Autism Gist with Adelola

Estate planning is the preparation of tasks that serve to manage an individual's asset base in the event of their incapacitation or death. Estate administration... involves gathering the assets of the estate, paying the decedent's debts, and distributing the remaining assets. For some families with a child with special needs, estate planning and administration often poses as a major challenge. This is true whether the child with special needs is still a minor or an adult. These parents are sometimes troubled with the question of how their estates will be utilized to enhance and enrich the life of their child with special needs after their demise. On this episode, we will take a close look at the challenges and possible solutions to estate planning and administration in respect of families with special needs. Join me and two special guests, on Sunday, 15th of November 2020, at 4 PM WAT (11 AM EST; 3 PM GMT) on Episode 43 of " " as we discuss the : . Platforms: Facebook, www.cacademy.sch.ng and our YouTube channel: http://bit ly/CAcademyTV

Our love is with you at this time, especially if you are in Nigeria. We hope you are safe. While we can't support you in case of any trauma due to the happenings in the past days, we know that @mentallyawareng and @covenantccentre have free services to support on issues relating to mental health. (Check pictures).... However, if you just want to talk, even if it's about caring for your child while being forced to work from home, we are just a dm away. Our prayers are with you and all Nigerians at this time.

Our heart bleeds for Nigeria right now. Our prayers are with the bereaved and those in the hospitals. We also pray for mercy, peace and judgement. #EndSARS #ENDPOLICEBRUTALITY #EndBadGoveranceInNigeria #Massacre

#ENDSARS #ENDPOLICEBRUTALITY #SpecialNeeds #Autism

Placing boundaries on vocal self-stimulation! Vocal stimming (sounds not words) can occur for a variety of reasons. Depending upon the vocalizations, if it has ...a rhythmic pattern to it, many children simply enjoy the sound of the vocalizations. Some children enjoy the vibration they feel from vocalizing and the cause and effect from being able to control the rhythmic pattern of stimulation. And then for other children, vocal stimming can be used to calm the child when over-aroused, and alert the child when under-aroused. It can occur when they are over-excited or again when bored. It is used to calm and organize the nervous system. It can also be a coping skill for blocking out unwanted stimulation. I find that vocal stimulation is often just an enjoyable rhythmic pattern that is fun to produce, listen to, and feel. It is predictable and easy for the child to control. In some cases where the vocal stimming is repeating words or phrases, it can also be a way for the child to practice saying words in fun patterns. Self-stimulation is one of those behaviors that is not inherently bad but maybe annoying or interfering at certain times and under certain conditions. For example, it may be fine to vocal stim at home, but not at the movies. It is not the behavior itself that is bad, just undesirable at certain times and places. What you want to do is teach the child under what conditions it is allowable (at home, when alone, etc.), and which conditions it is not allowed (classroom, movies, group activities, etc.). Help the child learn when it is allowable, and when and where it is not appropriate. You don’t have to stop the behavior, teach when and where it is appropriate. 1. Make a few rules around engaging in the vocal stem. You might want to write a social story around when it is appropriate and when it is not. Make sure to acknowledge and validate the importance the stimming has for the child while teaching him when and where it is appropriate. 2. Review these rules frequently, especially before entering events where vocal stimming is not acceptable. Let him know when it is not acceptable, but also when and where it will be allowed. If the setting or activity has a place and time for which the child can engage in the stimming, then review that with him. 3. At the times when vocal stimming is not appropriate, try and provide an oral substitute like chewing gum. If you frequently use chewing gum, then it can become a cue that When I chew gum, I do not stim. Tell the child to chew instead of vocalizing. Stay close by and periodically praise the child for not stimming. If the child starts to stim, calmly redirect him to stop and chew his gum instead. If the child is older you might want to use a gestural cue like putting your finger up to your mouth to signify "stop stimming." If he stops, wait a minute and then praise him for not stimming. If he keeps stimming, "stop the action" until he stops, or briefly move him away from the fun activity until it stops. Over time the child learns when it is appropriate and when it is not appropriate to stim. However, I tend not to use punishment, only redirect and reinforce desired behavior. 4. When entering stressful situations, if the vocal stimming is used to either mask or avoid stimulation or to cope with being overwhelmed, then identify a safe area where the child can go to stim and regroup as needed. By very aware of your child’s state of being, and whether the vocalizing is for fun or coping with stress. Respect the need behind the stimulation before trying to suppress it. I usually try to attack an issue cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally. So, in this case you want to (cognitively) work with him in understanding the effect his behavior has on others (social story) as well as there is a time and place for stimming, recognize the (emotional or sensory) function the behavior serves for him, and try to provide an appropriate alternative behavior (chewing gum) to take its place. Many children on the spectrum are attracted to repetitive, rhythmic patterns. For them, the rhythmic sound and vibration, and the sense of controlling it is very inviting. For these children it holds strong sensory value for them. At the times when the vocal stim is allowable, try engaging in the vocal stimming with your child. Use it to engage with the child, imitating and animating his vocalizations. This shows the child you value what he is attracted to, and wish to share the experience with him. Once you have his interest, try to add little variations to it, and see if you can get him to copy you. Try to expand the pleasant vocalizations for greater enjoyment. We all have our own forms of self-stimulation (biting nails, playing with our hair, doodling, tapping our feet, humming, smoking, etc.), which serve the function of regulating our nervous system. Most self-stimulation, unless it is injurious, is functional and adaptive, and not inherently bad and something to suppress. However, over time, the child learns what self-stimulation is allowable in public and which stimming needs to occur in privacy. Never stop the behavior, without providing a substitute, and teach when and where it is appropriate. We will all live more comfortably while respecting each other’s individual needs. This series on Sensory Issues can be found in the blue book, Autism Discussion Page on the Core Challenges of Autism. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2