tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post8765929762955768936..comments2024-02-13T21:31:57.980-04:00Comments on Facing Autism in New Brunswick: Autism Newsflash - Neurodiversity and Autism DeficitsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05838571980003579163noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post-85416314235703497112007-10-14T11:54:00.000-03:002007-10-14T11:54:00.000-03:00Heraldblog, you word that nicely.Heraldblog, you word that nicely.Navihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04580741811662935801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post-57819166859303222242007-07-23T09:51:00.000-03:002007-07-23T09:51:00.000-03:00Steve D, thanks for clarifying. The "deficit model...Steve D, thanks for clarifying. The "deficit model" seems to draw upon a very solid principle of psychology, that all behavior has a reason behind it, and that understand the reason is the first step in modifying the behavior. Still, it's hard for some parents to wrap their heads around that idea without introducing value-based notions of good and bad. The deficit-based model is a scientific approach to treating and accommodating autistic children, and is best understood without such baggage.AutismNewsBeathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067342515765043878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post-83330572714044631922007-07-18T13:18:00.000-03:002007-07-18T13:18:00.000-03:00Mr. Doherty - Two things. First, you have totally...Mr. Doherty - <BR/>Two things. <BR/>First, you have totally misunderstood what I meant by "deficit model". You are taking it in a value-based sense - that the word deficit implies autistic behaviors are "bad". You, then, would be understanding my statement to mean that autistic behaviors are "good".<BR/>What it really means is that it may be a mistake to take any one defined "deficit", such as, for example, repetitive non-functional movements and view it in an isolated fashion with the intent to "eliminate" the deficit. <BR/>Instead, it was discussed that research on dynamic systems theories in biology may provide a better approach to understanding, then treating autistic behaviors.<BR/><BR/>Let's use your real example of Conor. A "deficit model" approach (at least my understanding of it), would take the behavior - Grabbing people from behind in a car - and use behavioral modification approaches to eliminate the behavior. That will work in some cases. My understanding of their point is that maybe there is a better solution to be found by looking at all of the systems at play in this case. Is Conor hungry or distressed and this is his attempt at communicating this feeling - by grabbing you? Did he see a deer on the roadside and is trying to get you to notice it too? I admit this is not a great list of examples, but I am no expert in this. The point is that there may be ways to improve our understanding of and resulting treatment of behaviors, and if we stick to the traditional model then new solutions will be difficult to find.<BR/>Does this help clarify anything?<BR/><BR/>Second - I am in no way associated with USD and am only writing my take - my opinion - of the content of their conference. My comments should be taken as such.Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10831843534657098189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post-31776590112717723382007-07-18T10:07:00.000-03:002007-07-18T10:07:00.000-03:00Thanks for raising awareness about autism.Yesterda...Thanks for raising awareness about autism.<BR/><BR/>Yesterday I came back from an appointment with my daughter's psychologist. She diagnosed my daughter with a Developmental Co-ordination Disorder. Basically, she's so klutzy and unable to do two things at a time, it has a name.<BR/><BR/>If my daughter would improve on this motor organization, her speech would improve enormously. Her potential would be unleashed.<BR/><BR/>How is it wrong to want to improve on that? My daughter is so anxious from being unable to co-ordinate her movement and speech that she shuts down. How is wrong to want to HELP her co-ordinate?<BR/><BR/>If a child who was NT had similar issues, no one would think twice about getting the kid some help. What makes autistic kids so "special" that they shouldn't get help?<BR/><BR/>The whole notion that we're doing something wrong for helping our kids makes me mad.Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15038275826830875246noreply@blogger.com