Creating a RICH Life

1. Creating a RICH Life Grandparents Autism Network September 21st , 2012 Dr. Erica R. Holding, BCBA-D

2. What we will cover: • Happiness Variables • The Rich Theory of Happiness • What to work on • Education Law • Transition Support Resources Overview

3. “Perhaps the most challenging intellectual task is to know where you are going.” –T.J.K. The “R. I. C. H. Theory”The Promotion of Happiness

4. In this Theory, Psychological Health is defined as being synonymous with happiness. The Jesuit Monk…Cross-Cultural Study -Asked Mothers, “what do you hope most for your child when they grow up?” (personal communication with Dr. Kehle, March 2012) The Rich Theory

5. What do you hope most for your grandchild when they grow up?

6. “Less than 3% of the variance in happiness or subjective well being can be attributed to the commonly assumed environmental variables…” (Kehle & Bray, 2004) Happiness Variance

7. Less than 3%! • Socioeconomic Status • Educational attainment • Family Income • Marital Status • Religious Commitment (Kehle & Bray, 2004) Environmental Variables

8. Happy Individuals have four characteristics • These characteristics are interrelated • Encompass all possible reinforcers • Relatively attainable by all individuals • Improvement in one area, results in the improvement of the other 3 (Kehle & Bray, 2004) The RICH Theory

9. Resources • Intimacy • Competency • Health R. I. C. H.

10. The appropriate allocation of resources results in a feeling of independence. • Synonymous with a sense of personal freedom • Sense of control of one’s time and daily life (Kehle & Bray, 2004) RESOURCES

11. Intimacy = Friendship • Empathy • Appreciation & • Enjoyment -of a friend’s company -requires the ability to initiate and maintain a relationship (Kehle & Bray, 2004) INTIMACY

12. The consequence of being competent relative to some standard. • Attributed to one’s own abilities • It is the consequence of having resources, enjoying intimacy, and physical health (Kehle & Bray, 2004) COMPETENCE

13. Not only an awareness of practices that are conducive to physical health, but engaging in these practices regularly. (Kehle & Bray, 2004) Just because you know it, doesn’t mean you do it!!!! *this includes mental health as well HEALTH*

14. HAPPINESS A RICH LIFE *An improvement in any one, results in an improvement of the remaining three (Kehle & Bray, 2004)

15. An Example: Studies have shown that… “If individuals confined in homes for the aged are given increased independence, as simple as being able to plan their routines, select their own diet, or to choose whether or not they have a glass of wine at dinner, the quality of their friendships, feelings of competence, and health also improves (Kehle, 1999). A RICH LIFE *An improvement in any one, results in an improvement of the remaining three (Kehle & Bray, 2004)

16. For anyone who cares for an individual on the spectrum, support should be focused on: • Promoting movement toward independence • Establishing intimacy or friendships • Experiencing the satisfaction of competence in some area • and enjoying physical health A RICH LIFE

17. Being happy is not about academics, it is true when working with our children throughout their lives and doesn’t just start in adulthood. We should start working on skills in these areas as early as possible in a child’s life: A RICH LIFE

18. Problem solving skills • Follow through on tasks to completion • Resiliency- not giving up in the face of difficulty or disappointment • Creating competence in any area • Help your child believe in their potential by allowing them to pick themselves up after failure • Do this when the stakes are low! –practice strengthens Character! And Confidence!!!! -be wary of learned helplessness A RICH LIFE

19. So, How do you as grandparents help to ensure that your grandchild can have a “RICH” life? A RICH LIFE

20. You guys face significant and unique difficulties and often have to walk a fine line!!! Do you want to see your grandkids during the holidays? Be a part of their lives? Support your grandchild’s efforts through careful guidance and by creating opportunities for building independence A RICH LIFE

21. The importance of getting a skinned knee… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Rdy3-pj-Y&feature=related • Remember that to “Rescue” or to always do for is to debilitate not empower! A RICH LIFE

22. Why did I show that video? • ALL Children must experience failure so they can learn how to cope with failure- “helicopter mom” I don’t like this but in a way, it aptly captures a parents struggle especially when a child has a diagnosis • The best teacher of success a lot times is failure! –perseverance, resiliency, etc. are necessary to be successful as an adult A RICH LIFE

23. “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” –Thomas Edison If you feel, “but his/her life is already so hard, he has x,y,z….” and try to make things easier for him/her you are creating a very dependent child going in to adulthood… A RICH LIFE

24. Your grandchild will need to see themselves as a competent and independent young adult- this needs to start happening as young as possible! –Gently help your son or daughter focus on their child’s growth, their strengths, be a support that always clearly sees reality, but is a cheerleader for your grandchild’s successes • No matter what your grandchild’s functioning level, they can and will gain skills and they can have a happy and fulfilling life! A RICH LIFE

25. Start early! • Let your son or daughter focus on the academics, you can focus on Adaptive Skills!!! Life Skills- gain competence in caring for themselves • Teach Adaptive Behaviors or Life Skills - Adaptive Skills Lead to Independence AND Happiness! What can I do?

