program to help him learn how he should behave, and how to better control himself.
Here is a little info about Behavior modification -
Behavior modification is based on the principles of operant conditioning, which were developed by American behaviorist B. F. Skinner (1904-1990). Skinner formulated the concept of operant conditioning, through which behavior could be shaped by reinforcement or lack of it. Skinner considered his concept applicable to a wide range of both human and animal behaviors and introduced operant conditioning to the general public in his 1938 book, The Behavior of Organisms .
One behavior modification technique that is widely used is positive reinforcement, which encourages certain behaviors through a system of rewards. In behavior therapy, it is common for the therapist to draw up a contract with the client establishing the terms of the reward system.
Our Psychologist likes to use a sytem using poker chips. We've been doing for about a month now.
The way it work is the boys (both of them are doing this) can earn chips for doing various things -
Doing what is asked of them right away
Playing nicely
Being polite
Sharing
Bringing home good reports from school
Getting ready promptly
Following rules while shopping
Cleaning up messes and putting things away
Being on time
Working independently on schoolwork
Using maners
Helping others
In turn, if they are NOT doing these things they can loose chips.
They use their chips to "buy" Privileges
A few examples because they're are a lot of things they can purchase. They helped come up with this list.
Playing the Wii 30 min - 3 chips
Family game nights with snacks- 8 chips
Late bedtime- 3 chips
Playing at the park 1 hour- 6 chips
Snacks between meals- 2 chips
Baking or cooking with Mom or Dad- 4 chips
Special events or outings like Zoo, Museum- 20-30 chips
Cash for small purchases- 1 chip = .25
Choosing where to eat out for dinner- 10 chips
As always they need to ask us to purchase anything, and we have the right to say no. Just because they want to go to a movie does not mean they get to because they have the chips. Fo the most part everthing on the list is normally available. Big things are based on our budget. So far it is going pretty good. Griffin does get upset when he looses chips, or when Trevor gets some and he does not. He is getting better.
I have not told many people, but besides ADHD Griffin was also diagnosed with
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Our Psychologist thinks the ADHD is causing him to have the ODD, so we're working on that. He told us that if the ADHD gets under control he thinks the ODD will go away.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
What is it?
ODD is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by two different sets of problems. These are aggressiveness and a tendency to purposefully bother and irritate others. It is often the reason that people seek treatment. When ODD is present with ADHD, depression, tourette's, anxiety disorders, or other neuropsychiatric disorders, it makes life with that child far more difficult. For Example, ADHD plus ODD is much worse than ADHD alone, often enough to make people seek treatment. The criteria for ODD are:
A pattern of negativistic, hostile, and defiant behavior lasting at least six months during which four or more of the following are present:
1. Often loses temper
2. often argues with adults
3. often actively defies or refuses to comply with adults' requests or rules
4. often deliberately annoys people
5. often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
6. is often touchy or easily annoyed by others
7. is often angry and resentful
8. is often spiteful and vindictive
Why am I sharing all of this information? Well, I bet there are people out there that have similar problems with their children. I know we are not the only ones. It also helps people understand Griffin better. I also think of this blog as my own personal journal, so I write what is going on in my life, so I will remember down the road. It's hard sometimes. This morning Griffin had a tantrum (not uncommom) and he ended up loosing some poker chips. This put him in a bad mood. He was the last one out of the car and he SLAMED the door shut, then ran off. The seatbelt was caught so the door did not close, an aid from the school came and close it for me ( I was in the drive thru lane). So after he gets in the car this afternoon (long after he's forgotten what happenedd) I have to make sure to talk to him about it, take tokens away and have him sit in time-out for a few minutes, which will most likely lead to another tantrum. It's hard work, and we can't let things slide at all. It's exhausting at times, but it's our job! We want him to be able to succeed in life.
