Managing the Cycle of Meltdowns for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This Book′s Seven-phase Model, Which Is Similar To Positive Behavior Support, Helps Teachers Pinpoint Specific Behaviors, Develop Interventions At Each Phase, And Create An Individualized Behavior Support Plan. Managing The Cycle Of Meltdowns For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder-front Cover -- Managing The Cycle Of Meltdowns For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder -- Contents -- Foreword -- Acknowledgments -- Publisher's Acknowledgments -- About The Authors -- Introduction -- Section 1: A Model For Meltdown Behavior Of Students With Asd -- Chapter 1: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Overview -- Deficits In Social Interactions -- Deficits In Verbal And Nonverbal Communication -- Restricted, Repetitive Patterns Of Behavior, Interests, And Activities -- Atypical Responses To Sensory Experiences -- Deficits In Cognitive Abilities -- Physical And Emotional Health -- Motor Skill Difficulties -- Chapter Summary -- Chapter 2: The Nature Of Meltdowns -- Two Examples Of Meltdown Behavior -- Preliminary Observations -- Detailed Analyses -- The Classroom Set-up -- Teacher-student Interactions -- The Role Of Triggers, Asd Characteristics, And Agitation -- Functions Of The Behavior -- Escalating Behavior Chains -- Follow-up -- The Meltdown Cycle -- Working Definition Of A Meltdown -- Distinction Between Meltdowns And Tantrums -- Critical Features Of A Meltdown -- Need For A New Model -- Chapter Summary -- Chapter 3: A Six-phase Model Of The Meltdown Cycle -- Background On Model Development -- Model For Describing The Meltdown Cycle For Students With Asd -- Phase I: Calm -- Description Of The Calm Phase -- General Behavioral Descriptor -- Illustrations -- Phase Ii: Triggers -- Description Of The Trigger Phase -- List Of Common Triggers -- General Behavioral Descriptor -- Illustrations -- Phase Iii: Agitation -- Increases In Behavior -- Decreases In Behavior -- General Behavioral Descriptor -- Illustrations -- Phase Iv: Meltdown -- General Behavioral Descriptor -- Illustrations -- Phase V: Re-grouping -- General Behavioral Descriptor -- Illustrations. Phase Vi: Starting Over -- General Behavioral Descriptor -- Illustrations -- Summary Checklist Of Phases In The Meltdown Cycle -- Behavior Support Plan -- Case Studies -- Chapter Summary -- Section Ii: Strategies For Managing The Phases Of The Meltdown Cycle -- Chapter 4: Calm Phase -- Manage The Physical Environment -- Address The Sensory Issues -- Adjustments For Auditory Stimulation -- Adjustments For Visual Stimulation -- Adjust For Tactile Stimulation -- Adjust For Gustatory And Olfactory Stimulation -- Adjust For Proprioceptive And Vestibular Stimulation -- Provide Visual Supports -- Visual Supports That Provide Structure -- Visual Supports For Transitions And Change -- Use Visual Supports For Managing Emotions And Behaviors -- Develop A Visual Support System -- Resources -- Provide Peer Support -- Conduct Peer Awareness Training -- Develop Peer Networks -- Incorporate Peer Tutoring -- Establish Expectations And Rules -- Schoolwide Rules -- Classroom Expectations -- Specific Classroom Rules -- Selecting The Rules -- Systematically Teach The Rules -- Illustration -- Implement Routines -- Provide A Practical Schedule -- Deliver Instruction -- Instructional Challenges -- Present Information One Modality At A Time -- Keeping Students On Task -- Curriculum Intervention -- Chapter Summary -- Chapter 5: Trigger Phase -- Modify The Environment For Sensory Overload And Sensory Cravings -- Provide Visual Supports -- Prepare For The Unexpected -- Develop And Rehearse Plan B -- Rehearse For Novel Situations -- Respond Quickly To Surprises -- Systematically Vary Routines -- Prime Desired Behaviors -- Precorrection -- Behavior Rehearsal -- Behavioral Momentum -- Adapt Instruction -- Maintain The Flow Of Instruction -- Increase Opportunities To Respond -- Ensure Fast Pacing -- Provide Necessary Prompts -- Shape Responses -- Intersperse Tasks. Chapter Summary -- Chapter 6: Agitation Phase -- Strategies For Defusing Agitation -- 1. Know The Student -- 2. Assess Teacher Or Adult Response -- 3. Develop Understanding -- 4. Use Empathy -- 5. Help The Student Focus -- 6. Provide Space -- 7. Provide