AnnaOfAramis -> RE: Unruely slave (4/8/2009 5:18:52 PM)
|
quote:
he does have adult attention deficit disorder, as well as bi-polar disorder. She is getting professional medical treatment for both of these. Which is really the only reason why I've tolerated this as long as I have. Her therapist suggested using lists last year, and we've been doing it ever since. I send her emails that consist of lists of things and specific deadlines by which I want them done. Corporal punishment simply isn't an option. I will not beat my girl, even if part of me does think she really needs it. I'm not really sure what I need to do to help her, but I know something needs to change. Oh, and the threat to take her collar away was not an idle threat. At the time I said it I fully intended to do it. I changed my mind based on her emotional reaction which convinced me that, at least to some extent, she is still committed to being my slave. However, if things don't change in the next couple months, she is going to loose her collar. OK well this explains a lot. I provide ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy to autistic kids. Not the same thing as ADHD and bipolar, but many of the kids I treat have multiple things going on. One of the main things I work on is attending skills because it is something that almost all my clients have a hard time with. My cases are severe- like they do not even look at you when you call their name. But there is quite an array. Your girl's problem is that she is not able to process and organize the information and keep herself on task. You are quite correct to avoid corporal punishment. When we provide ABA services, we do not punish anything. We set up repeat trials of skills we want mastered and we positively reinforce every correct response. Eventually, as the skill is learned, we stop reinforcing for that response and gradually bump up the requirements, this leads to gradual improvement. We respond as neutrally as possible to incorrect responses, by helping them to get it right and saying "that's doing..x" To get rid of unwanted behavior, we do what is called an "extinction" process- we do not respond to that behavior. At first you may get what is called an "extinction burst" which is when the person realizes that what used to work is no longer working, so they do it more (like repeatedly pushing a button on a machine that used to give candy and suddenly isn't). Once they realize it still isn't working, the behavior disappears. The problem with punishment is that it is attention. There have even been studies in which they found people actually learned how to do something they were being punished for! In any case, I agree with what many, including her therapist, have suggested, which is having a list. Even the gold star method, as kingergarten as it sounds, is a good idea. But I would have a reward that she is working towards- so many gold stars means she can get .... you will have to figure out that part with her because it should be something she really wants. Keep goals small and achievable. Start where you know she can succeed already and progress incrementally from there. What can she already do? Start there and figure out how to build a bridge from there to what the hardest thing is for her. As you have a therapist already, they can help you with this part if you like. I wouldn't use the collar as a threat... it will make her feel insecure about your relationship. And she is more likely to want to please you and work with you if she feels her value to you isn't based on her abilities. I hope this is in someway helpful. Sorry if it is a bit technical. If you want to email me, feel free. anna
|
|
|
|