Alexandria Public Schools November 4, 2015
Tools for improving execu ve func ons and helping children with au sm become more flexible and resilient
Lauren Kenworthy, PhD I receive royal es for Associate Professors, Pediatrics, GW Medical School sale of Unstuck Director, Center for Au sm Spectrum Disorders Children’s Na onal Medical Center manuals and BRIEF forms. [email protected] GOAL: Increase your understanding of executive functions and how to enhance them PLAN 1. The problem: Poor outcome 2. Define Executive Functions (EF) & why they matter for outcomes 3. Understand & accommodate EF deficits: a. Flexibility b. Organization/Integration 4. Teach flexibility, organization & planning skills
Adult Outcome in HFASD • 46% of children with ASD have IQ in the average range • Despite average intelligence, adult outcome remains poor (Henninger & Taylor, 2012; Howlin et al., 2004; Howlin & Moss, 2012; Shattuck et al., 2012; Roux et al., 2013). – Underemployed, underpaid, socially excluded, – Poor adaptive skills, dependent on parents (88%) – Even when compared to other developmental disabilities
• Over 25% of the young adults without ID have no daytime activities of any kind (Taylor & Mailick Seltzer, 2010) Debbie Fein: What Leads to Optimal Outcome ? • A few children w/ASD can reach typical levels of social functioning with no residual symptoms • Earlier intervention and more ABA (Orinstein et al, JDev Behav Pediatr, 2014)
% receiving ABA GOAL: Increase your understanding of executive functions and how to enhance them PLAN 1. The problem: Poor outcome ✔ 2. Define Executive Functions (EF) & why they matter for outcomes 3. Understand & accommodate EF deficits: a. Flexibility b. Organization/Integration 4. Teach flexibility, organization & planning skills
What is Executive Function?
Ini ate Plan & Working Memory Organize/Integrate Monitor
Flexibility Inhibit Emo onal Control Self-Monitor
Execu ve Dysfunc on (Teuber, 1964): “The curious dissocia on between knowing & doing”
EF problems in ASD relate to:
• Learning
• Adap ve daily living skills (Lopata et al, 2012, Gilo y et al, 2002)
• Family stress (Lounds, 2007)
• Adult outcomes (Hume et al, 2009) EF relates to autism sx and supports social learning • Joint attention: “early developing self-organizing facility” (Mundy, 2003) • Prolonged visual fixation in infants later dx’d with ASD, coincides with emergence of ASD behaviors (Zwaigenbaum et al, 2005) • EF predicts change in ToM (independent of age, language, NVIQ) (Pellicano, 2010) • Indirect “trickle-down” effect of EF training on TOM performance (Fisher and Happé 2005) and social skills (Kenworthy & Anthony et al, 2014)
Looks Like Won’t… Could be Can’t
Difficulty shi ing Opposi onal, Stubborn Avoiding overload Difficulty shi ing Can do it if he wants to Lack of salience Impaired social cogni on Self Centered Poor self monitoring Won’t put good ideas on Poor fine motor paper Disorganiza on Poor self monitoring Sloppy, erra c Overloaded Overloaded Won’t control outbursts Disinhibi on Doesn’t care what others Impaired social cogni on think Poor self monitoring GOAL: Increase your understanding of executive functions and how to enhance them PLAN 1. The problem: Poor outcome ✔ 2. Define Executive Functions (EF) & why they ✔ matter for outcomes 3. Understand & accommodate EF deficits: a. Flexibility b. Organization/Integration 4. Teach flexibility, organization & planning skills
Unstuck Team Ivymount Model Asperger Program/Take2 Summer Camp • Katie Alexander • Lynn Cannon • Monica Werner Children’s National Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders • Laura Anthony • Lauren Kenworthy • John Strang • Cara Pugliese Copyright 2011, 2014 Brookes
Unstuck Philosophy: Accommodate, then Remediate
(continued from front flap) Praise for $24.00 “An essential guidebook that will help all the creative, quirky, geeky, and Every person, Aspergian or not, has something be diff unique to offer the world, and every person has the be different wonderfully different kids to become successful in life.” —TEMPLE GRANDIN “I believe those of us with Asperger’s are here capacity to create strong, loving bonds with their for a reason, and we have much to offer. This “For anyone who has difficulty fitting in, this book is fantastic.” friends and family. Be Different will help readers book will help you bring out those gifts.” and those they love find their path to success. —TEMPLE GRANDIN, author of Thinking in Pictures
Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian Free-Range a of Adventures n his bestselling memoir, Look Me in the Eye, JOHN ELDER ROBISON is “In a love poem to his wife, Pedro Salinas, the Spanish poet, wrote, John Elder Robison described growing up an author and frequent lecturer ‘Glory to the differences / between you and me.’ John Robison teaches us to with Asperger’s syndrome at a time when the about his life with Asperger’s. I celebrate differences like Salinas did, but also offers clear insight and valuable diagnosis didn’t exist. He was intelligent but so- He blogs for Psychology Today advice on how to cope with the challenges that being different can create. cially isolated; his talents won him jobs with toy and is an adjunct faculty mem- makers and rock bands but did little to endear him ber at Elms College in Chicopee, This book transcends the specific case of Asperger’s syndrome and be different to authority figures and classmates, who were put Massachusetts. John serves on is a lesson in humanity and the human condition.”
