Some 'technical' ABA questions - Electra, Davros, Gess et al....

[sphil]

I'm doing 5 step error correction with DS2 when we're doing DTT. So if he makes a mistake, I give him a full prompt, then repeat with no prompt, then put in two distractor trials, then repeat the trial.

What happens if he never does it unprompted, either on the second or the fifth step? Do I just go on to something else and mark it unmastered? Or do I repeat the whole thing until he gets it?

Secondly, is it usual for children to suddenly be unable to do something that they have been able to do perfectly well? DS2 had got really good at giving me named pieces from inset puzzles. This week he doesn't seem to be able to do it at all. Eg. I say 'give me monkey' and he picks up pieces randomly and shoves them at me. But if I hold the piece up and say 'what's this?' he says 'monkey'. Then I put it back, say 'give me monkey' and he starts the random choosing again.

All advice welcome - will also post on Growing Minds forum, but you lot are quicker at replying!

[gess]

I was watching some fab video of a boy doing this today with his tutor-his tutor is excellent and does the corrections really well. I'll ask his mum's permission to send it to you.

As for the second question- is he just bored? Ds1 does this and usually its a sign that he's had enough of that particular task. If I leave it and go back to it a few weeks later he'll do it correctly again.

[sphil]

Oh yes please Gess - I'm so much better if I can watch other people doing stuff. Did Steven send you that link to fast trial work - the one with Vincent? I found that very helpful, though agree with his comments about it being a bit 'mechanical'.

I think DS2 might be bored - his body language certainly suggests this at times! Has been a bit off generally for last two days - pale and tired - so that might be contributing.

[gess]

I've emailed her to ask permission.....

I didn';t get the video. Can you forward it?

[sphil]

Yes of course .

[sphil]

Hi Electra
Compliance is definitely becoming an issue with DS2. It's funny - he used to be completely non-compliant when put under any kind of 'cognitive pressure'. This has improved hugely since we started doing the programme. Now, six months in, he's having periods of non-compliance again, though it's only for some trials. I wonder if the novelty is wearing off?

You're right about reinforcement too - it's hard to find enough variety.

GM have advised us not to use 'no no prompt' but simply to start the trial over again with a full prompt - which I guess is EL?

Our therapist has also suggested we start fast trial work to help DS2 shift between tasks. I've only been doing it for a couple of weeks but he does seem to enjoy it more. I reinforce less in this type of work though - tend to wait until the end of the session (about 3 mins) and give him a biscuit, though I reinforce socially throughout. Might try to fiddle with this a bit.

Dh did his first ever DTT with DS2 today and he was much better, so maybe he's just bored with me! Dh was excellent - was really proud of him. But of course, I must have taught him well .

[sphil]

I do this, but not in a planned and formal way at all - ie, everything he wants is out of reach and he has to ask for it. He wouldn't get near 100 an hour though - not even in a day I don't think - so I probably need to plan opportunities in a more structured way.

Is this NET? And if so, can you recommend something I can read about it?

Thanks
S x

[sphil]

Sorry, another question - where can I buy a clicker?

[sphil]

I'd love to see the notes from the Carbone course - thanks. I did a mand count for GM when we started in April and DS2 was doing about 50 a day, so we've got a way to go too! I must do another count though, as he is requesting much more frequently - today when I was on the phone to a prospective tutor I got -'bikkit...cracker...nana...ByeSam (Fireman Sam)...Ro an' Jim...' with greater insistence and ever increasing volume!