1)      Social Referencing: You and the child are seated across a table from one another. Place up to 10 pieces of preferred edibles in a row on the table. When the child is seated quietly and makes eye contact with you, nod your head up and down, permitting the child to take an edible. A few notes on this procedure, 1) if the child attempts to grab the candy prior to making eye contact, you should block access and 2) you may want to start by only placing one edible on the table at a time to eliminate distractions.

2)       Establishing gaze- or point-following: Again, you and the child are seated across the table from one another. You will need 2 opaque cups and up to 10 pieces of a preferred edible that will fit underneath the cup. With both cups upside down on the table, have the child close his/her eyes and when he/she is not looking, place an edible under 1 of the 2 cups. Tell the child, “Ready,” or “You can look now”. Once the child makes eye contact, immediately move your face as close to the cup with the hidden treat. The child should select the cup that you are closest to. If not, do not allow access to edible, repeat the trial until the child consistently (3 consecutive trials) looks at your face and selects the correct cup.

These are only a few of the procedures that we use to help enhance joint attention skills.  Other simple steps could include, reinforcing any eye contact made at any time, delaying access to preferred items until eye contact is made. One way to increase the success of these steps is to ensure that the item is highly preferred/desired. When not naturally developed, eye contact is a skill that can be taught and strengthened through a history of reinforcement. Like any learned skill, it takes time, patience, and consistency.

References

Holth, Per.  (2006).  An Operant Analysis of Joint Attention Skills. European Journal of      Behavior Analysis, 7, 77-91

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This was Jacob in 2009, when he became the first client in our Richmond Hill clinic.  Since that day, Jacob has made tremendous progress. BCS immediately began providing intensive therapy in Jacob’s home. His mother played a vital role in his progress, as she sought to learn as much as she could about ABA. She learned the procedures and implemented them even when a behavior analyst was not present. Working together, Jacob’s mother, the supervising behavior analyst and behavior assistant created goals for Jacob and worked to teach him the necessary skills to achieve those goals. Within the first 6 months of receiving ABA services, Jacob was able to tolerate bathing without exhibiting problem behaviors, made trips to the ocean, increased his verbal repertoire significantly and no longer required Occupational Therapy or psychotropic medication to control self-injurious behaviors and aggression.  Within 18 months Jacob no longer required Speech Therapy and demonstrated age-appropriate developmental milestones, including language and social skills.

Today, Jacob no longer requires intensive ABA therapy. He does not demonstrate any of the problem behaviors that he demonstrated just 3 short years ago. He has been placed in a mainstream classroom, without any educational supports. He not only participates on a local youth baseball team, but he excels both athletically and socially. Not to mention, he is super cute! Congratulations to Jacob and the entire Montelbano family! You have truly Reached a Milestone with BCS. Visit any of our offices including our ABA Therapy for Autism Jacksonville Fl.

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