e off by his inclination to blurt out non sequiturs committees and review boards —ALVARO PASCUAL-LEONE, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School Neural and avoid eye contact. for the Centers for Disease Control and the National and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center By the time he was diagnosed at age forty, John Institutes of Health. He is currently involved in au- rent had already developed a myriad of coping strategies tism research and therapy programs at Harvard’s “Anyone with Asperger’s, if not everyone else, will derive knowledge and that helped him achieve a seemingly normal, even Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachu- pleasure from the wonderful stories told in John Elder Robison’s newest book, highly successful, life. In Be Different, Robison shares setts General Hospital. John also sits on the science a new batch of endearing stories about his child- and treatment boards of Autism Speaks. His previous Be Different. Clearly, John is one of our community’s leading voices.” hood, adolescence, and young adult years, giving book, Look Me in the Eye, was a NewDiversity York Times best- —MICHAEL JOHN CARLEY, author of Asperger’s from the Inside Out Adventures of a the reader a rare window into the Aspergian mind. seller and has been translated into ten languages. He and executive director of GRASP and ASTEP In each story, he offers practical advice—for Asper- lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. gians and indeed for anyone who feels “different”— Copyright © 2011 by Crown Archetype Copyright © 2011 by Crown Free-Range Aspergian “Be Different is a fascinating and unique guide for young people on how to improve the weak communication and Visit him at www.johnrobison.com. who may be struggling with autism and feel ‘out of sync’ with the social skills that keep so many people from taking
Also available as an eBook world around them. John shares personal insights about growing up, full advantage of their often remarkable gifts. and on audio from Randomis a civil House feeling apart from his peers, and learning to modify his socializing skills With his trademark honesty and unapologetic eccentricity, Robison addresses questions like: and harness his gifts to discover his path to a successful life.” • How to read others and follow their behaviors —MARK ROITHMAYR, president of Autism Speaks WITH PRACTICAL ADVICE when in uncertain social situations for Aspergians, Misfits, Families & Teachers • Why manners matter Jacket design: WHITNEY G. COOKMAN • How to harness your powers of concentration to Jacket photograph: COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR master difficult skills Author photograph: AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS JOHN • How to deal with bullies right… ELDER • When to make an effort to fit in, and when to U.S. $24.00 ROBISON PSYCHOLOGY—AUTISM/FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS John Elder Robison embrace eccentricity Crown Archetype I SBN 978-0-307-88481-7 • How to identify special gifts and use them to New York 52400 3/11 author of the New York Times bestselling LOOK ME IN THE EYE your advantage www.crownpublishing.com Printed in the U.S.A. 9 780307 884817 (continued on back flap)
Overwhelmed people can’t learn • Predictability and structure • Avoid Overload • Make Big Picture Explicit • Can’t vs Won’t • Talk Less, Write More • Keep it Posi ve
What is Executive Function?
Ini ate Plan & Working Memory Organize/Integrate Monitor
Inhibit Flexibility Self-Monitor Emo onal Control Most Common EF Challenges in ASD
Flexibility – Transitioning from one activity to another – Changes in routine – Violations of expectations – Seeing more than one way of doing things – Easy to get stuck (Rumsey, 1985; Hill, 2004, Kenworthy et al, 2008)
“Asperger’s is like a vise on your brain. And each unexpected event is like another turn on the vise…it just keeps building un l you feel like you’re going to explode. Some mes when you explode, it comes out the wrong way.” - A young student with ASD What does cognitive inflexibility look like in school and at home?
