https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx For parents of children on the Autism Spectrum, based in Riverside, California. en-us 2021-11-06 20:47:44 UTC 2021-11-06 22:09:31 UTC hello@padlet.com 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1871991823 When your child first receives a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, it can be challenging to know where to start when finding resources. Here are some basics to remember when finding speech resources for your child in Riverside City. 

]]> 2021-11-06 21:08:57 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1871991823 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1871992290 Ask your provider what services you qualify for with your insurance. Under SB946, California law mandates that all provider contracts include coverage for pervasive developmental disorder, including autism. This includes speech therapy! ]]> 2021-11-06 21:09:35 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1871992290 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1871992575 Riverside Unified School District provides small-group and individual speech and language therapy for students with delays. Talk with your school and providers to see how your child qualifies!]]> 2021-11-06 21:09:58 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1871992575 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1871993916 Get to know your speech and language pathologist once you begin assessment and sessions. Find out what your child specifically needs to improve communication, and don't be afraid to ask questions! Some important questions to ask are: 

1. "Does my child have any disorders present concurrent with their autism, such as dyslexia?" 

2. "How long is the assessment period, and what will the structure of session look like for my child?"

3. "What are the main goals that you will be working towards during this period?"

4. "Where can I provide help for my child in the home?"

You have the right and responsibility to ensure that your child is receiving the best possible services. Arming yourself with questions, knowledge, and communication strategies will help this process immensely!]]> 2021-11-06 21:11:42 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1871993916 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872003430 There are so many things you can do in the home to teach your child correct use of language! Here are the basics of Functional Communication Training that you can incorporate in the home. A practical example of this will be shown in the next bubble!
1. Model appropriate communication strategies, starting with the basics. I like to teach these first: "I want...," "More," "All Done," "Hungry," and "Thirsty" if the child is just beginning their speech journey.

2. Pair your modeling with some form of prompt. Common prompts for learners with ASD are signs and visuals.

3. We want to minimize verbal prompting, as we don't want the child to simply have to mimic what you are saying. We want your child to see a prompt, realize what it means, and verbalize the correct use of language. Verbal prompts are okay at first, but we do not want to rely on them to teach communication. Pair a verbal prompt with another gestural or visual prompt, and slowly fade out the verbal prompt.

The goal of communicating this way is to eventually fade out the prompts entirely for the child to independently communicate. Look next door for an example of FCT in the home!]]> 2021-11-06 21:25:09 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872003430 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872014490 Below, the steps match the steps written in the FCT Training at Home bubble. I hope you follow along, and think of ways you can incorporate FCT in your home!

Scenario: Your child, Joe, is having a hard time asking for what he wants in the home with his sibling, Jen. He typically just takes the toys he wants and walks away with them, and his behaviors escalate if Jen takes the toys back.

1. Play with your children. Before you play, inform Jen that you will be teaching Joe how to ask for what he wants by showing him how to use his words. Let Jen know that you want her to be a good example, and ask for what she wants as well. When Joe comes to take a toy, interrupt his chain of thoughts before he can steal the toy. Loudly, say "Jen, I want the Legos." Jen will give you the legos. You have modeled asking for what you want with words.

2. Approach Joe with highly preferred items, and say something along the lines of, "Joe, when you want something from someone else, you need to use your words to let them know. Let's practice!" Be clear and specific with the exact words you want to teach Joe, and start small with "I want __." Pair these words with the ASL sign for "I want." Go back and forth with Joe, practicing saying "I want ___" and pairing it with the ASL sign.

3. In the home after practice, you notice Joe go up to Jen to take a toy. You interrupt this action by stepping in, signing "I want" in ASL, and not using words. Joe turns to Jen and says, "I want Lego."

4. Eventually, you stop stepping in. You may teach Jen to silently sign "I want," to prompt Joe, and with time, Joe knows how to independently tell Jen what toy he wants. Then, you can move on to shaping his communication by adding more words, such as "please," or "Can I have ___" with the same prompting strategies]]> 2021-11-06 21:37:18 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872014490 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872018536 1. Read, Read, Read! Different works from different artists can expose your child to so many new words. Fluctuate with tone and voice to match the author's intended effect and teach your child inflection. 

2. Narrate what your child is doing, even if the task is mundane, and label colors, textures, placement, and more whenever possible! For example, "I love it when you play safely with your shiny blue car inside your huge fort!"

3. Try your best to respond to your child's attempts to communicate with you every time, and remain positive when responding. If Joe messes up, you can say something like "I see that you want your toy! Let's try to ask for it again so that you can keep playing!"

4. Label things around your house with paper labels and visuals. For example, write "Desk" on a label for the desk, and "cereal" on the cereal box. 

5. Have fun. Show our child true, natural emotion and communication whenever you can. You are a huge model for your child, and therefore, you are such an important teacher! ]]> 2021-11-06 21:43:21 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872018536 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872020561 2021-11-06 21:46:16 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872020561 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872021121 2021-11-06 21:47:01 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872021121 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872022078 https://arcriverside.org/mpc-philosophy/

10:30 am to 1 pm on the 3^rd Saturday of the month, February through October at Fairmont Park in Riverside. Register through the link! It is 100% free to anyone who wishes to participate

]]> 2021-11-06 21:48:22 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872022078 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872023921 https://ieautism.org/events/

Here is a comprehensive calendar of all the events you can attend in the Inland Empire!]]> 2021-11-06 21:50:59 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872023921 007745589 https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872027028 https://dreambigchildren.com/center-aba/
Offers play sessions for $60/month, but it can be covered and funded by insurance or private funding! Ask what options are available to you. ]]> 2021-11-06 21:55:24 UTC https://padlet.com/007745589/6cd3fmta7fs1pgbx/wish/1872027028