#KREED AUTISM MELTDOWN HOW TO#

The reason we are successful with his AAC device is because we use the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to teach him the language of the device. Shame on ABA practitioners who do this because you are also not disseminating correct research and telling families the exact opposite of what sound scientific research has shown.Īt home with Kreed you will see us use ABA all the time, all day, in every situation. For any ABA practitioner that says using AAC will halt any kind of oral speech or impede progress in using their natural speech- you are giving false information and perhaps limiting an individual’s progress by not knowing the research. ABA is a science and we only use scientifically researched approaches- the proof on how AAC devices can be implemented and help behavior and speech is right there in the research literature. Research has shown that in fact, using AAC device ONLY helps develop even more oral communication (Blischak, Lombardino, & Dyson, 2003, Miler et al., 2006).

For those who believe that using an AAC device will cause a child to NOT speak, check out the research first. This is why we film Kreed, this is why I write about it and why I try to advocate far and wide for the use of communication devices by families- not just speech therapists in a session- but for children, teens and adults to have a voice at all times, even if it is not their natural one.

#KREED AUTISM MELTDOWN HOW TO#

If an individual is able to communicate, they won’t have to rely on maladaptive behaviors to get their point across- hence why ABA practitioners should be all over this! I’ve learned over the years the lack of use of AAC devices through the years has more to do with experience, or lack thereof, and limited knowledge of how to implement devices to impact people’s behaviors. The thing to understand about AAC devices is that it enhances speech AND impacts behavior. These can include Sign Language (so those peeps who think they are not using AAC by teaching sign language- this is AAC too), picture exchange systems, switches, eye gaze or computer devices that use symbols or words. In people with severe language delays or a lack of functional speech or any kind of speech, AAC devices are used to become their voice. Rarely does a child need one and only one approach while they learn.Īugmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is all forms of communication (other than your own natural voice) that are used to communicate everything (needs, wants, thoughts, comments, responses, questions etc). It’s different for all kids and across skills. Meaning some children might need some version of discrete trial, but in other situations more natural examples. If you are good at ABA- that should be your goal in the first place! When anyone decides one one “type” of ABA, you are then possibly only using “part” of ABA, and thus you can’t just assume you can only use part of ABA with every child you meet and expect it to work for every child. If you knew ABA inside and out, you would realize that the point of ABA is so that children learn naturally. I have a news flash for all of those people- it’s ALL ABA. Or a mix of DTT with naturalist teaching instructions. Over the years so many “types” of ABA have cropped up- each proclaiming to be new and improved version. This is about using the principles of ABA all day, every day to help a teenager with autism learn to communicate with his Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) device. Or any other three letters that are a “subtype” of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). He also suffers from a number of food intolerance’s which renders him gluten, soy, dairy free, as well as other foods ….read more… Kreed is diagnosed with autism as well as a number of medical issues: hypothyroidism, epilepsy, SCAD (metabolic disorder), Adrenal Insufficiency (his adrenal system does not work and produce cortisol), CVID- an immune deficiency.

By: Erin Polk - Kreed’s World: A Complex Journey Through Autism About: Kreed is 16 years old and is nonverbal- meaning he cannot use his natural voice to speak.

Kreed autism meltdown