Can’t or Won’t? • Accept feedback • Accept different opinions, ideas • Handle frustration • Start something they don’t want to do • Stop meltdowns • Stop doing something even they have been told to stop • Avoid shutting down when something is challenging • Stop correcting people • Let other kids take the lead when playing Inflexibility Risks and Accommodations Difficulty with violations of expectations Ø Schedules, Routines, Predict change, Flexible Adult Rigid interpretations of rules Ø Respect need for clear, explicit expectations, Flexible Adult Overwhelming intense feelings Ø Breaks, Downtime, Safe Address, Flexible Adult Problems Negotiating Ø Compromise, Explicit Etiquette Rules, Flexible Adult Repetitive Behaviors/Intense Interests Ø Decide where they can/can’t happen, agree on a sign
Accommodations: Inflexibility
Inflexibility is adaptive. It limits unexpected, overloading events.
§ Overload is dangerous: It leads to anxiety, impulsivity, inappropriate behavior § Overload creates profound risk in context of social isolation, teasing and bullying § In a mine field it is wise to use caution
Respect § Routines that don’t interfere § Deep datasets § Expertise in areas of interest § Persistence § Reliability
Unstuck Philosophy: Accommodate, then Remediate
(continued from front flap) Praise for $24.00 “An essential guidebook that will help all the creative, quirky, geeky, and Every person, Aspergian or not, has something be diff unique to offer the world, and every person has the be different wonderfully different kids to become successful in life.” —TEMPLE GRANDIN “I believe those of us with Asperger’s are here capacity to create strong, loving bonds with their for a reason, and we have much to offer. This “For anyone who has difficulty fitting in, this book is fantastic.” friends and family. Be Different will help readers book will help you bring out those gifts.” and those they love find their path to success. —TEMPLE GRANDIN, author of Thinking in Pictures
Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian Free-Range a of Adventures n his bestselling memoir, Look Me in the Eye, JOHN ELDER ROBISON is “In a love poem to his wife, Pedro Salinas, the Spanish poet, wrote, John Elder Robison described growing up an author and frequent lecturer ‘Glory to the differences / between you and me.’ John Robison teaches us to with Asperger’s syndrome at a time when the about his life with Asperger’s. I celebrate differences like Salinas did, but also offers clear insight and valuable diagnosis didn’t exist. He was intelligent but so- He blogs for Psychology Today advice on how to cope with the challenges that being different can create. cially isolated; his talents won him jobs with toy and is an adjunct faculty mem- makers and rock bands but did little to endear him ber at Elms College in Chicopee, This book transcends the specific case of Asperger’s syndrome and be different to authority figures and classmates, who were put Massachusetts. John serves on is a lesson in humanity and the human condition.”
e off by his inclination to blurt out non sequiturs committees and review boards —ALVARO PASCUAL-LEONE, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School Neural and avoid eye contact. for the Centers for Disease Control and the National and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center By the time he was diagnosed at age forty, John Institutes of Health. He is currently involved in au- rent had already developed a myriad of coping strategies tism research and therapy programs at Harvard’s “Anyone with Asperger’s, if not everyone else, will derive knowledge and that helped him achieve a seemingly normal, even Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachu- pleasure from the wonderful stories told in John Elder Robison’s newest book, highly successful, life. In Be Different, Robison shares setts General Hospital. John also sits on the science a new batch of endearing stories about his child- and treatment boards of Autism Speaks. His previous Be Different. Clearly, John is one of our community’s leading voices.” hood, adolescence, and young adult years, giving book, Look Me in the Eye, was a NewDiversity York Times best- —MICHAEL JOHN CARLEY, author of Asperger’s from the Inside Out Adventures of a the reader a rare window into the Aspergian mind. seller and has been translated into ten languages. He and executive director of GRASP and ASTEP In each story, he offers practical advice—for Asper- lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. gians and indeed for anyone who feels “different”— Copyright © 2011 by Crown Archetype Copyright © 2011 by Crown Free-Range Aspergian “Be Different is a fascinating and unique guide for young people on how to improve the weak communication and Visit him at www.johnrobison.com. who may be struggling with autism and feel ‘out of sync’ with the social skills that keep so many people from taking
Also available as an eBook world around them. John shares personal insights about growing up, full advantage of their often remarkable gifts. and on audio from Randomis a civil House feeling apart from his peers, and learning to modify his socializing skills With his trademark honesty and unapologetic eccentricity, Robison addresses questions like: and harness his gifts to discover his path to a successful life.” • How to read others and follow their behaviors —MARK ROITHMAYR, president of Autism Speaks WITH PRACTICAL ADVICE when in uncertain social situations for Aspergians, Misfits, Families & Teachers • Why manners matter Jacket design: WHITNEY G. COOKMAN • How to harness your powers of concentration to Jacket photograph: COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR master difficult skills Author photograph: AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS JOHN • How to deal with bullies right… ELDER • When to make an effort to fit in, and when to U.S. $24.00 ROBISON PSYCHOLOGY—AUTISM/FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS John Elder Robison embrace eccentricity Crown Archetype I SBN 978-0-307-88481-7 • How to identify special gifts and use them to New York 52400 3/11 author of the New York Times bestselling LOOK ME IN THE EYE your advantage www.crownpublishing.com Printed in the U.S.A. 9 780307 884817 (continued on back flap)
Overwhelmed people can’t learn Ø Predictability and structure
What is Executive Function?
