RE: [VerbalBehavior] RE: Sleep Program - now OT

[Guest guest]

We just got some additional information. We received the report from my

son's sleep study, which showed his sleep problems are even more significant

than I realized. He had the sleep study because of nocturnal grand mal

seizures. Though he didn't have a grand mal seizure during the study, the

EEG showed that during the 5 hour study, he woke 117 times, about half of

which coincided with epileptiform activity. Here's the amazing part - he

never got out of bed that night, despite the 117 wakings. That certainly

makes me wonder how little he must be sleeping on those nights when he gets

out of bed repeatedly.

Thanks so much to all of you who replied. I think this might be something

that needs to be addressed medically at this point. Would welcome any

perspectives on that, if you have personal experiences to share.

Thanks,

Geraldine

_____

From: VerbalBehavior [mailto:VerbalBehavior ]

On Behalf Of Schramm

Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2007 3:27 AM

VerbalBehavior ;

Subject: Re: [VerbalBehavior] RE: [ ] Sleep Program

Hi Geraldine,

I did not see your ealier post but if you are using extinction for any

behavior, you have to expect that an extinction burst will occur. These

higher level attempts by the child to get to the reinforcement that is no

longer forthcoming need to be planned for. It sounds to me like the hugs and

use of the word " happy " are just extinction burst behaviors that your child

is attempting to regain the rienforcment lost due to the Extinction

procedure. The fact that these behaviors are occurring indicate to me that

you are likely on the correct path with extinction but that you need to

develop a plan to deal with these and any other extinction burst behaviors

that might occurr before the behavior reduction begins. If it is possible

for you to not react in reinforcing ways to the child during these

extinction burst behaviors, the extinction should begin to take effect.

_________________________________

Schramm, MA, BCBA

Author of Educate Toward Recovery:

Turning the Tables on Autism

www.lulu.com/knospe-aba

www.knospe-aba.com

_________________________________

[ ] Sleep Program

Any ideas for a stay-in-bed program for my son? I had a possible idea, but

it won't work because I can't come up with appropriate/ non-stimulating

primary reinforcers.

Thanks,

Geraldine