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Q: How do you measure generalization?

(originally posted April 2009)

A: I am often asked this question by teachers, parents, and clinicians who are trying to understand if the skills being taught to the child are meaningful. In other words, will the child be able to use these skills in their natural ... [more]

Christina Whalen

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	See this month's question: I am wondering about meltdowns ...

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Dr. Paula Kluth	Dr. Lynn Koegel & Dr. Robert Koegel	Dr. Pat Mirenda	Dr. Robert Naseef	Dr. Marion O'Brien


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*Featuring ...* Travis Thompson	Q: I am wondering about meltdowns. My son has PDD-NOS and is very verbal. He gets upset very quickly and easily. I find that I "walk on eggshells" more than I should in anticipation of his tantrums, even though I know that's feeding into the problem. What is your advice? (originally posted June 2009)
Travis Thompson, Ph.D., is a professor in the Autism Program of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine; a faculty affiliate of the University of Minnesota's Center on Neurobehavioral Development; and he serves as Supervising Psychologist for the Minnesota Early Autism Project, a community-based treatment program for young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Dr. Thompson has been involved in research, teaching, and clinical activities related to developmental disabilities and related topics for many years. He has seven grandchildren, including a grandson with ASD.	A: Meltdowns by children with autism occur for many reasons, most often in response to a request by parents or teachers, interruption of a highly preferred activity, denial of a request to do something that caregivers deem inappropriate, or at times in response to a disturbing or alarming situation. They can be aggravated by poor sleep or other health problems. The solution depends on what is precipitating a meltdown. Without knowing your child's age or other circumstances, it sounds as though his meltdowns occur following a request or denial of something he wants. If your son can avoid doing things you request of him by having a tantrum, then he will continue exhibiting meltdowns. If you give him access to an object or activity after having first denied him that activity or object in order to avoid his outburst, he will continue having meltdowns. If walking on eggshells means allowing your son to control most details of your family's everyday activities in order to avoid an outburst, then he will continue having meltdowns. The secret is to make very small innocuous requests and richly reward him for compliance. Tell him in advance the reward he will receive for compliance. Use positive language like, Be a good helper. Make sure you are asking him to do something that is easy for him to do. Ignore him when he has a meltdown. It will eventually stop. A denial that takes the form, You can watch the video when the timer rings works better than just saying, You can't watch the video. Practice making small changes in details of daily routines by telling him in advance there will be a small change today and describe the reward he will receive for tolerating changes without an outburst. The reward must be an immediate. Explanations, scolding, and reprimands usually do no good.	Be sure to explore these resources by Dr. Thompson Learn more about Dr. Thompson's work at http:travis-thompson.net. Read Dr. Thompson's Amazon blog.


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