Ini ate Plan & Working Memory Organize/Integrate Monitor
Inhibit Flexibility Self-Monitor Emo onal Control
Most Common EF Challenges in ASD
Flexibility Planning/Organization – Transitioning from one – Knowing how to activity to another accomplish a goal – Changes in routine – Prioritizing – Violations of expectations – Identifying main idea – Seeing more than one and organizing way of doing things thinking – Easy to get stuck – Can’t see the forest (Rumsey, 1985; Hill, 2004, Kenworthy et al, 2008) for the trees (Ozonoff, 1991; Hughes, 1994; Kenworthy, 2005; Hill, 2004)
What do organization/integration deficits look like in school and at home?
Can’t, or Won’t? • Gets stuck on details • Get good ideas onto paper • Stop dominating a classroom discussion • Let go of a small mistake or inconsistency • Behave in unstructured groups • Set a goal • Link new learning to old learning • Write a well organized paragraph • Draw meaning from a reading assignment • Know what to study for on a test Missing the big picture risks
– Lack of generalization: “My daughter can peel a potato but she can’t peel a sweet potato because they are not the same thing.” – Lack of awareness that a problem exists – Difficulty knowing what is important: “Recently, my son lost his backpack on his bike ride home. To fix the problem, he called 911. Fortunately, the police officer understood. “ – Difficulty anticipating obstacles – Dealing with failure
23 Accommodations for Disorganization
• Emphasis on goals • Safe Address • Teach to strength: explicit short rules, recipes, checklists and routines. • Put new information in familiar context. • Explicitly review inferences, nuances. • Predict decline in abilities as size of group increases. • Study guides, closed format tests • Writing rubrics
Copyright 2014, Brookes Publishing Co., Inc
Break it Down
John has a book I want
Hit John, take book Ask John for a turn
Look at book, Time out- give it back, Miss TV time get TV time
Was this what Was this what I wanted? I wanted? Unstuck Philosophy: Accommodate, then Remediate
(continued from front flap) Praise for $24.00 “An essential guidebook that will help all the creative, quirky, geeky, and Every person, Aspergian or not, has something be diff unique to offer the world, and every person has the be different wonderfully different kids to become successful in life.” —TEMPLE GRANDIN “I believe those of us with Asperger’s are here capacity to create strong, loving bonds with their for a reason, and we have much to offer. This “For anyone who has difficulty fitting in, this book is fantastic.” friends and family. Be Different will help readers book will help you bring out those gifts.” and those they love find their path to success. —TEMPLE GRANDIN, author of Thinking in Pictures
Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian Free-Range a of Adventures n his bestselling memoir, Look Me in the Eye, JOHN ELDER ROBISON is “In a love poem to his wife, Pedro Salinas, the Spanish poet, wrote, John Elder Robison described growing up an author and frequent lecturer ‘Glory to the differences / between you and me.’ John Robison teaches us to with Asperger’s syndrome at a time when the about his life with Asperger’s. I celebrate differences like Salinas did, but also offers clear insight and valuable diagnosis didn’t exist. He was intelligent but so- He blogs for Psychology Today advice on how to cope with the challenges that being different can create. cially isolated; his talents won him jobs with toy and is an adjunct faculty mem- makers and rock bands but did little to endear him ber at Elms College in Chicopee, This book transcends the specific case of Asperger’s syndrome and be different to authority figures and classmates, who were put Massachusetts. John serves on is a lesson in humanity and the human condition.”
