA in a way that is easy for the preschool staff to understand;

b. Discuss the general format of the intervention for learners with autism;

c. Discuss setting, materials, training and supervision;

d. How many hours of intervention would you recommend for each learner with ASD?

e. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the intervention with learners with ASD;

f. What types of behaviours and/or skills will be targeted with intervention with a DTT approach to teaching learners with autism?

Rubric (20%):
Criteria/Level Does not meet Requirements Meets Requirements Exceeds Requirements Grade
Grading Grade Range < 50% Grade Range 50-79% Grade Range 80%-100% Provide a brief explanation of DTT and ABA Did not include all relevant information Demonstrated a superior understanding of the application of DTT and the principles of ABA. /3 Discuss the general format of the intervention for learners with autism Not appropriate to learners. Inaccurate information. Included all pertinent and relevant information /2 Discuss setting, materials, training and supervision Did not include all relevant information. Variables in the setting were not accounted for. Included all pertinent and relevant information. Accounted for staff and environmental variables that would have an impact on intervention. /3 How many hours of intervention would you recommend for each learner with ASD? Recommendations were unrealistic and/or did not adequately address the current problems (i.e. arbitrary and not consistent with the literature). Accurate and appropriate recommendations (i.e. consistent with the literature). /1 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the intervention with learners with ASD Did not include all relevant information. Included all pertinent and relevant information. /4 What types of behaviours and/or skills will be targeted with intervention with a DTT approach to teaching learners with autism? Did not include all relevant information. Included all pertinent and relevant information. /2 Quality of writing- Spelling and Grammar Grammar errors are evident. Over-use of jargon. Lacked depth and breadth. Evidence of grammar errors. Not well organized. Free of grammar errors. Able to communicate recommendations clearly. Well organized. /5