After a few weeks of attempting to conduct caregiver trainings, finally I was granted the time. As I have mentioned before, lecture style trainings have not been the most successful so the teaching style had to be adapted. First, we set up “class” outside. This not only created more physical space, it also was much cooler temperature wise and tended to decrease the probability of people falling asleep (yes, this is a valid concern, no matter how entertaining your presentation). Secondly, I have started each training with a 5 minute Brian Gym. Brain Gym is a technique that I learned through Multikids, the other school that I am working at here. It involves deep breathing and body moment (similar to yoga) to get the brain awake and stimulated.
The beginning week I asked, “What is behavior?” To be able to teach or model good behavior, it only make sense to first know what exactly this means. Thanks to the STAR Autism Program, we identified the ABCs of Behavior: the antecedent, the behavior, and the consequence. Then brainstormed examples of this three part series in our daily lives. While discussing, I wrote key points on a white board. Due to the outcomes of past trainings, I felt it was best if I let the caregivers take the initiative to copy down what was being discussed if the desire was there. I, by no means, will force an education on anyone. Although will also be the first to say that with education comes empowerment. Without my prompting, 4 out of the 12 caregivers present came prepared with notebooks and pencils. It was a step in the right direction.
The following weeks we have focused on positive behavior reinforcement, the idea of extinction, and Discrete Trial Training. As some of you know, these are not new concepts at AACT. The caregivers have been taught these ideas over and over again, with little degree of change. Partially due to cultural differences, but also coming back to the teacher. I feel that I have a bit of an advantage conducting trainings at AACT now versus back in July '09. I have spent many months working along side the caregivers and helping with the students. Compared to someone coming in new to Ghana and new to AACT, I have somewhat of a greater understanding of this environment as well as knowing the caregivers on a much more personal level. Therefore, I rely heavily on their participation in these trainings. I pose questions to them, let them role play, and together we brainstorm ideas of how to make concepts, such as positive behavior reinforcement, a regular routine at AACT. Conducted in this way, I feel and hope the information being given is more sustainable.
On top of Brain Gym and the more educational based lessons, I have started to introduce team building games. Stemming off of charades, we have done other activities that involved non-verbal communication, trust, memory and cooperative skills. It is amazing to see people who generally do not show very much emotion and many times are quite “relaxed” by Friday, becoming active, lively, and full of character. Creating an environment that is enjoyable makes learning more conducive. So last Friday we were told that the caregivers must clean the center instead of receiving training and literally one caregiver said to me, “I am disappointed. This is the only place where I can receive an education and today they have taken it away from me,” I was crushed. Yet it also meant that the trainings were having a positive impact.
World Autism Awareness Month events are also coming along well. This week AACT will start its awareness campaign at the Accra Mall. Other events have been added, such as a craft fair on April 10th. This idea came about from an artist that has been recently volunteering on Thursdays. This man not only donates his time to teaching the children once a week, he has also donated many of his beautiful pieces of art for the center to sell.
On a separate note, there was a wonderful thunderstorm last night. So for the first day in months, we did not see the sunshine. It was a nice change from sweating.
Sincerely,
Casey
(My apologies for the lack of pictures in this entry, I promise more next time.)
The beginning week I asked, “What is behavior?” To be able to teach or model good behavior, it only make sense to first know what exactly this means. Thanks to the STAR Autism Program, we identified the ABCs of Behavior: the antecedent, the behavior, and the consequence. Then brainstormed examples of this three part series in our daily lives. While discussing, I wrote key points on a white board. Due to the outcomes of past trainings, I felt it was best if I let the caregivers take the initiative to copy down what was being discussed if the desire was there. I, by no means, will force an education on anyone. Although will also be the first to say that with education comes empowerment. Without my prompting, 4 out of the 12 caregivers present came prepared with notebooks and pencils. It was a step in the right direction.
The following weeks we have focused on positive behavior reinforcement, the idea of extinction, and Discrete Trial Training. As some of you know, these are not new concepts at AACT. The caregivers have been taught these ideas over and over again, with little degree of change. Partially due to cultural differences, but also coming back to the teacher. I feel that I have a bit of an advantage conducting trainings at AACT now versus back in July '09. I have spent many months working along side the caregivers and helping with the students. Compared to someone coming in new to Ghana and new to AACT, I have somewhat of a greater understanding of this environment as well as knowing the caregivers on a much more personal level. Therefore, I rely heavily on their participation in these trainings. I pose questions to them, let them role play, and together we brainstorm ideas of how to make concepts, such as positive behavior reinforcement, a regular routine at AACT. Conducted in this way, I feel and hope the information being given is more sustainable.
On top of Brain Gym and the more educational based lessons, I have started to introduce team building games. Stemming off of charades, we have done other activities that involved non-verbal communication, trust, memory and cooperative skills. It is amazing to see people who generally do not show very much emotion and many times are quite “relaxed” by Friday, becoming active, lively, and full of character. Creating an environment that is enjoyable makes learning more conducive. So last Friday we were told that the caregivers must clean the center instead of receiving training and literally one caregiver said to me, “I am disappointed. This is the only place where I can receive an education and today they have taken it away from me,” I was crushed. Yet it also meant that the trainings were having a positive impact.
World Autism Awareness Month events are also coming along well. This week AACT will start its awareness campaign at the Accra Mall. Other events have been added, such as a craft fair on April 10th. This idea came about from an artist that has been recently volunteering on Thursdays. This man not only donates his time to teaching the children once a week, he has also donated many of his beautiful pieces of art for the center to sell.
On a separate note, there was a wonderful thunderstorm last night. So for the first day in months, we did not see the sunshine. It was a nice change from sweating.
Sincerely,
Casey
(My apologies for the lack of pictures in this entry, I promise more next time.)
