By Linda Andron Ostrow Embracing Special interests , Not Ignoring them Last week we were treated to the wonderful story of Owen Suskind who understood the world in amazing depth, through his interest in Disney movies and the messages their characters embody. His father, Ron , relates this incredible story in his article in the New Yorker and up coming book. Life Animated. When the Suskind’s saw the potential to connect with Owen through Disney movies they felt hope. When his…
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By Eric Kastan, M.A.,LMFT, BCBA This time of the year, we tend to start to take inventory of the year and what is and is not working. This may include behavior and how we all affect each other. Last month I wrote about how to increase the chance on someone’s behavior occurring through reinforcement. Well, when we take some inventory, one may realize that they have been reinforcing a negative or unwanted behavior. What do we do then? One of…
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By Eric Kastan, M.A.,LMFT, BCBA One person’s punishment, is another person’s reward. The basic concept of ABA works on the 3-term contingency of behaviors (the ABC model): Antecedent, the events prior to behavior; Behavior, the observable and measureable action; Consequence; outcome of events from the behavior. This 3-term contingency model is the base of all ABA. As a behavior analyst in ABA, as a field we tend to do the most work within the Consequence area. This is done with…
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By Eric Kastan, M.A.,LMFT, BCBA Linking it all together Happy New Year! New year, new skills. In ABA we can build new skills in a couple ways. Shaping was in last month’s blog. This month, we will look into chaining. Chaining is a great procedure to build new skills. This procedure teaches new behaviors and skills in a scripted and planned manner that also offers structure for you as a parent (or educator, or therapist, or caretaker). As you read…
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By Eric Kastan, M.A.,LMFT, BCBA How can you reinforce a change in behaivor? Well it’s that time of the year where you will hear a lot about New Year’s resolutions. We may look at our children and think about what changes in their behavior we’d like to see in 2014. In ABA, sometimes this change requires a new set of behaviors. To teach new behaviors in ABA, there are two great methods, shaping and chaining. I will look at shaping for…
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By Linda Andron-Ostrow, Executive Director Time is always an elusive experience. How about this year we focus on a mind frame that allows us to be in the present, living a fulfilling life? Another successful year is behind us and another year full of opportunity is already at our finger tips. We are resolved to do something new this year before it is gone too. At whatever time we are in life, it is the essence of a fulfilling life that…
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As we come to the end of this year, it is with great pleasure that I share with all of you in our accomplishments – individually, as families, and as a community. Individually, we look back on the insights that we learned throughout the year. At the same time we consider how to actualize these lessons in the future. We must think about where would we like to see ourselves in 2014 and our action plans that will get us there. When…
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By Linda Andron-Ostrow, Executive Director It was wonderful to see all who were able to attend our annual art show and casino night. Members from the GAP program hosted the event and also offered up their artistic talents through the wide range of art pieces and a comedy show. Seeing our young adults, family members, friends, interns, staff, and board members all together that night reminded me that this is the reason we call ourselves FACT family. The strength and importance of…
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By Linda Andron-Ostrow, Executive Director We are thrilled to announce the passage of SB 468, giving choice and flexibility for the services you and your family access from Regional Centers. This was reportedly the largest outpouring of public support for a human services bill and I cannot emphasize enough that this is thanks to each and every call you made throughout the process. We are very pleased to have supported the heroic efforts of the Autism Society of Los Angeles…
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By Eric Kastan, M.A., LMFT, BCBA It’s Not What You Say, But How You Say It As we travel along the path of ABA, it is important to look at your part in the equation of behavior change. February brings a holiday about expressing to your loved ones how you feel about them. Sometimes this can be gigantic, over the top, experiences, and other times it can be a simple little message. Both have meaning and both can deeply affect…
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