In-Home Behavior Therapy Resumed

Today we met with Mike, our new in-home behavior therapist. I think he's going to be really great. He came a noon today, and Raquel was overly tired and wanting to nap so he was able to observe a lot of the behaviors that are to be addressed. Each week, Mike will be giving us certain procedures that we will need to be consistent with throughout the week.

This week, my homework assignment is to implement a "Reward System" of sorts. The starting reinforcers are going to be: (1) Moose & Zee on Nick Jr (since they are one of her favorite things), (2) the swing, (3) the car, and (4) water. We will obviously be adding additional items as we develop the system. Mike wants me to take pictures of each of these items - similar to the PECS we were using - but to cut each picture in half like a puzzle. When Raquel does a behavior that she should be rewarded for, such as playing quietly, picking up toys, tapping my leg for attention, etc., I will give her one piece of the puzzle based on the activity I feel like doing, NOT what I think Raquel wants to do. When she is rewarded with the second piece for good behavior, we watch tv, play on the swing, go for a ride, or splash in the water. Mike specifically did not want "water" to be taking a bath and instead wants to keep that as part of our morning or bedtime routine. Again, whatever is the most convenient for ME.

This reward system is supposed to help Raquel learn what behaviors are acceptable and which ones aren't. And we are very soon only going to be acknowledging good behaviors. As Mike was observing me interact with Raquel during one of her episodes, I was saying, "Gentle hands" when she was hitting herself in the head. He said to no longer do that and instead to simply hold her hands preventing her from doing it, and to not make eye contact or use any vocal cues. By acknowledging what she was doing was reinforcing her to do it because she had what she wanted - all of my attention.

It's nice having some in-home help again and I look forward to meeting with him again next week and getting more input and ideas.