Observing a Child with Autism

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Observing a Child with Autism Cody is an eight-year-old boy diagnosed with autism. Cody tends to perseverant on things that are dangerous. He often verbalizes “glass is dangerous, it cuts your eye, call 211, go to the hospital.” Cody also tends to stare off into space and is socially inappropriate. Cody had been placed in severely handicapped classrooms that consisted of children with severe cognitive and physical disabilities. Cody was provided with a one to one aide through BCRC. Currently, Cody is in a new program designed for children with autism. The student to teacher ratio is two to one. The stimulation in the classroom has been reduced to a minimum to provide an appropriate learning environment. Cody is not able to identify letters or numbers. It has been reported that Cody had severe behavior problems that became the focus of his educational goals rather than academics. Cody appears to have good auditory processing skills and demonstrates this through his ability to attend to stories that are read to him. He is able to ask questions about the story and answer comprehension questions. His visual processing skills seem to be low; he is not able to trace lines or discriminate shapes. Cody needs to be taught according to his learning modalities. I believe that Cody should focus on academics, as his behavior in this new environment seems to be under control. Selection of Skills Rationale Cody has demonstrated that he is able to learn. He has picked up many science concepts from listening to stories. According to the psychologist his IQ has been identified in the low average range. Books appear to be natural reinforces for Cody. He would enjoy being able to read to himself. It is f... ... middle of paper ... ...ly states the SD, student response, prompt level, and correction strategy, which helps, maintains consistency throughout the trials. Generalization The skill initially was taught in a discrete trial method. I drilled Cody at a table. The skill was then brought to circle. Different staff teaches during circle time. This way Cody was required to produce the skill for different people. The materials varied. Plastic letters were initially used during the trials; letter cards were used during the circle time. The setting varied as well. Circle time occurred in a different area of the room from the trial. Cody also produced the skill while he was being read to. During a story, the staff would point to a letter a make the sign and the sound with Cody. I requested that Cody practice the skill at home however, I am not sure that his parents followed through.

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