COMPARING TECHNIQUES: FLOORTIME VS. DISCRETE TRIAL

Floortime: The philosophy of Floortime (DIR) is a developmental, relationship based model to help meet the child's developmental level and strengthen underlying elements that impede development. Greenspan, a psychiatrist, observed that persons with Autism lacked theory of mind and they would not understand that until they could master their own emotions and perspectives. The curriculum focuses on how to learn to relate intimately to others with warmth and meaningful communication with words or gestures, and also to think with abstract reasoning. There are six emotional milestones that need to be mastered in a sequential order: attachment and self-regulation, two -way communication, complex two-way communication, shared meaning and symbolic play and emotional thinking. It uses 6-10 uninterrupted 20-30 minute sessions throughout the child's day. The goals are to encourage attention and intimacy, promote two-way communication, encourage the expression and use of feelings and ideas, and to increase logical thought. In Floortime the adult follows the child's lead building and expanding on his/her interests. Greenspan talks about opening and closing communication circles and working to increase the number of effective circles.

Applied Behavior Analysis is a science which involves th application of basic behavioral practices and the use of systematic data tracking to evaluate the efficacy of the applications used to reach a desired outcome. Discrete Trial Teaching is a teaching methodology, but not the only instructional method under Applied Behavior Analysis and should not be used synonymously with it. Other methodologies include errorless teaching, pivotal response training, verbal behavior, fluency/precision teaching, and incidential teaching methods. The goal of a DTT session is to teach the child how to learn. There are sequenced curriculums in categories such as of attending skills, initiation skills, receptive language, expressive language, abstract language, pre-academic skills, self-help skills, social skills and school readiness. DTT uses the principles antecedents, behaviors, and consequences. It focuses on breaking the instruction down into small units, and each trial lasting 5-20 seconds, which provides many opportunities to practice per session. It uses teaching principles and techniques such as stimulus control, prompting hierarchies, shaping, fading, reinforcement, maintenance, and generalization. Sessions are generally highly structured, environments which may at times provide unnatural consequences paired with social praise. Teaching is usually directed by the teacher. In ABA, however, techniques can be done in natural settings with natural reinforcers. Lovaas recommended discrete trial sessions interspersed wtih play breaks, with breaks being as educational as possible. Teaching incidentally, in the natural environment, promotes generalization and use of acquired skills.

Darien Libraries "Stories on the Spectrum"

Darien's Library at it's storytime program has included a new program designed for children between 3 to 8 who are on the autistic spectrum. The idea is to provide a space and time for children with the diagnosis of ASD to interact in a welcoming social environment, hear some stories, sing some songs, be comfortable exploring a new space, and allow families to network and chat.
The program begins Saturday, May 30th at 11am. It is available for all family members, siblings, etc. If interested call Kiera Parrott 669-5243 or email her at kparrott@darienlibrary.org.

WESTPORT LIBRARY children's time

The Westport Library (westportlibrary.org)has a calendar of summer children's programs. Go to the website and kids-parents-special needs. The Tuesday Storytime (10:30-11:00) at Longshore Country Club, Wednesday Storytime on the Green (11:00-11:30), or Friday Fun Films 11:00-11:30 are some options. Go to their website or call 291-4810 for the calendar or more information.
Have fun.

Candice volunteered at STAR Rubino Center's Open House to do a storytime with the children.

OPEN HOUSE

Come Connect and Reconnect

STAR Rubino Family Center is hosting an Open House on Sunday, May 17, 2009,
from 2p.m. - 4 p.m. Join us at our new facility at 120 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT.

*Meet the staff

*Learn about our
Birth to Three Program
Private Pay Services
Individual and Group Therapy Sessions for children 3-5

*Fun for all:
Children's Music Group 2:00-2:30
Story Time 2:30-3:00
Story time 3:00-3:30

*Refreshments and Face Painting

*Door Prizes for the children