e off by his inclination to blurt out non sequiturs committees and review boards —ALVARO PASCUAL-LEONE, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School Neural and avoid eye contact. for the Centers for Disease Control and the National and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center By the time he was diagnosed at age forty, John Institutes of Health. He is currently involved in au- rent had already developed a myriad of coping strategies tism research and therapy programs at Harvard’s “Anyone with Asperger’s, if not everyone else, will derive knowledge and that helped him achieve a seemingly normal, even Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachu- pleasure from the wonderful stories told in John Elder Robison’s newest book, highly successful, life. In Be Different, Robison shares setts General Hospital. John also sits on the science a new batch of endearing stories about his child- and treatment boards of Autism Speaks. His previous Be Different. Clearly, John is one of our community’s leading voices.” hood, adolescence, and young adult years, giving book, Look Me in the Eye, was a NewDiversity York Times best- —MICHAEL JOHN CARLEY, author of Asperger’s from the Inside Out Adventures of a the reader a rare window into the Aspergian mind. seller and has been translated into ten languages. He and executive director of GRASP and ASTEP In each story, he offers practical advice—for Asper- lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. gians and indeed for anyone who feels “different”— Copyright © 2011 by Crown Archetype Copyright © 2011 by Crown Free-Range Aspergian “Be Different is a fascinating and unique guide for young people on how to improve the weak communication and Visit him at www.johnrobison.com. who may be struggling with autism and feel ‘out of sync’ with the social skills that keep so many people from taking
Also available as an eBook world around them. John shares personal insights about growing up, full advantage of their often remarkable gifts. and on audio from Randomis a civil House feeling apart from his peers, and learning to modify his socializing skills With his trademark honesty and unapologetic eccentricity, Robison addresses questions like: and harness his gifts to discover his path to a successful life.” • How to read others and follow their behaviors —MARK ROITHMAYR, president of Autism Speaks WITH PRACTICAL ADVICE when in uncertain social situations for Aspergians, Misfits, Families & Teachers • Why manners matter Jacket design: WHITNEY G. COOKMAN • How to harness your powers of concentration to Jacket photograph: COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR master difficult skills Author photograph: AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS JOHN • How to deal with bullies right… ELDER • When to make an effort to fit in, and when to U.S. $24.00 ROBISON PSYCHOLOGY—AUTISM/FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS John Elder Robison embrace eccentricity Crown Archetype I SBN 978-0-307-88481-7 • How to identify special gifts and use them to New York 52400 3/11 author of the New York Times bestselling LOOK ME IN THE EYE your advantage www.crownpublishing.com Printed in the U.S.A. 9 780307 884817 (continued on back flap)
Overwhelmed people can’t learn Ø Make Big Picture Explicit
What is Executive Function?
Ini ate Working Memory & Planning Organize/Integrate Monitor
Inhibit Flexibility Self-Monitor Emo onal Control
The Importance of Inner Speech
Language
Self directed speech
Self regulation
Executive control (Luria, 1961)
Articulatory Suppression and Planning
6 Articulatory Suppression 5 Normal
4
3
2 Number of Extra Moves Moves Extra ofNumber 1
0 Autism Spectrum Disorder Typically Developing
Wallace et al. (2009) Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Poor planning/Inner Speech/Working Memory Looks Like: Won’t follow directions, work independently
• Talk Less, Write More: White Boards • Use technology for tracking tasks, calendar, writing • Communication: e-mail, texting • Notes • Computer-based curricula • Socratic method
Unstuck Philosophy: Accommodate, then Remediate
(continued from front flap) Praise for $24.00 “An essential guidebook that will help all the creative, quirky, geeky, and Every person, Aspergian or not, has something be diff unique to offer the world, and every person has the be different wonderfully different kids to become successful in life.” —TEMPLE GRANDIN “I believe those of us with Asperger’s are here capacity to create strong, loving bonds with their for a reason, and we have much to offer. This “For anyone who has difficulty fitting in, this book is fantastic.” friends and family. Be Different will help readers book will help you bring out those gifts.” and those they love find their path to success. —TEMPLE GRANDIN, author of Thinking in Pictures
Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian Free-Range a of Adventures n his bestselling memoir, Look Me in the Eye, JOHN ELDER ROBISON is “In a love poem to his wife, Pedro Salinas, the Spanish poet, wrote, John Elder Robison described growing up an author and frequent lecturer ‘Glory to the differences / between you and me.’ John Robison teaches us to with Asperger’s syndrome at a time when the about his life with Asperger’s. I celebrate differences like Salinas did, but also offers clear insight and valuable diagnosis didn’t exist. He was intelligent but so- He blogs for Psychology Today advice on how to cope with the challenges that being different can create. cially isolated; his talents won him jobs with toy and is an adjunct faculty mem- makers and rock bands but did little to endear him ber at Elms College in Chicopee, This book transcends the specific case of Asperger’s syndrome and be different to authority figures and classmates, who were put Massachusetts. John serves on is a lesson in humanity and the human condition.”