Assurances And Additional Time -- 8. Permit Special Interest Activities -- 9. Schedule Buffer Breaks -- 10. Use Teacher Proximity -- 11. Schedule Independent Activities -- 12. Employ Passive Activities -- 13. Use Movement Activities -- 14. Use Self-management Approaches When Appropriate -- 15. Establish Relaxation Centers -- 16. Provide Physical Contact As Appropriate -- Checklist And Action Plan -- Tracking Results -- Chapter Summary -- Chapter 7: Meltdown Phase -- Critical Perspectives -- Putting Safety First -- Understanding That Meltdowns Will Run Their Course -- Understanding That Meltdowns Are Not Tantrums -- Using Restraint Judiciously -- Essential Prerequisite Steps -- Step 1: Obtain Parent Approval -- Step 2: Arrange Professional Preparation For Staff -- Step 3: Arrange Preparation For Office Staff And Administration -- Step 4: Follow School Policies And The Iep -- Step 5: Ensure Classroom And Schoolwide Readiness -- Step 6: Prepare The Students -- Checklist And Action Plan -- Intervention Steps -- Step 1: Guide The Student To The Safe Place -- Step 2: Implement Supportive Measures -- Step 3: Manage More Than One Meltdown At A Time (as Needed) -- Step 4: Identify Signs Of Meltdown Recovery -- Step 5: Document The Meltdown Incident -- Checklist And Action Plan -- Chapter Summary -- Chapter 8: Re-grouping Phase -- Critical Perspectives -- The Transition Is An Incremental Process -- The Transition Will Run Its Course -- Behavioral Responses To Probes Are The Key -- Behavioral Indicators That A Meltdown Is Ending -- Reduction In Behavioral Intensity -- Beginning Responses To The Environment. Intervention Steps -- Description Of The Transition Model -- Design Of The Interaction Probes -- Implementation Of Progressive Interaction Probes -- Checklist And Action Plan -- Chapter Summary -- Chapter 9: Starting-over Phase -- Step 1: Provide A Strong Emphasis On Scheduled Activities -- Step 2: Focus On Scheduled Transitions -- Step 3: Develop A Debriefing Plan -- Step 4: Shape Sensory Reactions -- Step 5: Heighten The Emphasis On Skill Building -- Step 6: Develop A Behavior Support Plan -- Clarification Of Approach -- Behavioral Assessment -- Identification Of Specific Strategies -- Application To Case Studies -- Checklist And Action Plan -- Chapter Summary -- Chapter 10: The Parent Component -- Benefits Of Parent-teacher Collaboration -- Challenges In Building Parent-teacher Partnerships -- Negative History With Schools -- Use Of Technical Language -- Feeling Blame -- Condescending Attitude -- Inflexibility Or Insensitivity In Scheduling Meetings -- Unreasonable Expectations -- Use Of Medication -- Dealing With Outbursts And Mending Bridges -- Steps For Building Parent-teacher Partnerships -- Step 1: Build Trust -- Step 2: Involve Parents In The Plan -- Step 3: Overcome Logistical Constraints For Parents And Team Members -- Step 4: Establish Ongoing Communication -- Step 5: Monitor Teacher-parent Interactions -- Step 6: Support The Parents In Implementing The Home Program -- Step 7: Track Results -- Step 8: Celebrate Progress -- Step 9: Provide Professional Support To Parents -- Step 10: Develop Home-based Component Of Behavior Support Plan -- Chapter Summary -- Closing Remarks -- Appendices -- Appendix A. Summary And Checklist For Behaviors Of Each Phase In The Meltdown Cycle (form 3.1) -- Appendix B. Behavior Support Plan (form 3.2) -- Appendix C. Organization Of Classroom Space (form 4.1). Appendix D. Checklist Of Adjustments For Sensory Issues (form 4.2) -- Appendix E. Steps For Developing A Visual Support System (form 4.3) -- Appendix F. Plan For Teaching Classroom Expectations To Elementary Students (form 4.4) -- Appendix G. Plan For Teaching Classroom Expectations To Secondary Students (form 4.5) -- Appendix H. Checklist And Action Plan For Defusing Agitation (form 6.1) -- Appendix I. Checklist And Action Plan For Pre-requisite Steps In Managing Meltdowns (form 7.1) -- Appendix J. Incident Report For A Meltdown (form 7.2) -- Appendix K. Checklist And Action Plan For Intervention Steps In Managing A Meltdown (form 7.3) -- Appendix L. Probes For The Re-grouping Phase Across Spectrum Levels (form 8.1) -- Appendix M. Checklist And Action Plan For Re-grouping Phase (form 8.2) -- Appendix N. Checklist And Action Plan For Starting Over (form 9.1) -- References -- Index.