Autism Behavior Article Summary

Autism Behavior Article Summary

Introduction

The study sought to develop essential aspects involved in managing the wellbeing of autistic children. Over the years, there have been different techniques that have been developed with a critical emphasis on improved childhood behavior. The focus of these interventions on human development has created a better platform within which it is possible to define improved behavior. However, the techniques that are used to deal with human behavioral challenges have decreased in the recent past, creating a different approach within which it is possible to attain improved child health. Autism has been an increasing problem among children; hence the study sought to define a scenario within which the situation can be controlled.  The major techniques that were identified include discrimination training, positive reinforcement, extinction, food deprivation, and hand shaping.

Background of the case

The case involves Dicky, who is a three and half-year-old. He was born from a middle-class family. He has one younger and two older female siblings who are normal. He normally developed until he was nine months when he started developing unique traits. Cataracts were discovered in lenses of both eyes at nine months. He had also begun developing other social problems such as severe temper and sleeping problems. Dicky underwent a series of operations leading to the removal of occluded lenses. It was recommended that wearing glasses was the best option for him. However, despite having the eye problem, his parents were unable to make him wear his glasses for almost a year. However, during this time, his parents also sought help from different specialists who tried to diagnose his behavior, which they thought that it was unique (Wolf et al., 1964,305).

Dicky was diagnosed differently from different specialists. The primary diagnosis included being mentally retarded, locally brain-damaged, and psychotic with a chance of other brain anomalies. The specialists came up with various recommendations that sought to help in providing an understanding of how best the conditions would be managed without compromising his health. One of the recommendations was that he be placed in an institution for the retarded considering that his prognosis was very poor. However, the placement of Dicky in such institutions meant that it was difficult to develop any alternative help considering the current situation and concerns ((Wolf et al.,1964,306).

He lacked social relationships, did not eat well, and had a profoundly destructive behavior such as head banging, head-slapping, face scratching, and hair-pulling. Restraints, tranquilizers had been used without much success. This meant that there was a need to focus on a more transparent approach that would help in improving personal wellbeing. Different operations were identified to help in enhancing his wellbeing while also focusing on ensuring that he would wear classes because he was losing his eyesight.

Thus in helping maintain a proper emphasis on improved outcomes based on the Child situation, different approaches were defined, which focused on creating a more structured process for improved behavioral development. At the age of three, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Change of environment and overall operational change were initiated to help understand different elements that were being implemented at the time and focused on better outcomes. Thus after effectively assessing the situation and understanding the changes that could help improve Dicky’s behavior, a response intervention was developed.

Interventions

Different approaches were developed with a transparent approach in helping deal with distinct behavioral issues that the child was suffering from in a more interactive process.  Therefore the underlying issues that were being assessed included temper tantrums, sleeping problems, wearing glasses, throwing of glasses, and verbal behavior.

Temper tantrums

The underlying consideration that was being made focused on the thought that tamper tantrums become extinct with time. However, based on the ward environment under which the patients were being observed, it was difficult to conclude that the behavior will become extinct. Thus the intervention that was adopted was a combination of extinction and mild punishment. The mild punishment was aimed at controlling the behavior through positive reinforcement. With each tantrum, he was placed in his room contingent while the door remained closed until the behavior ceased. A chart was drawn to help in monitoring the situation by maintaining close contact with the patient. The procedure was observed as having attained better outcomes (Wolf et al.,1964, 306).

By the beginning of the third month,  episodes of tantrums that lasted for more than five minutes began to subside, which showed that a trip to the room where the patient was being observed was seen as a more social process.  This was mainly based on the consideration that Dicky was associating his presence in the room as being a negative factor that influences outcomes. His contact with family increased, which played a significant role in defining a more reliable approach in maintaining improved outcomes (Wolf et al.,1964, 307).

Bedtime tantrums

Handling of his sleeping problems was being handled similarly. He was put to bed, and the door remained open. When he woke up, he would be taken back to bed, and the door closed. This created an association between waking up and closing the door. The development of the stimuli, in this case, provided a different perception of specific factors that present a more organized behavior. However, the first nights were extremely violent, considering that the mind had only learned of a single way to solve issues, which was by use of violence (Wolf et al.,1964, 308). However, with time, there was reduced violence with a different approach, which helped in maintaining a highly specific focus on behavioral change and positive wellbeing. There was a significant change on the sixth night when he was tucked to sleep. He did not wake up. This was mainly explained by the fact that he was learning new positive behavior, which was crucial for enhancing his overall personality and change in the behavioral trait.

Wearing glasses

Shaping was the most effective method that was utilized in this case. The shaper was instructed to spend two or three twenty-minute sessions within the child. Toys and bites of candy characterized the initial sessions. The shaper began with empty glass frames, which were used in helping create a favorable environment where it would be easier to incorporate the prescribed glasses. The procedure was conducted in three broad steps.  This approach was necessary, considering that prescription glasses had a different view from view without glasses, which influenced his decision to remove them (Wolf et al.,1964, 310). Thus ensuring that the processes were done gradually was essential in helping create a level of organization. However, the procedure was made even more complicated, considering that Dicky felt upset when his head was touched. However, the procedure was relatively slow, which was attributed to the inexperienced attendant and imprecise nature of the shaping procedure that was being utilized.

Verbal behavior

Verbal attending was being undertaken with a clear view of the issues that were being addressed. Solving vernal behavior was being undertaken with a clear emphasis on the need to ensure that the glasses were not removed. Dicky did not have any socially appropriate behavior, which was essential in helping improve the level of focus. He had long and complex verbal chains, which made it difficult to develop a better approach to communication and interaction with others. Pictorials with interesting images that could attract the attention of the child were used. Developing stories from the pictures was a continuous process that was being undertaken.  The parents were reluctant initially, although they developed to focus on these key aspects, which played a central role in improving interaction (Wolf et al.,1964, 312).

Conclusion

The wellbeing of Dicky was based on a review of his behavior, which was considered as being a mental illness. The initial recommendation to take him to a mental institution was being made without a clear focus on the extent of the problem and the diverse interventions that were being developed. The components that were being identified in the study present an understanding of cognitive-behavioral development, which is crucial in influencing decision making. The mind plays a central role in the activities that we undertake. Thus it is vital to help outline a different level functionality within which it is easier to identify positive changes (Wood et al., 2016). Cognitive neuroscience investigates various aspects of cognition, including perception, attention, language, memory, decision, and problem-solving. Decision making and problem-solving are essential aspects that help maintain a positive platform within which it is possible to make an informed decision.

Reference

Wolf, M. M., Risley, T., & Mees, H. (1964). Application of operant conditioning procedures to the behavior problems of an autistic child. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1(2-4), 305-312.