Cailean
His Progress While In A
Growing Minds Autism Program
Cailean
began the Growing Minds program at age five, with a diagnosis of moderate
to severe autism.
His Background
His Program
His Development in the following areas:
Social
Language
Academic & Cognitive
Motor
Statement From Cailean's Mother
Cailean's mother Tricia previously attended two training (workshops) in a play-based method. She ran a full-time play-based home program, operating for thirty to forty hours per week, for one year. During this time, Cailean had increased eye contact and he became more social and affectionate. Although he had been speaking prior to the program, Cailean had substantial increases in language. His vocabulary increased. He began using sentences up to five words, although the words were sometimes in the incorrect order. Although he was speaking more frequently, his speech was often difficult to understand. Cailean had continuing behavioral difficulties, including low cooperation, tantrums, scratching and hitting others, running out of the house if the door was opened, running away in shops or public places and shutting people out or telling them to go away. He was willing to play with people, but only if they joined in his preferred activities. These behaviors limited Cailean's ability to learn and made it difficult for program staff to challenge him to his full intellectual capability.
Cailean's Growing Minds Program
Cailean's family decided to participate in Growing Minds in order to create a more structured program with clear short-term and long-term goals that would challenge Cailean to learn. The family and program workers attended a five-day Growing Minds program in Florida. Based on intensive observation of Cailean, educational goals were established. A curriculum plan was developed, the team members were taught how to implement the plan and strategies were created for handling Cailean's challenging behaviors. Following their return from Florida, the family implemented the Growing Minds curriculum and also (at our recommendation) placed Cailean on a biomedical program under the direction of Dr. Ed Danczak (www.autismmanagement.com). They received twelve months of Growing Minds distance support by phone and Internet.
Now, a year later, Cailean continues in his home-based Growing Minds program. His program has been adapted to include more informal teaching and play outside the playroom, more supervised play dates with other children and more outings. After twelve months of distance support, the family were sufficiently confident to continue without regular training. Cailean's parents are currently searching for a suitable mainstream classroom situation, with plans for Cailean to attend the second grade in a regular primary school when he is 6, in the fall of 2002.
After six months of the Growing Minds program, Cailean developed in the following new ways:
Cailean's tantrums decreased substantially.
He no longer runs away. If the door to the house is open, he stays inside unless he has permission to go out. In public, he walks cooperatively, holding his mother's hand.
Cailean no longer sends people away or hides under sheets or blankets to avoid people.
His play now includes a willingness and enjoyment for participating in unfamiliar activities or activities chosen by others.
He initiates play with others.
He reciprocates greetings.
He interacts with his peers using speech and gestures.
Cailean obeys simple rules.
Cailean demonstrates possessiveness towards his loved ones. (For example, saying "My mommy")
He values his own property. He says, Mine" and holds on when someone tries to take his toys.
He likes to be in the sight and hearing of an adult.
He participates in circle times and plays interactive games. He cooperates in games.
He is less distracted by noises in the house and more distracted by the sounds of children playing outside.
He likes to clown and play tricks on people. He distinguishes between what is funny (falling down on purpose) and what is not funny (falling down accidentally).
Cailean now knows which parent will meet requests such as ice cream (Dad) and who will not (Mom). He approaches Dad in what his mother describes as a "sneaky and devious way" to ask for ice cream so Mom cannot hear.
He loves to put on shows with a tape recorder and microphone. He performs or sings and then he pretends to be the announcer and introduces the other person to perform. He likes performing for applause.
He knows when he has been naughty and apologizes verbally.
He pays attention to people in authority and accepts clear limits, instead of tantruming when limits are set.
He likes answering the telephone and talking to people on the phone.
He cooperates more with dressing, bathing and going to bed. He goes to sleep quickly, instead of staying awake and tantruming. He washes his own hair.
When riding in the car, he gives directions (usually to the toyshop).
He plays with his brother. He doesn't allow his brother to take advantage of him. He talks about what is happening during play and tells his brother what he wants.
Cailean has greatly increased spontaneous language.
