Happy Easter! Love, Lucas

ABA Update: Creating an Environment of Deprivation.

Last week, the ABA supervisor from Easter Seals came to evaluate Luki's progress with his ABA therapist.  This lady has had extensive field experience before being promoted to a supervisor and her recommendations show it.  This is the first time that I felt Pavlov's theory of reward system was even being hinted in order to illicit wanted behaviors during his therapy sessions.  Cindy, the supervisor, recommended creating an environment of deprivation of toys and then gradually coax him into desired behaviors and reward him with his wanted toys for said behavior behavior.  She told me and the therapist, Carol, to control the environment by blocking off his play area with a fence and putting away most of his toys, only leaving 1 or 2 out.  This seems like a brilliant idea but I am not sure if Lucas is cognitively able to show us the behaviors we want from him.  It's not that he doesn't want to, he just is not able.  I've noticed him taking his favorite tool box toy which I put away in the toy bin and carry it back to the coffee table where he is used to seeing and playing with.  If nothing else, I think this will help him to focus more on each toy that is laid out instead of getting distracted by too many toy options.  I created stations around the living room where he can play with different toys.  On the sofa, I have his music playing teddy bear and the race track;  on one corner, I arranged various musical books, and on the coffee table, I have his favorite tool box, a token shooting piggy and musical turtle.  I am planning on switching the toys around every other week.  

Another recommendation was to create picture cards of everyday objects for him to point at when he wants it.  I still haven't gotten around to making these laminated picture cards and don't particularly feel a rush for them as I am not sure he is able nor ready to communicate with these cards.  He started hand-over-hand communication when he wants the faucet water turned on.  This is the only communication so far, although he has started to pinch me which I think is his way of trying to communicate a want or need.  Once, he even bit my butt! I just don't know what exactly he is asking for, yet. The other day, Lucas bit his grandmother's knee at the mall. 

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Two weeks ago, we had a blast at a new children's play restaurant called Lemon Tree in Koreatown and Lucas had a great time.  It was very similar to Little Prince Cafe at Buena Park but they had a train ride every hour which kids absolutely seem to love. A bit expensive since we have to buy meals there but well worth the money.  Can't wait to go back soon.  It's also great physical therapy for Lucas as there are honeycomb designed climbing wall, slides, stairs... 

Lucas rides the choo choo train                              He like the merry-go-rounds!    

His favorite tool box back on the coffee table.                             He does hand over hand to communicate.