e off by his inclination to blurt out non sequiturs committees and review boards —ALVARO PASCUAL-LEONE, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School Neural and avoid eye contact. for the Centers for Disease Control and the National and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center By the time he was diagnosed at age forty, John Institutes of Health. He is currently involved in au- rent had already developed a myriad of coping strategies tism research and therapy programs at Harvard’s “Anyone with Asperger’s, if not everyone else, will derive knowledge and that helped him achieve a seemingly normal, even Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Massachu- pleasure from the wonderful stories told in John Elder Robison’s newest book, highly successful, life. In Be Different, Robison shares setts General Hospital. John also sits on the science a new batch of endearing stories about his child- and treatment boards of Autism Speaks. His previous Be Different. Clearly, John is one of our community’s leading voices.” hood, adolescence, and young adult years, giving book, Look Me in the Eye, was a NewDiversity York Times best- —MICHAEL JOHN CARLEY, author of Asperger’s from the Inside Out Adventures of a the reader a rare window into the Aspergian mind. seller and has been translated into ten languages. He and executive director of GRASP and ASTEP In each story, he offers practical advice—for Asper- lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. gians and indeed for anyone who feels “different”— Copyright © 2011 by Crown Archetype Copyright © 2011 by Crown Free-Range Aspergian “Be Different is a fascinating and unique guide for young people on how to improve the weak communication and Visit him at www.johnrobison.com. who may be struggling with autism and feel ‘out of sync’ with the social skills that keep so many people from taking
Also available as an eBook world around them. John shares personal insights about growing up, full advantage of their often remarkable gifts. and on audio from Randomis a civil House feeling apart from his peers, and learning to modify his socializing skills With his trademark honesty and unapologetic eccentricity, Robison addresses questions like: and harness his gifts to discover his path to a successful life.” • How to read others and follow their behaviors —MARK ROITHMAYR, president of Autism Speaks WITH PRACTICAL ADVICE when in uncertain social situations for Aspergians, Misfits, Families & Teachers • Why manners matter Jacket design: WHITNEY G. COOKMAN • How to harness your powers of concentration to Jacket photograph: COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR master difficult skills Author photograph: AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS JOHN • How to deal with bullies right… ELDER • When to make an effort to fit in, and when to U.S. $24.00 ROBISON PSYCHOLOGY—AUTISM/FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS John Elder Robison embrace eccentricity Crown Archetype I SBN 978-0-307-88481-7 • How to identify special gifts and use them to New York 52400 3/11 author of the New York Times bestselling LOOK ME IN THE EYE your advantage www.crownpublishing.com Printed in the U.S.A. 9 780307 884817 (continued on back flap)
Overwhelmed people can’t learn Ø Talk Less, Write More
The most important accommodations of them all: Be Flexible and Keep it Positive!! Emotions are Contagious Reinforcement Breaks the …and Flexibility is too Cycle
to Child mad
You’re Praise mad Praise
Child Praise Correc on or Madder command Praise You’re madder Life Journey Through Autism: A Guide for Transition to Adulthood (OAR)
Characteristics Employment Strength May be less likely to verbally disrupt Nonverbal fellow coworkers May stay more focused on work and Limited social interest not waste time Strong sensory May enjoy working in a quiet office preferences Comes to work on time, takes breaks at Is very schedule- or rule- the right time, and returns from break bound on time Appears ritualistic or May offer excellent attention to detail compulsive and quality control Overload: Looks like anxiety, impulsivity, meltdowns Brenda Smith Myles: AS and Difficult Moments GOAL: Increase your understanding of executive functions and how to enhance them PLAN 1. The problem: Poor outcome ✔ 2. Define Executive Functions (EF) & why they ✔ matter for outcomes 3. Understand & accommodate EF deficits: ✔ a. Flexibility b. Organization/Integration 4. Teach flexibility, organization & planning skills
Teaching Executive Function Skills OR… bridging the dissociation between knowing and doing The Challenge: • A student with ASD: “My biggest problem in college has been executive functioning. I’m not organized, I’m late with everything and I don’t know how to get started. My school did a great job of including me in school, but why didn’t anyone teach me this EF stuff?” • EF skills are hard to generalize (Ylvisaker et al, 2003) The Strategy: • Embed teaching in the real world: school & home • Show, model and coach • Consistency • Coach across se ngs • Make Implicit Explicit • Scaffold-fade- Teach and generalize use key Teach by scripts and doing words
Use visual Make it supports fun!