He has substantially increased the number of words he uses, and has increased his use of verbs and adjectives (he had previously used mostly nouns).
He now responds to 90% of what, where and who questions that are asked of him with appropriate answers. He also asks what, where and when questions.
He uses pronouns to refer to himself (I, me, and mine). He uses plural and possessive nouns.
Cailean vocalizes for all his needs without whining.He is beginning to recount things that happen to him (for example, "Mummy, Mummy.. Cailean fall down…sore leg…sore toes… ouch").
He frequently expresses his wants in sentences.
He expresses his feelings in words (angry, scared, happy, excited) instead of tantruming.
Cailean's speech is less echlolalic. When presented with a list of choices, he expresses his actual choice instead of echoing the last thing said.
Academic and Cognitive Development
Cailean's academic performance and home-school curriculum are at or above the level of his peers in the local primary school classroom.
Cailean makes eye contact when asked to "look". He sustains eye contact and has increased spontaneous eye contact.
Cailean sits cooperatively in a chair during instructional sessions.
He imitates gross motor movements, actions with objects, fine motor movements, words and phrases on request. He has improved imitation of physical gestures.
He states yes or no to indicate preference.
He has over 20 words or phrases to indicate his requests.
He follows one-step instructions.
Cailean identifies body parts, objects, pictures, familiar people, colors and shapes.
He matches identical objects, pictures, objects to pictures, colors, shapes, letters and numbers.
He sorts objects into several categories.
Cailean sequences items by size.
He gives his full name on request.
Cailean distinguishes left from right.
He is more aware of sex differences. He identifies his own gender and that of others.
He dramatizes and engages in pretend play. He dramatizes what he has seen on video.
He sings the phrases of songs.
His computer skills have increased. Although he could use a mouse twelve months ago, he now plays interactive games for 30-40 minutes with good concentration. He follows the game directions appropriately and responds to requests from the computer.
Cailean sits and listens to a story. He waits for the appropriate time (or verbal prompt) to turn the pages.
Cailean imitates bilateral movements.
He catches an 8-inch ball.
Cailean points with his index finger.
He imitates lines and circles while drawing.
He folds paper imitatively.
He cuts on a line with scissors.
Statement from Cailean's mother, Tricia:
"Cailean has made the greatest progress with the Growing Minds program. Cailean was originally diagnosed with moderate to severe autism. Recently the Senior Medical Officer diagnosed him with high functioning autism. He is making great leaps.
The greatest change in Cailean (which is making our lives so much easier) is how well he cooperates outside the playroom. In the house, going out to play, coming back in again-all without a tantrum! Now going to the weekly shop is no problem. I no longer have to put him in the shopping trolley or buy my groceries online. Now Cailean walks beside me as I shop. Sometimes he will run off to get his favorite items, but he always comes back to check where I am. Before he would run and just keep going.
He is so different and so much happier now as he delights in all the new learning activities we do. The program is still very organized and is structured properly, but I feel more relaxed about teaching him, not just in the playroom, but around the house and outside on trips to shops, fire station, police station (only visiting!) etc. I am more relaxed and he is too. That is what Growing Minds has taught me and it is the Growing Minds approach that has proved so right for Cailean. It has brought him and the family on by leaps and bounds. Growing Minds has truly helped Cailean grow toward a more independent life.
15096 115th Avenue North, Jupiter, Florida 33478
Phone: 561-748-9697 Fax: 561-748-6543
Copyright © Growing Minds Autism Programs,
1999
Site designed & hosted by Big
Blue Design
Home
Our Programs
Program Principles
Applied
Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Son
Rise Alternative
Comprehensive
Program
Register For
Parent's
Review
Distance Training
Register For
Parent's
Review
In-Home Program
Netherlands
Program
Paris
Program NEW!
Paris
Program in French 
Florida
Accommodations
Program
Fees
Children's Progress
FAQ
Staff Bios
Biomedical Program
Articles
Extraordinary Parenting
Special
Mothers
Focus
Taking
The Lead
Attitude
Plus
Discussion
Forum
Contact Us
