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An Introduction to An Introduction to Activity-based Activity-based InterventionIntervention

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• Child-directed, routine, and planned activities

• Embed multiple and varied learning opportunities

• Functional goals

• Timely feedback

Elements of ABIElements of ABI

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Child-Directed, Child-Directed, Routine and Planned Routine and Planned

ActivitiesActivities• Child-Directed Activities

• Initiated by child• Capitalize on children’s motivation and interest

• Relevant and authentic

• Routine Activities• Daily or regular occurrences of necessary events (e.g., eating, dressing, bathing)

• Planned Activities• Events that occur with adult guidance• Create varied opportunities for children to practice goals as well as engage in authentic activities

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Multiple Learning Multiple Learning OpportunitiesOpportunities

• Embed in authentic activities

• Should match child’s current developmental abilities

• Tailored to child’s interests• Prompt child to practice goals within the context of authentic activities

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Timely and Integral Timely and Integral FeedbackFeedback

• Feedback immediately follows behavior (e.g., child reaches out to a ball that an adult is holding and says, “ba” child then is immediately given the ball).

• Feedback is a logical outcome of the behavior (e.g, child turns off light switch, room becomes dark).

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Basis of ABI:Basis of ABI:Embedding Learning Embedding Learning

OpportunitiesOpportunities

Embedding is “Using activities to promote learning in a fun way for the child.”

Why Use Activity Based Instruction?

How is this different than a more specific skill-focused or therapy approach?

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Embedding Learning Opportunities in Child-initiated, Routine, and

Planned Activities

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EMBED Learning EMBED Learning Opportunities Opportunities

•Environment•Motivation•Be aware--anticipate opportunities!

•Each child is unique – individualize!

•Develop your familiarity with embedding strategies.

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EEnvironmentnvironment• Manipulate the environment to address children’s learning goals and objectives

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MMotivationotivation

• Follow the child’s lead.• Allow interests and motivation to determine the contextual basis for intervention.

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BBe Aware--Anticipate!e Aware--Anticipate!

• Identify potential situations that elicit or encourage desired behavior.

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EEach Child is Uniqueach Child is Unique• Learn and know each child’s goals• Individualize intervention based on the unique developmental needs of each child.

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Develop familiarity evelop familiarity with different with different

embedding strategies.embedding strategies.

Some examples:– Forgetfulness– Visible but unreachable

– Piece by Piece

– Change in Expectation

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In-class ActivityIn-class Activity

1. Watch http://depts.washington.edu/hscenter/videos

Identify embedding strategies employed by the teacher.

Suggest ideas for additional embedding strategies.

What are Embedding What are Embedding Schedules?Schedules?

Classroom events: Free play, meals, circle, planned

activities, transitions, outdoor play. Home:

Meal times, bath, trips to grocery store, outdoor play, general household chores.

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2 Types of Embedding Schedules2 Types of Embedding Schedules Individual Embedding Schedule

Group Embedding Schedule

Daily RoutinesDaily Routines

• Identify daily routines in a preschool classroom in which you could embed two of the goals or objectives that you targeted.

• Use these routines to complete an Individual Embedding Schedule

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Activity PlansActivity Plans

Activity Plans Activity Plans

• Embedding schedules are useful to identify learning opportunities for children, BUT, identifying potential learning opportunities is not enough!

• Activity Plans provide a structure to help teachers arrange opportunities for practicing targeted goals and objectives.

• Activity Plans assist teams in focusing intervention efforts.

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Linked System Approach

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Program Goals & Philosophy

Collecting Collecting InformationInformation

•Observations•Direct Tests•Report

Summarizing Summarizing InformationInformation

•Child goals•Family Outcomes

MonitoringMonitoring

•Weekly•Quarterly•Annual

Curricular Curricular ApproachApproach

•Activity-Based Intervention

Intervention

Assessment

Evaluation

Service Plan

Activity• Identify a routine for preschool children(arrival, snack, etc.)/or baby. Identify all of the skills that the child could be learning during this routine?

• Or• Identify an activity for preschool age children/or babies. What are all the skills that could be learned during this activity?

Getting StartedGetting Started FFocused Conversationocused Conversation

• What is one thing that sticks with you from today’s activities?

• What most excites you about ABI? What makes you anxious?

• How might ABI impact your work with children and families? How might your staff / coworkers respond?

• What is one specific thing you want to do to make ABI implementation a success?

• Do you have any further questions about ABI? 29