Expert: James Michael Roan - 1/23/2008

Question
I am a counselor and an educational associate has asked me for help.  The associate who is having trouble works with a fourth grade boy with autism who is avoiding school work.  He will throw a tantrum and roll on the ground and spit at the associate.  When they put him in time out he turns and spits at them.  The work he is given is work he was able to do last year so it isn't too difficult.  He is given many 'break' fun activities to do so I think it is strictly that he wants to play and not do schoolwork.  The classroom teacher is relatively unhelpful.  The student is getting bigger so his time outs are harder to physically force him into.  She is frustrated and doesn't know what to do with him.

Answer
Hi Katie;

This a recurring theme for children on the spectrum. I suggest a thorough functional behavioral assessment to identify other causes of his escape behavior other than the obvious: work. Has a Sensory Profile been completed on him? What factors in the environment might be contributing to his intense reaction? Have you tried a variable ratio reinforcement schedule?

Kind regards,
James