'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism

[Visionary7903]

I mentioned, in the post just above this one, the founder of Autism Movement Therapy (AMT) and developer of the aut-erobics DVD, Joanne Lara. From her early roots as a dancer, experiencing Autism first in college, Lara has become one of America’s leading experts in the use of music and dance to facilitate the development of cognitive awareness and communication skills.

In late 2010, Denise Gucwa’s School of Dance became the first dance studio in Pennsylvania to offer Autism Movement Therapy (AMT)…

…AMT is a combination of movement, music, and sensory integration to increase communication between both sides of the brain. Parents and siblings are encouraged to participate in the classes, which were started because of a desire for additional physical activities for kids with autism. Classes begin with swaying and bending and move on to a “loco motor segment that sends students skipping and running in varied patterns across the floor before returning to sit in a circle in the centre.” The center work gives each child a chance to lead the group in a movement or sound. Joanne Lara, AMT founder, certified [Denise] Gucwa and others via her intensive workshops that provide instruction in positive behavioral support, autism, and a movement/dance class with children with autism.

Indeed Joanne Lara emphasises the incorporation of Positive Behavior Support (PBS) when running AMT classes…

…Autism Movement Therapy Two Day Certification Workshop

…Day 2 -

…1:45- 3:00pm Power Point on Positive Behavior Support (PBS) & 4 Functions of Behavior [Applied Behavior Analysis] Guided collaboration practicum

Autism Movement Therapy : Positive Behavior Support (PBS)
Brief Description: People display behavior every second of the day by breathing, walking, running…dancing. The goal of is to redirect socially unacceptable behavior and teach replacement skills so that the participant will be successful. Positive Behavior Support emphasizes respecting, valuing, dignifying, understanding and listening to individuals that may display ‘behavior problems’.
Learning Outcomes:
1.) Participants will learn the 4 different functions of behavior for all individuals (Escape/avoidance, attention, tangible & sensory)
2.) Participants will learn Positive Behavioral Support strategies in order to provide appropriate learning environments that are supportive and creative for the individual at the same time…

I have already mentioned Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in several posts, for example this one on the work of Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness. Chessen combines exercise with ABA in his work. ABA can be defined as the science in which the principles of the analysis of behaviour are applied systematically to improve socially significant behaviour, and in which experimentation is used to identify the variables responsible for change in behaviour.

So what are the differences then between Positive Behavior Support and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? Here is one view of the differences…

…PBS and applied behavior analysis (ABA) share a foundation in the science of behavior. In fact, PBS has its roots in ABA. However, it has many additional features. These include:
1. Placing a high value on embracing person-centered planning approaches when addressing problem behaviors
2. Examining a broad range of variables affecting behavior
3. Making changes in natural life environments and multiple settings to influence behavior
4. Adopting non-aversive intervention techniques to help an individual change his/her behavior [PBS does not promote the use of punishment]
5. Focusing on producing positive changes in quality of life for the individual with problem behavior and his/her family…

(sources: Feature Programs | Autism Hangout;News: Dance Studio in Pennsylvania is First in State to Offer Autism Movement Therapy | Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy; Classes; http://www.txautism.net/docs/Guide/Interventions/PBS.pdf)