Comments for Dr. Chris' Autism Journal http://drchris.teachtown.com Thoughts, commentary, and analysis on computer-assisted instruction and Autism Spectrum Disorders Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:40:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 Comment on ABA Conference - Memorial Day Weekend, 2007 by Huayu Blackburn http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/05/21/aba-conference-memorial-day-weekend-2007/#comment-34306 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:29:21 +0000 http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/05/21/aba-conference-memorial-day-weekend-2007/#comment-34306 Hi, My name is Huayu(Collette) My daughter Aaliyah is 6 years old, she has Autism. No improvement with her speech at school for 2 and half years now, but just one month, that she is improving at home. I want to know where can I get her ABA evaluation. I want to replace her to better program. Sincerely Collette Hi,
My name is Huayu(Collette)
My daughter Aaliyah is 6 years old, she has Autism. No improvement with her speech at school for 2 and half years now, but just one month, that she is improving at home. I want to know where can I get her ABA evaluation. I want to replace her to better program.
Sincerely
Collette

]]> Comment on Autism and Online Role Playing Games by Dick Dalton http://drchris.teachtown.com/2008/04/01/autism-and-online-role-playing-games/#comment-32874 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:37:24 +0000 http://drchris.teachtown.com/2008/04/01/autism-and-online-role-playing-games/#comment-32874 I've played Sims and I believe it has some educational value as far as relationship education, but of course there's no research on that. The power of second life is in the social networking that takes place within different communities. It's the open nature of it that makes it so powerful and appealing, as there are millions of other people to interact with. Yeah, there are griefers which can spoil the party but that occurs in real life, too. At least in the virtual world they can work together on dealing with miscreants and try out different methods in different virtual settings. Making it more restrictive would make it safer but would limit the social opportunities, which I think makes the price too steep. I agree, branding it as an intervention for autism is going a bit far. It can be a game and an educational tool for learning new skills, but it is mostly 3D social networking. D. I’ve played Sims and I believe it has some educational value as far as relationship education, but of course there’s no research on that.

The power of second life is in the social networking that takes place within different communities. It’s the open nature of it that makes it so powerful and appealing, as there are millions of other people to interact with. Yeah, there are griefers which can spoil the party but that occurs in real life, too. At least in the virtual world they can work together on dealing with miscreants and try out different methods in different virtual settings. Making it more restrictive would make it safer but would limit the social opportunities, which I think makes the price too steep.

I agree, branding it as an intervention for autism is going a bit far. It can be a game and an educational tool for learning new skills, but it is mostly 3D social networking.

D.

]]> Comment on Social Stories Research by Gordon http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/03/22/social-stories-research/#comment-32780 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 01:24:29 +0000 http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/03/22/social-stories-research/#comment-32780 Hi Dr Chris, I also agree that it is so important to make the stories motivating for kids to want to model and read over and over - that's why we created "LiveAStory.com". This website allows parents and professionals to personalize these stories (pre-written by a licensed psychologist). They can upload pictures, add their child's name, family members and interests -- then they can either download a printable pdf, or have a beautiful paper or hard bound book shipped to them. What works best is when the child engages in the story design process. They not only should make story suggestions, but this is a perfect opportunity for the child to model the desired behaviors. Please have a look and let me know what you think. We're eager to know how to improve. Thanks, Gordon Hi Dr Chris,

I also agree that it is so important to make the stories motivating for kids to want to model and read over and over - that’s why we created “LiveAStory.com”.

This website allows parents and professionals to personalize these stories (pre-written by a licensed psychologist). They can upload pictures, add their child’s name, family members and interests — then they can either download a printable pdf, or have a beautiful paper or hard bound book shipped to them.

What works best is when the child engages in the story design process. They not only should make story suggestions, but this is a perfect opportunity for the child to model the desired behaviors.

Please have a look and let me know what you think. We’re eager to know how to improve.

Thanks,
Gordon

]]> Comment on Interview with Krista Schultz, Registered Psychologist and Autism Expert by Paige Bond http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/06/25/interview-with-krista-schultz-registered-psychologist-and-autism-expert/#comment-31863 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:13:09 +0000 http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/06/25/interview-with-krista-schultz-registered-psychologist-and-autism-expert/#comment-31863 Hello, My name is Paige Bond, and I am an undergrad PSychology Major at Texas Tech University. I am conducting a Podcast on Autism for the University Psychology PodCast series. I was wondering if you would like to contribute your knowledge, experience, or any other information to the PodCast. I found your blog and i think your input would be highly informative and valuable to the PodCast. Let me know if you are interested and I can follow up with a more detailed correspondence. Thank you for your consideration, Paige Bond, Psychology Major Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas Hello,
My name is Paige Bond, and I am an undergrad PSychology Major at Texas Tech University. I am conducting a Podcast on Autism for the University Psychology PodCast series.

