Putting On Shoes

Teaching our child how to put on shoes may seem like a tough job. Parents and teachers may struggle with the many steps that goes in to helping them get their shoes on. However, by simply breaking down the steps and teaching each part one by one makes teaching a lot easier.

Google Image

What do we need?

• A Visual
• A Video Model
• Shoes
• A Chair

A visual is a picture diagram with step by step pictures that shows the child what they are supposed to do. In this case, the visual would include step by step pictures of an individual putting on their shoes. Here's an example:

 

 

A video model is a short clip of an individual performing a specific skill. In this case, it would be ideal to take a video model of someone that the child is close to putting on their shoes. And with each step the individual will narrate what is going on. Here's an example of an individual teaching someone how to tie their shoe laces:

 

Taken from YouTube

 

Shoes are of course required when teaching our child how to put them on. As we are just getting started, simple strap shoes would work well for now and later on when your child is able to put those on independently we can teach him how to tie shoe laces.

Apart from that a chair that is of appropriate height to your child would be required so he can sit comfortably and put on his shoes.

Let's get started!

First we need to identify all the steps that goes in to putting on shoes. Each step is important so it is vital that we get it all down.

Step 1: Pick up shoes

Step 2: Sit down on chair

Step 3: Open the strap

Step 4: Put shoe on the ground

Step 5: Push foot into shoe

Step 6: Push heel of foot into heel of shoe

Step 7: Place foot knee

Step 8: Put on strap of shoe

Step 9: Repeat steps 3 to 8 for left shoe

With all the steps identified, the next part would be to teach our child how to actually do this. The way we do this is through backward chaining. We teach the last step first, then the second to last, the next and so on until we are teaching him the first step and he can do it on his own.

 

For example, we will do all the steps (1 to 7) for our child and allow him to do the last step of putting on the shoe strap. Initially we will have to fully hand-over-hand prompt him to put on the strap. This is the most intrusive prompt and we aim to fade off this prompt as soon as possible. Once our child is able to put on the shoe strap independently then we aim for the last two steps. Again, we will do all the initial steps for him (1 to 6) and allow our child to do the last two; place his foot on his knee and put the strap on. Once again when our child is successful with those two steps then we go on to introducing the next step in line. We will continue to do this until he reaches the first step and is able to do everything on his own.

 

Remember to reinforce our child with every success and attempt he makes. Reinforcement plays an important role when teaching our child new skills.

 

Don't forget to have fun with it!

 

Written by,

Danya Mathialakan

Supervisor, EAP Malaysia

Learning To Put On A Shirt

When teaching a child a new skill, it is important that we break the skill down and start at the easiest step in order for the child to feel successful. The concept of breaking the skill down is referred to as Task Analysis.

 

Google Image

 

Below are two online articles that give us an idea of how to help a child with dressing. In the first article, (click here for the article), Mary Elizabeth Christian highlights all the steps of getting dressed. We at EAP would recommend that some of these skills be taught in isolation so it is easier for the child to learn to combine the steps together.

 

The second article (found here), breaks down the skills of putting a shirt on in more detail. The author also refers to backward chaining which is what we would recommend at EAP as well.

 

Google Image

 

Now in addition to all that has been covered by the above two articles, we would also add the following suggestions:

1. Decide if you would like to start with a simple t-shirt rather that a shirt. When you would like to start teaching your child to put on a shirt, do remember to teach him or her how to button and unbutton first (prerequisite skills are imperative!).
2. We at EAP would add a visual schedule of the broken down steps so your child has a clear idea of what is expected of him or her. In addition, visual prompts are easier to fade and eventually your child could use the schedule on his/her own.
3. Prompt fully in the beginning if necessary and then gradually fade back your prompting so your child is able to be independent.
4. Do set up sufficient opportunities for regular practice in order for your child to learn quickly as well as to retain the skill. We would typically practice it every hour of therapy a child has (this would usually be about 3-6 times a day).
5. Also remember to REWARD, REWARD, REWARD! Some children need a token for each step and then one big prize after, while other children need a reinforcer for each step.

If you find you have been practicing this regularly but your child does not seem to be learning it, review the steps, simplify it if necessary, increase reinforcement if necessary and then try again.

 

All the best and do give us a call at 2094 0421 or send us an email at media@autismmalaysia.com if you have any questions or if this worked for you!

 

Written by,

Jochebed Isaacs

Director, EAP Malaysia

 

Putting on Pants

Dressing is an important factor in our child’s lives. We learn basic dressing skills when we are infants. It may sound or look easy but it can be a challenging process when we implement these skills to our children in the spectrum.

