Preparing Our Son With Autism to Ride the Bus
>> Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Having a child with autism in a family brings about many situations that leave family members very puzzled. Our family experienced a puzzling situation with our autistic first grader beginning a few weeks before winter break from school. Our son Collin begin to have "melt downs" in the classroom at the end of the school day. This involved crying, falling on the floor, some spitting and hitting.These behaviors are unusual for Collin than usual and we were having a difficult time pinpointing an antecedent to the behavior. What was happening right before these meltdowns to make this behavior occur? After talking with our Collin's teachers, therapists, and aid, we decided he could be having some separation anxiety as he was getting upset when his friends were packing to leave each day. Collin's teacher suggested a new method of transportation home. He was picked up daily in carpool by his mother or me. We decided that leaving at the same time as most of the other children may relieve some of the stress he was feeling at the end of the school day. So, we decided to let him ride the bus..... the typical bus with all typical children.
Collin's teacher did and excellent job at helping everyone prepare for this bus ride. My wife and I, our son's ABA therapist, the bus driver, our son's aid and selected peer helpers all came together to help Collin be successful. First, Collin was taken to the area where the buses were waiting for the children each afternoon for a few days. He got to step up on the bus and have a seat. He met his bus Driver Mr. Albert. He even got to sit on the bus while it pulled through he parking lot one day. He was becoming very excited about riding the bus. Collin's teacher made social story about rules on the bus and we got a copy for home. We used the book as reading material at bedtime and it was used in a couple of his ABA sessions the week prior to riding the bus. Collin was also assigned three peer helpers form the fourth grade to help him with bus safety. these three children were excited to help Collin and took turns one afternoon reading him the social story book as well. So, Collin began riding the bus home and the end of the day "melt downs" have ceased and he is enjoying the experience very much. The small steps taken to help him prepare made all the difference and we have not only changed an inappropriate behavior, but have given Collin more time with typical peers which is something he really enjoys.
Garrett Butch is the father of a 6 year old with autism and the founder of Maximum Potential Group.
Maximum Potential has developed courses that train parents and school systems how to work with children with autism.
http://www.maximumpotentialkids.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Garrett_Butch
Collin's teacher did and excellent job at helping everyone prepare for this bus ride. My wife and I, our son's ABA therapist, the bus driver, our son's aid and selected peer helpers all came together to help Collin be successful. First, Collin was taken to the area where the buses were waiting for the children each afternoon for a few days. He got to step up on the bus and have a seat. He met his bus Driver Mr. Albert. He even got to sit on the bus while it pulled through he parking lot one day. He was becoming very excited about riding the bus. Collin's teacher made social story about rules on the bus and we got a copy for home. We used the book as reading material at bedtime and it was used in a couple of his ABA sessions the week prior to riding the bus. Collin was also assigned three peer helpers form the fourth grade to help him with bus safety. these three children were excited to help Collin and took turns one afternoon reading him the social story book as well. So, Collin began riding the bus home and the end of the day "melt downs" have ceased and he is enjoying the experience very much. The small steps taken to help him prepare made all the difference and we have not only changed an inappropriate behavior, but have given Collin more time with typical peers which is something he really enjoys.
Garrett Butch is the father of a 6 year old with autism and the founder of Maximum Potential Group.
Maximum Potential has developed courses that train parents and school systems how to work with children with autism.
http://www.maximumpotentialkids.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Garrett_Butch
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