I was wondering if you would like to contribute your knowledge, experience, or any other information to the PodCast. I found your blog and i think your input would be highly informative and valuable to the PodCast.

Let me know if you are interested and I can follow up with a more detailed correspondence.

Thank you for your consideration,
Paige Bond, Psychology Major
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

]]> Comment on Dr. Laurie Stephens from HELP Group Joins TeachTown Science Board by Sensbachtal http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/04/11/dr-laurie-stephens-from-help-group-joins-teachtown-science-board/#comment-25941 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 01:10:26 +0000 http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/04/11/dr-laurie-stephens-from-help-group-joins-teachtown-science-board/#comment-25941 Just wanted to say Hello to everyone. Much to read and learn here, I'm sure I will enjoy ! Just wanted to say Hello to everyone.
Much to read and learn here, I’m sure I will enjoy !

]]> Comment on Parents Helping Parents by Alberto Pedrilios http://drchris.teachtown.com/2006/05/17/parents-helping-parents/#comment-24215 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:19:37 +0000 http://drchris.teachtown.com/2006/05/17/parents-helping-parents/#comment-24215 Your site is very very cool !! I love it :) Respect ! Your site is very very cool !! I love it :) Respect !

]]> Comment on Social Stories Research by Carol Gray http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/03/22/social-stories-research/#comment-24064 Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:01:18 +0000 http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/03/22/social-stories-research/#comment-24064 Hi Dr. Chris: I enjoyed seeing your article. I wondered, though, what you are referring to when you use the term 'social stories'. I have clearly defined the term, underscoring that the 10 defining criteria are central to the emotional and social safety of the approach, and critical to our ability to learn from - and compare - research efforts. If we do not use the same criteria to determine what is, and is not, a Social StoryTM, how can we possibly measure their efficacy or add detail to our knowledge? In all Social StoryTM workshops, I stress that to know if someone 'knows what a Social StoryTM is' watch for a few clues: The capitalization of the word Social StoryTM followed by the TM symbol. It is the only way we can protect the quality of the approach, and define genuine Social Stories apart from the variety of interpretations of them in the field of ASD. The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding is the official "home" of Social StoriesTM and an excellent place to start learning about the approach. Thanks, Dr. Chris, for your work and website. All the best - Carol Gray Hi Dr. Chris: I enjoyed seeing your article. I wondered, though, what you are referring to when you use the term ’social stories’. I have clearly defined the term, underscoring that the 10 defining criteria are central to the emotional and social safety of the approach, and critical to our ability to learn from - and compare - research efforts. If we do not use the same criteria to determine what is, and is not, a Social StoryTM, how can we possibly measure their efficacy or add detail to our knowledge? In all Social StoryTM workshops, I stress that to know if someone ‘knows what a Social StoryTM is’ watch for a few clues: The capitalization of the word Social StoryTM followed by the TM symbol. It is the only way we can protect the quality of the approach, and define genuine Social Stories apart from the variety of interpretations of them in the field of ASD. The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding is the official “home” of Social StoriesTM and an excellent place to start learning about the approach. Thanks, Dr. Chris, for your work and website. All the best - Carol Gray

]]> Comment on KEEPING A SCHEDULE by Daniel Tague http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/09/04/keeping-a-schedule/#comment-22913 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 06:00:04 +0000 http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/09/04/keeping-a-schedule/#comment-22913 Visual schedules are an amazing tool. I often tell my therapists to try using a picture schedule for therapy sessions when a child's behavior is impeding therapy. I have also posted an educational article about using picture schedules within a music therapy session: http://musicmakessense.blogspot.com/2007/11/schoolhouse-strategy-picture-schedules.html Thank you for your wonderful site on autism! Visual schedules are an amazing tool. I often tell my therapists to try using a picture schedule for therapy sessions when a child’s behavior is impeding therapy. I have also posted an educational article about using picture schedules within a music therapy session: http://musicmakessense.blogspot.com/2007/11/schoolhouse-strategy-picture-schedules.html
Thank you for your wonderful site on autism!

]]> Comment on Toronto District School Board Finds Innovative Tool for Teaching Children with Autism using ABA Principles by Elissa http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/11/12/toronto-district-school-board-finds-innovative-tool-for-teaching-children-with-autism-using-aba-principles/#comment-22513 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:25:35 +0000 http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/11/12/toronto-district-school-board-finds-innovative-tool-for-teaching-children-with-autism-using-aba-principles/#comment-22513 It's great to see that new educational tools are being developed that will benefit kids with autism. It’s great to see that new educational tools are being developed that will benefit kids with autism.

]]> Comment on A Great New Book - Autism Heroes! by Elissa http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/10/29/a-great-new-book-autism-heroes/#comment-22396 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:42:30 +0000 http://drchris.teachtown.com/2007/10/29/a-great-new-book-autism-heroes/#comment-22396 This sounds like a fabulous book! This sounds like a fabulous book!

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