Guide Book

torials Video Tr
Animated Tu aining

Results Professional
Measurable Advice

visit www.simplestepsautism.com
forup to date content
and to join our online community -
Simple Steps, 789 Springfield Road, Belfast BT12 7FP
t +44 (0)28 9032 4882 e info@simplestepsautism.com www.simplestepsautism.com
Contents

Welcome to Simple Steps 4

What is Autism? 6
Assessment and Diagnosis 10
Introducing ABA 14
Understanding Behaviour 16
Measuring Behaviour 32
Increasing Behaviour and Teaching New Skills 36
Working with Problem Behaviours 50
Decreasing Behaviour 54
Implementing a programme 60
Real Stories 72
A Big Thank You and Our Partners 76
Glossary 78
 Welcome to
Simple Steps is a world but requires dedication and determination
on behalf of the parent. Simple Steps is an
leader in behavioural introduction to something much bigger and

change. it’s not designed to replace a full-time ABA

Therapist but to provide a practical way
forward for parents.
Simple Steps: Autism Edition will give you the
information you need to take first steps to
Everyone involved in this project are parents
becoming a parent-therapist and helping your
of children with autism, or work with the
child.
parents and children on a regular basis. So as
parents we fully understand the distress and
Simple Steps was born when Professors
anxiety that autism brings, but also the joy
Tony Byrne (PEAT Charity), and Mickey
and excitement that comes with each step
Keenan (Ulster University) set out to create
forward.
something that was
desperately needed by parents around the
world: practical help for working with children We, and the parents we
on the autism spectrum.
work with, are clear in
After initial discussions, it was clear that this our approach: we must
project could produce something special for
the Autism sector.
be guided by science. This online resource includes this book, videos
and animations, many useful resources and
It will require
Working with International experts Professor ABA is the applied branch of the science of a notebook to monitor results. These are the perseverance and
Karola Dillenburger (Queen’s University
Belfast), and Dr Stephen Gallagher (Ulster
behaviour and, when applied to autism, it
has been proven to bring about socially-
tools that will help you understand and work
with your child’s condition.
dedication alongside
University), as well as professionals, teachers, significant change for children and their Simple Steps, but
and parents, we have been able to test and
fine-tune our materials over several years.
families. This is validated and supported by
many scientific publications.
With Simple Steps, you will have a greater
understanding your child’s behaviour and
the rewards will be
allow you to change some of the detrimental invaluable.
Simple Steps is about While this book may be a challenging read in
places, it’s an essential background to your
effects of autism.

helping to create child’s condition. Other interventions are not

“Parent Therapists”. supported by scientific publications, have no

validation, and do not have the credibility of
Our methodology is based on understanding ABA.
the science of ABA. The process is simple

04 05
 What is Autism?

Coming to terms with You will be confused by the non-commitment

of organisations and professionals to one
a diagnosis of ASD approach or another.
A diagnosis of ASD can be a bombshell. It can
be overwhelming. You have been told that You will ask “Why should I believe what I read
your baby will be different from all the other here?” The answer is simple. To date the only
babies you know and that you must accept this. interventions that have been scientifically and
Everyone deals with grief in different ways. independently validated are based on Applied
Some of us cry, some of us get angry, some of Behaviour Analysis. If someone suggests
us deny that it is even happening. A diagnosis is another approach for your child ask for the
supposed to be a signpost. scientific evidence to support this intervention.
You are the advocate for your child and their
Now that you know what is different, you want future lies in your hands.
to know what you can do to fix it. Unfortunately
the cause of ASD is not well understood and This is an enormous responsibility but
there are no medicines that you can give your remember there are other parents who have
child to cure the autism. Upon diagnosis you are been where you are standing and they have
vulnerable and you expect to receive the advice made a path for you to follow. Indeed it will
and support you need from the professionals probably be the parents of other children
who diagnosed your child. Unfortunately the with ASD that will be your greatest support in
professionals do not agree on the best method the years ahead. You may be lucky and have
of intervention. Some will actively promote an understanding and supportive family and
one type of approach or may actively advise friends. But don’t be surprised if they run for the
you against other interventions. This is the hills. Autism is not an easy thing to understand
most important point on your journey with or come to terms with.
ASD. You must be strong and rely on scientific
evidence for the right intervention for your
child. You will be misled by books and web sites.

06 07
 What is Autism? A diagnosis is
supposed to be a
signpost
Intervention
The worst effects of autism can be prevented Although the most
in many cases. It is now known that early, dramatic results have
intensive behavioural programmes can eliminate beenachieved with pre-school children,
the symptoms of autism in some children and programmesin teaching for example social
greatly improve the lives of many the others. skills and learning by observation (imitation)
are also applicable to school age children,
People who do not actively interact with other adolescents, and adults.
people are deprived of learning from social
experiences. People who focus all of their Diagnosis
attention on the same things and activities are The next important step is receiving a proper
not optimising their chances for development diagnosis. This is dealt with in the following
and learning. People who do these things most section.
of the time are called “autistic.” Therefore, they
need specially prepared programmes that will
teach them to learn from their parents, siblings,
peers and others. These are the initial aims of
behavioural interventions.

08 09