Spectrum Intervention Group is happy to be involved in Project PACE, a community initiative dedicated to educating and training parents in proper ABA teaching techniques and strategies to increase learner communication.
As a part of this initiative, we offer parent training at our center on Saturday mornings, in a playgroup format. What an incredible learning experience for both parents and, us, as trainers. When it comes to parent training, it is challenging to know what each parent needs, what their history is with their child and what preconceptions they might have about learning. I’m sure it is not easy having every interaction watched by another person. As uncomfortable as this might be at first, the benefits can be enormous! Imagine the moment you ‘hook’ in your little one and they check-in with you as you tickle them.
One of the most valuable lessons that we have learned, as parent trainers, is the importance of fun. When we push our agenda, we lose sight of the importance of motivation and a paired relationship with our learners. If you focus on having fun first, everything else will follow. It is only natural that we want to ask questions and present demands. Don’t worry, this will come easily! It is the absence of questions that is the most difficult part for parents and new therapists in the field.
Regardless of your child’s language ability, try the following:
1. Set up a new, exciting activity that involves you delivering items to your child. Here is an example:
Fill up a bunch of water balloons (at least 10!), then go outside in your backyard.
2. Next, show your child what you can do with the activity (i.e. show them how to throw the balloons (throw it up and watch it break!)
3. Each time you present the item, don’t ask them a question. Instead, make a statement about the activity (this is fun! My favourite colour is green. Wow, look at that water explode!)
4. Try setting up 1-2 activities each evening. This is a great routine to establish for the whole family and builds on your little one’s motivation.
Other ideas to try:
Blowing bubbles – try doing big bubbles! (in a shallow pan, mix water, dish detergent and corn syrup. Lots of dish detergent and corn syrup is needed! For the bubble wand, bend a wire coat hanger so that it is circle shaped. Take a pipecleaner and wrap it around the wire circle. This gives the soap something to cling to. Dip the circle wire into the solution and slowly lift up and move your arm….voila! Big bubbles!)
Yucky Soup – Have a big empty cooking pot. Have 4-5 miscellaneous foods, liquids or anything else you can thing of that can go in. Label each one (“We have 1. Water, 2. Mustard, 3. Oats, 4. Ketchup, 5. Sparkles”)
Your child can ask for each one. If they are struggling, hold up 2 items and see which one they reach for. Then, you can help them by verbally prompting the word. When they ask, give them a little bit to pour into the pot. Keep adding ‘stuff’ unless you get yucky soup!)
Volcanoes – Using a muffin tin, place a small Dixie cup in each compartment. Place one teaspoon of baking soda in each cup. Have 3-4 glasses (or water-bottles) filled with vinegar. Colour each one with food colouring. Your child can have his own cup and he/she can ask for different colours (green, red, blue…). When they ask, pour a little of the coloured vinegar into their cup. They can then pour it into the Dixie cup and watch the volcano overflow!