• Checklists • Humor, • Cues rewards • White Boards • Collaborate with child Teaching: Why Be Flexible
• Advantages of physical flexibility • The “facts” of life • What to do when what I want is impossible • Pie charts: getting part of I want is better than getting nothing at all Teach How to Be Flexible: Self- Regulatory Scripts
ü Avoid too much talking ü Refer to the big picture ü Build an alliance— you’re helping ü Need to be practiced How to be Flexible: Words and Scripts
Flexible • Great job being flexible
• I'm ge ng stuck on ___, how Unstuck can I get unstuck?
• Let's compromise so we both Compromise get some of what we want
• What is our plan? Plan A/Plan B • What is our Plan B? Flexibility Scripts
Big Deal/Li le • How can we make this big deal Deal into a li le deal?
Choice/No • Is this a no choice situa on? Choice
Handling the • What will change? • What will stay the same? Unexpected • Why is the change happening?
Ylvisaker & Feeny, 1998; Feeny & Ylvisaker, 2008 GPDC (goal, why, plan, do, check)
Goal To have fun at recess Why Recess is my free me Plan A Ask Johnny if he wants to play soccer
Plan B (If J says, “no”) Ask Melissa to play soccer
Plan C Swing on the swings
Do Follow my plans Check Did I meet my goal?
Which plan worked?
Would I do it the same or different next me? On Target for Life
Teaching techniques: Scripts and Vocabulary – simple and meaningful words and phrases used in many contexts to teach and generalize skills:
“How to increase power in my life?”
“That’s an interesting detail. How long should we get stuck on it?”
“What is the big picture?”
“When and how to compromise”
“Eyes on the prize”
“Making it real!” (using the skills in my life)
• • On Target for Life Organizing visuals:
• •
Danger Pie or Balanced Pie?
Sleeping 5
Leisure: Games/TV/Social 9.5 Media Leisure: Exercise
Grooming
7.5 Work 1 1 Not Thinking Crea ng Put Your Put Your Con nue interested about goal Your Plan Plan A into Plan B/C/D to work on in goal Ac on into Ac on Big Picture Blinded Classroom Observations
80 Social Skills 70 Unstuck 60
50
40
30 Percent Improved 20
10
0 Reciprocity Rule Transi ons Gets Stuck Nega vity/ Par cipates Abidance Overwhelm Classroom Observa ons Kenworthy & Anthony et al, 2014 Books on Supporting and Teaching Executive Function • Solving Executive Function Challenges: Simple Ways to Get Kids with Autism Unstuck and on Target Kenworthy et al (2014) • Unstuck and On Target: Teaching Flexibility and Goal Directed Behavior to Children with ASD Cannon et al (2011) • The Incredible Flexible You & Superflex Michelle Garcia Winner • Smart by Scattered Dawson & Guare (2009) • Late Lost and Unprepared Cooper-Kahn & Dietzel (2008) • Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents: A Practical Guide to Assessment and Intervention Dawson & Guare (2010) • School Success for Kids With Asperger’s Syndrome Silverman et al (2014) Find your people: What do these people have in common?
• Tim Page, Pulitzer prize winner • Vernon Smith, noble laureate • Satoshi Tajiri, creator of Pokémon • Ma Savage, “Mozart of jazz” • Daryl Hannah, actor • Dan Aykroyd, comedian • Heather Kuzmich, model • Richard Borcherds, mathema cian • Michael Burry, US investment fund manager