Special Education Family Newsletter
APRIL 2022
It's All About the Mand!
With Love From Your CISD Autism Team
As we enter the month of April and begin to celebrate the amazing community of individuals with Autism, we thought it would be appropriate to reflect on a highly important component of communication.
According to the NIMH, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life.
As educators we are charged with teaching our students to be effective communicators. When you are able to effectively communicate your wants and needs, windows of opportunity open up to you.
Where to start?...The Mand.
What is a mand? Common Terms:
- · Request
- · Asking for Something
- · A Question
- · Demanding
- · Inquiring
- · Commanding
Teaching students to make request is central focus in our educational programming. We discuss with our peers (other educators) the need to develop a mode of communication (vocal speech, sign, augmentative device, etc.) for all learners and focusing on teaching mands.
The mand requires:
- · Social Approach and Initiation
- · Interactions with Other People as Having Value
- · Flexible and Specific Verbal Responses (communication)
Simply said, a mand is a request…we ask for something we want.
“Want it, say it, get it”
- · Antecedent: Want it (motivation)
- · Behavior: Saying what you want
- · Consequence: Getting what you want
Examples:
Hungry, Say, “Banana,” Someone gives you a banana
Need door opened, Ask for key, Someone gives you the key
Lost, Ask for directions, Someone gives directions
The mand repertoire is essential for early language learners. It increases the probability of obtaining access to specific items, activities, actions, information, etc. when access to those desired stimuli is delivered or controlled by another person.
Individuals with limited abilities to request their wants and needs often exhibit disruptive behaviors in order to gain access to these wants/needs.
So, manding is where is all begins. In addition, manding helps establish the reciprocal speaker and listener roles that are essential for increasing verbal competence. The benefits of mand training can be life changing for children and families.
Manding opens doors of communication and will start to make language functional for individuals. Mands help the individual control their environment and interactions and makes social interactions more valuable.
According to, Albert, et. al., 2012, Motivation in manding and developing new reinforcers can reduce value of repetitive/stereotyped actions. Mand training leads to acquisition of other verbal operant. Should be easy and for all involved!!!
It’s All About the Mand!
Imagination Texas
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sibshop
Tuesday, April 5th
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Crowley Middle School
The siblings who attend our Sibshops are a great bunch of kids! They have fun playing games and really connecting when talking about having a brother or sister with special needs. If you have a child (age 8-14) who might be interested, register here
Adult Day Programs Parent Preview Day
grupo para padres de habla hispana
lunes, 25 de abril de 2022
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Por favor planee asistir a nuestro grupo para padres de habla hispana cuyos hijos asisten al Programa de Educación Especial de Crowley ISD y les gustaría conocerse y apoyarse mutuamente. Hilda Ccoa estará al frente del grupo. Puede unirse a la reunión en persona o virtualmente a través de ZOOM.
En persona: June W. Davis escuela
6301 Rockrose Trail
Fort Worth, TX 76123
o Haga clic para unirse virtualmente:
https://crowley-k12-tx-us.zoom.us/j/81337173501
Meeting ID: 813 3717 3501
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS
Sensory Explorations at Amon Carter Museum
Saturday, April 9th
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Amon Carter Museum
3501 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Sensory Explorations is a free program for families with children of all ages who are on the autism spectrum. While the needs of individuals with autism are the focus of this program, it is also intended to be fun for parents, siblings (of all ages), and other relatives!
This month the focus is on artworks that include words. Families will explore artworks in the galleries and get creative during a hands-on, art-making experience!
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation may be provided during this event upon advance request.
TWEEN AUTISM SOCIAL GROUP
FEAT-NT’s “tween” social group is for children grades 3rd through 8th grade with high functioning autism/Asperger’s. This program, called Connecting Cool Kids, provides social games and snacks (sometimes dinner).
This non-clinical, parent run, social group focuses on the skills necessary to have a friend over to play – greeting, sharing, turn taking, staying with a friend, flexibility in how a game or activity is done. Parents are required to stay and work with their child and/or group to help them engage and have a meaningful social experience. Neurotypical siblings are welcome as well – but we ask that they do not plan on participating in the events 100% of the time; please have a plan to keep them occupied that will not distract the Tween Activities.
We ask for a suggested donation of $5 per person, or $10 per family eating to cover food and drinks and can be given upon arrival. The first and second meeting will have gluten and dairy free snacks until we can discuss as a group options for pizza including dietary needs for future meetings.
WHERE:
The FEAT-NT Resource Center & Library
7286 Glenview Drive
Richland Hills, TX 76180
WHEN:
2nd Tuesday of every month for the following dates
(we will reassess in September 2022 based on interest)
Dates:
April 12th
May 10th
June 14th
July 12th
August 9th
September 13th
Time: 7:00-8:15 pm
PLEASE RSVP:
For Questions, Please Email featnorthtexas@gmail.com
PHOTO GALERY
NCHS Students Visit Navarro College
Fun at Burleson Friends Festival
Ms. Rutherford's Students Celebrate Their Uniqueness
Adult Transition Students Learning Graphic Design at CTE
P.A.L.S. Students Developing Speech, Language & Social Skills
Crowley ISD Special Education
Email: donna.heim@crowley.k12.tx.us
Website: https://www.crowleyisdtx.org/Domain/115
Location: 512 Peach Street, Crowley, TX, USA
Phone: 817.297.5300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CISDspecialeducation