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Posted by mary s on July 6, 2009, 4:10 pm, in reply to "BEHAVIOR!! Help with EI child!"
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Been there, done that! Here's the deal and I know is it easier said than done but you've got to take control of this child. This is the problem with child oriented therapy when we're encouraged to do only what the child wants--this only leads to the child refining their negative behavior while we run around behind them trying to lool professional. OK--off my soapbox.
Have a frank talk with mom and dad--chances are they are frustrated with his behavior too. Educate them that behavior IS communication but that before "oral" communication begins--improved behavior must be the goal. He needs to learn that Sit means Sit, No means NO and Stop means Stop. You and parents MUST assert yourselves as boss. If his receptive language is indeed intact-you'll achieve this quicker than you think but you may have to be cruel. I call it Cruel To Be Kind!! Here are some steps to consider:
**explain to parent that their support is needed--even when child is distressed or you'll get nowhere
**design a place where you sort of kind of trap him so he can't dart away from you
**place toys out of reach but within view
**allow only one or two toys to be within view
**when the child sits--he gets the toy, when he stands--toy goes bye-bye. he'll cry but too bad
**prolong the time between sitting and receiving the toy---this is the key!!!
**I'm using "sit" but it can obviously be any behavior you feel is appropriate: no grabbing, eye contact, no screaming...whatever it may be
**i'm using the word toy but consider other motivators-food, hugs/touches from mom, going down the slide, a push on the swing and yes, even a train car
**you can even tell mom to sit to earn a toy and allow her to model---be sure to have mom stand up so her toy can go bye bye too
**use pictures of the toy the child can point to to earn the toy----PECS oriented or imitate the word if he can do so--even using "please" to gain any toy or activity is good
You may have some sessions with nothing but crying but if you can't gain control of his behavior---you won't gain control of his oral communication. Start small and little by little, bit by bit the kiddo will start to see the benefit of improved behavior and also start to see you as someone fun instead of an object to bang! That's when you can refocus on speaking.
It's good you are doing sensory stuff--it could be a bigger role than you realize. Maybe your sensory materials could be your "toys". good luck and remember: Cruel To Be Kind
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