26. In a group of 20 adolescents with Asperger Syndrome, Green, et al. (2000) found that despite a mean IQ of 92 only half were independent in most basic self care skills including brushing teeth, showering, etc. None were considered by their parents as capable of engaging in leisure activities outside of their home, traveling independently, or making competent decisions about self-care Peter F. Gerhardt (2012). Bridges to Adulthood for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Planning or Lives of Competence & Quality. Invited Presentation at Regional Center of Orange County, Santa Ana, CA. Adaptive Behavior and ASD

27. Shifting from Academics to Adaptive Behavior, when should this start? Really right from the beginning! In HF Autism Spectrum, adaptive behavior isn’t really talked about: …“He’s really smart, he will be fine.”… Adaptive Behavior

28. What adaptive behaviors are necessary to be taught? And When? ….How about now? The areas where you can help the most…

29. Independent Living Skills

30. Independent Living Skills Personal Hygiene • Grooming • Showering/Bathing • Oral Hygiene • Sleep Housekeeping • Cleaning • Trash/Recycling • Maintenance • Laundry Safety • Knowledge about police/fire contacts • Emergency Preparedness Meal Planning/Cooking • Grocery Shopping • Operation of kitchen appliances and tools • Food storage • Food preparation

31. Independent Living Skills Health Care • Scheduling doctor/dentist appointments • Medication information • Obtaining refills • Asking appropriate questions Mobility • Public transportation • Driving • Car insurance Finances • Paying bills • Managing a monthly budget • Using debit/credit cards • Taxes • SSI

32. Independent Living Organization and time management challenges Mastering skills to be independent

33. CLE-Independent Living Skills Inventory

34. So what can and should you help your children with that will help your grandchild the most? • Basic Self-care skills • Tooth brushing • Bathing • Dressing • Leisure activities- broaden their experiences • Chores around the house • Bonnie’s example…. “This weekend we went to ….. And ______ helped me __________________. • Navigating in the community • Exercise! Adaptive Behavior and ASD

35. How and Where? • In the grocery store • At home • In the car • At the Park • In the community • What are some Life Skills that you have had success in teaching your grandchild? How and where did you teach it? Adaptive Behavior and ASD

36. What else can you focus on? • Choice Making • Decision Making • Problem Solving • Goal Setting • Self-regulation/management • Self-advocacy/leadership …through every day life experiences

37. Executive Functioning Executive Functioning Or, Dysfunctioning

38. Executive Functioning What are executive functions? • Keeping track of time • Asking for help when necessary • Multi-tasking • Planning and organizing projects • Engaging in group dynamics • Generating and evaluating ideas

39. Let’s review the Adolescent Autonomy Checklist

40. Regardless of Functioning level, we can… • Help your grandchild develop competence in at least one area of their life if not more as early as possible. • Help your grandchild be able to have a friend through developing friendship skills as early as possible • Help your grandchild develop skills to learn take care of their own health as early as possible • Help your grandchild develop skills around independence as early as possible Functioning Level?…

41. Life After Graduation?

42. Educational Issues: There are different laws that are in effect after high school that you should be aware of: • Please see handout with the Comparison Chart on IDEA, and Section 504 available in HS and the ADA that takes effect after High School • Be aware that it may be beneficial for your grandchild to delay graduation until age 22 to take advantage of these laws. • Post-Secondary and Vocational resources- There are many and more developing every day. • The next 5 slides provides a few links to explore: Additional Resources

43. Entitlement vs. Eligibility

44. Entitlement vs. Eligibility cont’d Collected from the Academic Success Program for Students with LD/ADHD www.unc.edu/asp

45. Transition Tool Kit | Family Services/Tool Kits | Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org/family.../tool-kits/transition-tool-kit The Autism Speaks Transition Tool Kit was created to serve as a guide to assist families on the journey ... Anyone can download the Transition Tool Kit for free! Why A Transition Plan? - Legal Matters to Consider - Self-Advocacy - Housing Youth Transition Toolkit | A Guide for Young People in California ... Additional Resources

46. www.tknlyouth.info/ A comprehensive guide for young people in California with disabilities transitioning to adulthood. Charting a Course for the Future - A Transition Toolkit www.cde.state.co.us › ... › Special Education Home Charting a Course for the Future - A Transition Toolkit. Numerous follow-up and follow-along studies of youth with disabilities in areas such as employment, ... Additional Resources

47. National Standards and Quality Indicators: Transition Toolkit for ... www.nasetalliance.org/toolkit/ The National Standards and Quality Indicators: Transition Toolkit for Systems Improvement (herein referred to as the Transition Toolkit) combines the findings of ... [PDF]Transition Toolkit - National Alliance for Secondary Education and ... www.nasetalliance.org/docs/TransitionToolkit.pdf Additional Resources

48. File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick ViewSecondary Education and Transition sees the Transition Toolkit as an evolving document, requiring ... Standards and Indicators found in this Transition Toolkit. Transition Toolkit 2.0 www.neglected-delinquent.org/.../toolkits/transition_200808.a...Share This second edition of NDTAC's Transition Toolkit brings together strategies, existing practices, and updated resources and documents on transition to enable ... [PDF]LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION TOOL KIT www.nhspecialed.org/.../Transition_Tool_Kit_w_IEP.pdf Additional Resources

49. File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick ViewTransition Tool Kit—The Parent Information Center ………. 1 ………. 2 ………. ... this Tool Kit, we use the term transition plan in the IEP to describe the transition ... FosteringConnections.org | Resources www.fosteringconnections.org/resources?id=0009Share The Foster Club Transition Toolkit includes an overview of the skills, knowledge and resources needed for young people leaving foster care to prepare for life on ... Additional Resources

50. Day in the life of a CLE student.mov A CLE student shares about her life at CLE A Day in the Life of a CLE student