Shining Stars Support Services for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Shining Stars' success stories, it is that time again. Today, I was overjoyed to welcome a former student back in for his intake assessment and pairing session. I and our therapy team were over the moon thrilled with all of his strides made to date. This young man is now using full sentences, can respond to his name, labels, and comments on things for others, and authentically shows interest in the behaviour of others. He also remembered mine and the Supervising Therapist's names.

Another success story (secondary school student) and one that is still being worked on is the high school student's ability to tolerate harder and newer tasks. Yes, he is still working, with the tireless and committed efforts of his clinicians, to tolerate and accept new and more complex tasks, it is a work in progress.

Our third success story is the young man who takes a leadership role in our clinic. He is known to read aloud to students, assist with clean-up, and setting up work tasks, handling and tolerating disappointment and managing when things don't go his way. Additionally, he is making friends and developing strong academic skills.

We are always impressed with the determination and journey taken to get to where we want our students to be. Here's to the triumphs, resilience, and determination of our students and team!

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Another post about the importance of pairing in Applied
Behaviour Analysis. Why do we pair, and why is it critical to producing positive outcomes?

Who remembers the best teacher in grade school or the best boss at work? The best teacher/best boss made an impact just by their presence. They didn't need to provide a tangible reinforcer or give loads of praise, so as long as they were genuinely and authentically interested, that was the strongest reinforcement and impact on our behaviour.

Pairing is exactly the same strategy used in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Pairing involves following the child's lead in a reinforcing activity, being present, engaging, and all other things involving building a trusting and reinforcing relationship with the student. Pairing is crux to developing skills in our students and closing the gaps in learning.

Shining Stars always celebrates the wonderful accomplishments and achievements of our students. Today was a day, with our Stars present, to celebrate a staff's member birthday. The smile on her face is priceless, and her nonverbal response declares nothing but elation. Happy birthday to you from all of us at Shining Stars Support Services and Shining Stars School

A fantastic way to end a Friday school day session, another student success story.

At the age of 4 years old and having been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, this young man first came to Shining Stars Support Services for in-home ABA Therapy. He was meticulous about detail, was learning to be cooperative with adults, had strong a set of reinforcers, was learning to express himself verbally. Parents decided to hold off ABA Therapy as he had been invited to participate in a therapy program funded by the Ontario Autism Program.

I got a chance to meet this young man when visiting for other reasons at another Service Provider. When he met me, he smiled a grand smile and remembered who I was by calling me by name.

Fast forward to current, a few months ago his parents reconnected with me. They stated he was experiencing trouble at school, running from the classroom daily, being uncooperative with adults, difficulties with transitions and engaging in verbal tantrums. As a results of these concerns, parents enrolled him in Shining Stars School, a Ministry of Education approved alternative school for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder ages 4-11.

From day one, he transitioned well. At first, he did run away from staff and engaged in some verbal tantrum behaviours. He has been with us since September 2023 and to end 2023 on a positive note would be an understatement. He has made significant gains in curricular areas (math, reading, writing, spelling), is communicating his wants and needs, transitioning without the need for a 2:1 support model, accepting denial of activities and for the most part has not run out of the room.

Here is a success story that does not go unnoticed. He has achieved remarkable success in time he has been with Shining Stars School. This success story emphasizes the talents and potentialities of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Celebrating moments of focus and engagement is a great way to highlight the unique strengths of children with autism. It fosters understanding and support within our service setting.

Splinter skills: What does this term mean? A child will demonstrate a splinter skill if they lack the fundamental skills that are a prerequisite for more advanced skills.. For instance, a splinter skill may be present if a student can read but can't identify nor label letter sounds. If he or she can read, write, or spell but can not request desired items or initiate a conversation

Here's one of our Stars who can decode words of 5 letter length or more but can not fill in missing letters of words a skill fundamental to reading. He can decode at or above the grade 1 level (he's in Senior Kindergarten).

Here's where Shining Stars focuses on unlocking student's potentialities, sharpening their focus, building fundamental skills in multiple domains, and helping student's maintain these skills throughout their learning journey. # #

Embracing the beauty of the Christmas season with love, health, and happiness. From all of us Shining Stars Support Services and Shining Stars School, wishing everyone a joy-filled holiday season.