 

Google Image

 

 

So here are some basic steps to ensure our child is successful while learning to put on their clothes INDEPENDENTLY.

1. Like every program, it is important to break skills down. How do we break it down?
2. If you are teaching your child to put on pants, the great way to break skills down is by:-
• Performing backwards chaining for pulling up pants.
• Teacher or parents, help child put both legs in pants, child pulls pants up between thighs. Once your child is independently pulling up between thighs.
• The next step is for your child to pull pants up between knees.
• The last step is for your child to pulls pants up from the floor.
3. Once your child is constantly successful pulling up pants. The next step is for your child to wear pants independently. 
• First crumple the pants and place it on the floor, so it is easier for your child to put both legs in pants. Target one leg at a time.
• Once your child is independently putting on pants. Next fold the pants into two, your child has to unfold the pants and wear the pants independently. During this time it is important to label the back and front.
• Next fold the pants entirely and child has to unfold and wear independently.
• Lastly fold pants and place in the cupboard. Child opens cupboard, unfold pants and wears independently.
4. There are others way that you can teach your child to put on pants.
• Social stories
• Video modeling (demonstration of a different child putting on pants.
• Visuals

 

 It is important to reinforce your child’s effort with STRONG REINFORCERS (something that really motivates the child) and verbal praise such as “How exciting, you can put on your clothes like big kids do.”

 

Written by

Jerusha

Supervisor, EAP Malaysia

A Dedication To All Teachers

May 16th marks the day we celebrate our teachers. Some may wonder why we celebrate it on May 16th in Malaysia. Well, the date was chosen because on the same day in 1956, the Federal Legislative Council of the Federation of Malaya endorsed the Razak Report, one of four reports of the Education Committee regarding education in Malaysia. It may not be an official school holiday, nevertheless, celebrations are held on May 16 to commemorate all the teachers.

 

At times it may seem as though our job isn't necessarily always easy, but at the end of the day we know we have accomplished something special with the kids. Through the highs and lows, we look for the good in all we do. Whether it is teaching our child how to put on his shoes, or teaching them how to sing a song, or even teaching them to respond to their name, the sense of accomplishment comes from the smiles on their faces and of course all the little things they achieve.

 

EAP Teachers, your passion, hard work and thorough determination can truly be seen in all the kids that you work with. All the progress they have made is because of you and your efforts to keep going even when times got tough. To you we owe this day and to you we are grateful for. Thank you EAP Teachers, for all that you have done!

 

HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY! 

 

EAP Malaysia



 

Brushing Teeth

There are so many self help skills that we need to teach a child. Brushing teeth is one important self help skill that a child should learn at a young age. The following method is one that we have tried and has shown tremendous results with our children.

 

Google Image

 

First and foremost check to see if your child can tolerate having a toothbrush in his mouth. If he is unable to tolerate having a toothbrush in his mouth he is not ready for the routine yet, but you can desensitize him to the toothbrush. How can we do this?

 

First prepare a social story about brushing teeth. For example:

 

Title     : Brushing  teeth

Pg 1    : This is John

Pg 2    : It is time to brush teeth

Pg 3    : John’s toothbrush

Pg 4    : John can open mouth

Pg 5    :Toothbrush will help John keep teeth clean

Pg 6    : Brush front, top, bottom, left, right and tongue.

Pg 7    : Wow! Look John’s teeth is so clean

Pg 8    : John gets a surprise for brushing teeth

Pg 8    : Well done John!

(Modify story accordingly to child’s your child’s need) or make a video according to the story.

Once you have prepared the story, read it to your child. Now we can slowly start to expose him to his toothbrush. Do not immediately put the tooth brush in his mouth but instead let him become comfortable with having his toothbrush around him. When he's comfortable, slowly start bringing the toothbrush closer to his mouth, for instance touching his lips, touching his teeth, then touching his teeth for a longer period of time with the toothbrush, then touching his teeth with a wet toothbrush and finally having the toothbrush with toothpaste touch his teeth. Don’t forget to reinforce your child for every step that he takes.

This may take some time but the result at the end is rewarding. Therefore be patient and enjoy the journey.

If your child is already comfortable with having a toothbrush in his mouth then he might be ready for the routine.

You will have to prepare a few visuals such as a social story, video model and a step by step visual of the routine.

The visual below shows some step by step visual of the brushing teeth routine.

Examples of visuals

 

Before starting the routine it is good to go through the whole routine with your child first and it would be useful if you could make a video of someone brushing their teeth the same way as the routine.

Do a backward chaining to teach your child the routine. This means you will do the whole routine with the child and he only does the last step himself. Once he can do that step independently then he will need to do the last two steps independently. And slowly move upwards through the routine.

