Re: research

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Posted By ---> A Son-Rise Message Board Participant on August 24, 1999 at 02:36:23:

In Reply to: research posted byRobyn on August 22, 1999 at 16:47:57:

Three cheers for you, Robyn, for being such a great teacher! I love hearing about teachers who take the time to learn about various approaches and how they can incorporate them into their classroom.

As far as I know, there have been no formal, scientific studies done on the effectiveness of the Son-Rise program but checking with the Son-Rise staff could help you know for sure. There is some literature on similar programs that take a more child-centered approach however these programs usually do not include what I think makes Son-Rise the most successful: the attitude with which you approach the child, putting human interaction/bonding ahead of all else and conveying the message that people are tremendously fun, helpful and worth getting to know. These keys would be highly beneficial in any environment, including a classroom.

As for negative effects, I've never heard of any. However, when some people running programs don't fully understand the program like they fully accept the child but forget to really challenge him or they get the challenging part but forget the acceptance, the child doesn't get the full benefit and time could be wasted. But that is true of any program. I did chuckle a bit at this question because it reminded me of when two doctors and a therapist cornered my husband and I when we were first "trying out" the Son-Rise approach and joining our son. For almost an hour, they tried to convince us that we'd cause irrepairable harm to our son by running with him. "He won't understand that it's ok to run at home but not at school." Talk about closed minds. I wish they could see him today around other kids. He's usually the most well-behaved, cooperative one in the bunch :).

As for your questions about ABA, there are alot of similarities between the two programs in that they are both intensive, one-on-one, believe in being highly observant of the child and really challenging the child with lots of appreciation. However, the overall view of the "therapist" or "facilatator" is different. With ABA, therapists tend to be very analytical, believing that they know best, they are in charge, any lack of cooperation by the child is viewed as plain non-compliance. The overall goal is to accomplish the drills and build skills believing that this will take the child to the point of fully participating and interacting. With Son-Rise, facilatators set themselves up as assistors for the child, human interaction and bonding take priority over all else and they are much more open to explore a wide range of possibilities/approaches. Lack of cooperation of the child is viewed as a sign to move elsewhere either joining the child or trying a different approach. The overall goal is to make people and life seem so appealing and rewarding that the child actively seeks out and enjoys learning and interacting with people.

I think it is possible to combine the two, if it is done right. Once we had Curtis' attention and motivation, we began using some of the ABA-type of drills to help him with concepts and tasks that really challenge him. We're always very careful to do the drills in a game-type of format which makes them seem fun. I've seen some really good ABA programs do this successfully lately. My opinion on combining the two is that if you have a motivated child who participates, you could combine the attitude, appreciation and acceptance Option teaches with the drills of ABA. Son-Rise methods would also help kids generalize the stuff taught through ABA so much better as well. If the child isn't motivated, then you have to decide between the two in the early days. ABA would force compliance, Son-Rise would build a bond and excitement to be together so that the child wants to do things to please the facilatator, then you add more challenging tasks while maintaining that bond. While it would be harder to do in a classroom, I think it would be possible.

If you'd like more details on how we've used some ABA and other structured stuff in our son's program, feel free to e-mail me privately.
Gaylen

Follow Ups

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Comments:: Three cheers for you, Robyn, for being such a great teacher! I love hearing about teachers who take the time to learn about various approaches and how they can incorporate them into their classroom. : As far as I know, there have been no formal, scientific studies done on the effectiveness of the Son-Rise program but checking with the Son-Rise staff could help you know for sure. There is some literature on similar programs that take a more child-centered approach however these programs usually do not include what I think makes Son-Rise the most successful: the attitude with which you approach the child, putting human interaction/bonding ahead of all else and conveying the message that people are tremendously fun, helpful and worth getting to know. These keys would be highly beneficial in any environment, including a classroom. : As for negative effects, I've never heard of any. However, when some people running programs don't fully understand the program like they fully accept the child but forget to really challenge him or they get the challenging part but forget the acceptance, the child doesn't get the full benefit and time could be wasted. But that is true of any program. I did chuckle a bit at this question because it reminded me of when two doctors and a therapist cornered my husband and I when we were first "trying out" the Son-Rise approach and joining our son. For almost an hour, they tried to convince us that we'd cause irrepairable harm to our son by running with him. "He won't understand that it's ok to run at home but not at school." Talk about closed minds. I wish they could see him today around other kids. He's usually the most well-behaved, cooperative one in the bunch :). : As for your questions about ABA, there are alot of similarities between the two programs in that they are both intensive, one-on-one, believe in being highly observant of the child and really challenging the child with lots of appreciation. However, the overall view of the "therapist" or "facilatator" is different. With ABA, therapists tend to be very analytical, believing that they know best, they are in charge, any lack of cooperation by the child is viewed as plain non-compliance. The overall goal is to accomplish the drills and build skills believing that this will take the child to the point of fully participating and interacting. With Son-Rise, facilatators set themselves up as assistors for the child, human interaction and bonding take priority over all else and they are much more open to explore a wide range of possibilities/approaches. Lack of cooperation of the child is viewed as a sign to move elsewhere either joining the child or trying a different approach. The overall goal is to make people and life seem so appealing and rewarding that the child actively seeks out and enjoys learning and interacting with people. : I think it is possible to combine the two, if it is done right. Once we had Curtis' attention and motivation, we began using some of the ABA-type of drills to help him with concepts and tasks that really challenge him. We're always very careful to do the drills in a game-type of format which makes them seem fun. I've seen some really good ABA programs do this successfully lately. My opinion on combining the two is that if you have a motivated child who participates, you could combine the attitude, appreciation and acceptance Option teaches with the drills of ABA. Son-Rise methods would also help kids generalize the stuff taught through ABA so much better as well. If the child isn't motivated, then you have to decide between the two in the early days. ABA would force compliance, Son-Rise would build a bond and excitement to be together so that the child wants to do things to please the facilatator, then you add more challenging tasks while maintaining that bond. While it would be harder to do in a classroom, I think it would be possible. : If you'd like more details on how we've used some ABA and other structured stuff in our son's program, feel free to e-mail me privately. : Gaylen