Preparations
First, parents should get a child friendly timer/visual timer. A child friendly timer uses a pictorial format to indicate the passing of the time. Children can see the reduction in time clearly. Parents can purchase these timers directly on their phone. Digital (number based) timers are not suggested to start with as children may find it too abstract to understand. Powerful reinforcers which can motivate the child to practice should be on hand too.
details
First, parents should get a child friendly timer/visual timer. A child friendly timer uses a pictorial format to indicate the passing of the time. Children can see the reduction in time clearly. Parents can purchase these timers directly on their phone. Digital (number based) timers are not suggested to start with as children may find it too abstract to understand. Powerful reinforcers which can motivate the child to practice should be on hand too. First step: The child should understand that he needs to stop the timer before it rings. Parents can set the timer to 10 seconds and instruct the child to stop the timer before it goes off. If the child does not understand, parents should prompt the child directly. After the child has stopped the timer, parents should praise the child immediately and state clearly that he is “faster” than the timer and then deliver the reinforcer to the child.
Break down
- Simple tasks are recommended at the beginning stage such as tidying up a few pieces of blocks. These kinds of tasks are simple and parents can prompt the child easily.
- When the child understands that he/she is faster than the timer, parents can vary the tasks that they require the child to do. Parent should remember the tasks that they assign the child to do should be something that they have skills and be able to complete independently. If the child does not possess any of the skills to complete the tasks, then it should not be done in this practice.
- When the child understands being fast as a concept, parents can start to increase the duration or amount of work that they require the child to complete. In the beginning, the task may only require a few seconds to complete. Later on, the task may take a few minutes or longer. Our end goal is for the child to be able to complete tasks that they should do in their everyday routines or activities such as getting changed or brushing teeth before the timer rings.
- It is important for parents to use reinforcers at the beginning stage. When a good fast habit has been built, parents can start to fade the timer and the reinforcement.
Information provided by:
Kan Wong (Autism Partnership Program Director) |
Kan Wong Ms. Lai-Kan Wong is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and holds a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. She joined Autism Partnership in 2001 and began working as a Program Specialist. She is experienced in working with children across different settings including individual therapy session, small group training, and ABA classrooms. Ms. Wong has also helped training staff in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan office since 2005. She is now responsible for supervising individual cases, staff training, parent training, and overseas consultation. Kan also receives ongoing training and supervision from Dr. Ronald Leaf and Dr. John McEachin in the Los Angeles office. |
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[:zh]患有自閉症的孩子由於不能持續專注，很多時都不能獨立完成工作。 家長或老師往往需要不斷提示他們，以確保他們能完成工作或活動。例如當孩子換衣服時只穿了內褲便停止，需要家長提示他們才能繼續穿上外面的褲子。其實我們可以利用計時器這個小法寶去提升孩子這方面的專注力。
準備工作
首先，家長要準備一個視覺化計時器，這種計時器透過圖像讓孩子清楚看到時間減少。家長可以在不同的電話應用程式輕易找到這種計時器。數字計時器對沒有時間概念的孩子來說較為抽象難懂，所以不建議在起初階段使用。另外，家長也要準備令孩子有動機練習的強化物。當準備好後便可以開始練習。
訓練內容
第一步，孩子明白在時間完結之前要停止計時器。家長可調較計時器至十秒，然後告訴孩子要在計時器響鬧前按停。若孩子不明白，家長應提供直接輔助。當孩子按停計時器後，家長應立刻稱讚孩子能夠在計時器響鬧前按停，然後直接給予強化物。 當孩子明白第一個步驟之後，家長便可要求孩子進行一些簡單的工作，並要他們在工作完成之後直接按停計時器。若孩子未能在計時器響鬧前完成工作，家長應先清楚向孩子指出計時器已經響了，因工作太慢，所以不能得到強化物，然後要求他們從頭再嘗試。
訓練要領
- 我建議家長在起初階段選擇一些簡單的工作，例如收拾數個積木。因為這些工作不用太多技巧，家長亦能容易輔助他們。
- 當孩子明白要和計時器鬥快之後，家長便可以要求他們在有限時間內完成不同的工作。家長應緊記必須確保這些工作均是孩子能獨立完成的，否則便不要要求他們在特定時間內完成了。
- 當孩子掌握了要盡快完成工作的概念之後，家長便應慢慢增加孩子工作的份量，例如起初工作可以在數秒內完成，之後可慢慢加長至數分鐘。最後，家長可以泛化要求至日常生活的工作或活動，例如在計時器響鬧前穿好衣服或完成刷牙。
- 切記在初始階段的強化物是很重要的，但當孩子建立了專心而快速完成工作的習慣後，家長便可慢慢減少利用計時器及強化物。
資訊提供:
王勵勤 (Autism Partnership 行為分析治療總監) |
王勵勤 王勵勤小姐為國際認證行為分析師，擁有行為分析的碩士學位。於2001年加入AP, 為個別個案進行ABA訓練。 她經驗豐富且資歷甚廣， 負責個別治療、小組訓練及 ABA為基礎的教室。 自2005年起， 她致力培訓本地、新加坡及日本各級別的治療師及導師。 她現負責監督個別個案、治療師培訓、為各家長提供支援及海外諮詢服務。 她亦定期赴美國洛杉磯總部接受Ronald Leaf博士和John McEachin博士的培訓及持續進修。 |
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