It is best if you can practice this with your child in the bathroom.

Always remember to reinforce your child every time he does the routine successfully.

Have fun brushing teeth with your little sunshine!

Written by
Jessica Ganesha
Supervisor, EAP Malaysia

To All The Mothers

Google Image

My mother loves me unconditionally.
Even though I repeat the same old things.
My mother loves me so well you see.
She's patient when I cannot be.
She doesn't mind me pacing back and forth.
She doesn't mind the jibberish.

 

When I am frustrated beyond my means.
She sings, Don't worry the storm is over."
When I feel no one understands,
Mom is there to hold my hand.
To all the parents around the words whose
journey seems like this.
We know that you love us dearly.
But having you in our lives makes us blessed.

 

By Meshell Baylor

 

A child with autism wrote a poem expressing what she feels from her mother and dedicates this message to all parents. 

 

Taken from: http://www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/autism-poem-to-all-the-mothers.html

 

 

From all the kids at EAP Malaysia and all the teachers and staff too, we wish you a Happy Mother's Day!

 

Mothers, We Appreciate You!

 

 

Mothers are being celebrated and honoured in a very special way at Kingdom City this Sunday. YB Hannah Yeoh will be speaking at all 3 services on how she balances her professional life and being a mother of two! There will be special presentations and gifts for all mothers so do check out http://www.kingdomcity.com/kl/ for more information.

 

Seeking Research Volunteers

Dear parents,

The Monash University - Sunway Campus is conducting research in the area of autism. It would be great if you are willing to participate in this research project and if so do contact them directly. We do hope to increase research in the area of autism in Malaysia.

For more information, please refer to the flyer below.

EAP Malaysia

Introducing...Self Help Skills!

So for the months of May and June, EAP Malaysia's team of Supervisors will be giving us the secrets on how to teach our kids certain Self Help Skills. We will be targeting brushing teeth;

Google Image

putting on pants;

Google Image

putting on shirts;

Google Image

putting on shoes;

Google Image

brushing hair;

Google Image

washing hands;

Google Image

and eating with a spoon.

Google Image

 

Simple tasks like these we may tend to take for granted and expect our kids to naturally pick up. However, we must not forget that sometimes our kids may find simple tasks like these difficult and challenging for them. Breaking down the steps can help and make a big difference to them.

 

Usually it is recommended that backward chaining is used to teach these skills. What this means is that the child is taught the last step first in a sequence of actions, then the next to last step, and so on, until the first action in that sequence is taught last. This method of chaining helps the child as they gain successes through each step.

Keep yourself posted to our blog to find out all the details!

EAP Malaysia

A Gentle And Intelligent Man

My husband, Mike, has just been formally diagnosed with Asperger syndrome at the age of 41. I have always known he had Asperger's since I met him 12 years ago at the school where I was teaching English. He was doing maternity cover in the maths department and spent lunchtimes pouring fastidiously over his lunchbox in the staffroom, looking rather lonely and lost. The English department took him under our wing. He amazed us. A clearly intelligent and gentle man, he was the second highest rated chess player in the county.

 

I was intrigued. It was obvious he was a bit 'odd' though, and I asked a friend who taught psychology at the school what he thought. 'Read this,' he said, handing me a photocopy on Asperger's.

 

Since then I have been instrumental in spotting quite a few undiagnosed children with the syndrome and have referred them on, so my friend did more than one person a service that day. Mike and I went out together a few times: cinema, quizzes (we were brilliant!), and I accompanied him to chess tournaments (the biggest Asperger conferences in the world) I even managed to hold him to a draw in our first chess game because he underestimated me (though he claims he let me have stalemate, of course).

 

He has been my partner since then, my husband the last two years. Life is never boring with Mike. That isn't to say it is easy either. Before his recent diagnosis I wrote an article, 'Either my husband has Asperger's or I am married to the most selfish man on earth', but it was all tongue in cheek. He is still odd - but he makes me laugh and we love each other. Yes, his Asperger's has caused some problems in his work life. We are going through a bit of a tough patch at the moment, but we shall survive. We are together and are each other's best friend.

 

My son (from my first marriage) is engaged to a lovely woman who works with disabled adults. She recognised Mike's condition from the start, so my family is supportive. My friends are my friends because they accept him. When he is odd or rude, they look at me and we smile knowingly. Meeting, marrying and being with Mike has enriched my life. For better or for Asperger's, eh?

 

by Vicki

 

Taken from: http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/real-life-stories/real-life-stories-from-partners/gentle-and-intelligent-man.aspx