Behavior Management Training 2009

Children with autism are more likely to show challenging behaviors, which affect their functioning at home, in school or the community. A proper understanding of the reasons for this behavior is necessary to develop effective strategies to handle it.

Behavior Management Training was a short course for professionals working with children with autism spectrum disorder, conducted over 8 weeks during July, August and September 2009. Melinda Pereira, Sethu's own in-house expert was the co-ordinator and main trainer. Giselle Lobo, a special educator, Anjali Nunes, our speech therapist and Dr. Nandita de Souza were the other resource people.

The trainees were given extensive information and hands on experience using research-proven principles of behavior modification, Several topics such as assessment of behavior, evolving a behavior management plan, curriculum development, communication therapies and the use of social stories were covered. Six psychologists completed the training and were able to help 6 preschool children with autism to obtain early intervention. The response of these children to the structured program was impressive, with most of them developing speech with communicative intent during the course of the 8 weeks training.