Mands: 24 (yesterday), 23 (today)

Once again I will be doing a double blog. Yesterday’s and today’s together. Tuesday afternoon Marlaina, Anton, and I discussed the turn things have been taking around here and agreed that it was not the way we wanted to go. Basically I really have been walking on eggshells around Tony so as not to push him over the edge. Tony has been taking the opportunity to avoid as much ABA as possible. I was under the impression that I shouldn’t be pushing him, but Marlaina and Anton want me to be more firm, so I have been.

When the clock struck 9:30 (or pretty close), both yesterday and today, I promptly whisked the boy away for a lovely wagon ride. Actually, it went a lot more smoothly yesterday. Today Tony decided it was time to scream and cry: a conveyance of general unhappiness, and a string of mands “MOM, TURTLE, CUP, HOUSE!” Luckily we had turtle and cup right there in the wagon. After delivering the possible reinforcers I distracted him with a catchy tune called “Birds Are Singing, Tweet, Tweet, Tweet,” written by none other than moi. As we rolled further and further from the house his sobs and unhappiness began to subside. WHEW!!!!

He still manded for Mom and house a few more times throughout the trip, but he was much happier. We rolled by the pond on our way to the far courtyard. We parked the wagon in the shade and Tony manded for ‘up.’ I picked him up and then showed him the backpack I’d stocked with all sorts of ABA goodies. I asked if he wanted to open it, and he did. We got out a few toys and I let him have some play time. Then he manded for ‘chalk,’ I happened to have some, so I handed it over. I knew it wasn’t the specific chalk he wanted because Yesterday we played a really fun game involving sidewalk chalk and the handle of the wagon. It was kind of pine wood derby meets sliding board. After I gave him the chalk I pulled out the small chalkboard I’d packed. He scribbled a little. I asked him If he would give me a piece and he said “no.” So I got busy setting up a future activity. I lined up some picture cards and some objects, being careful to jumble them. By the time I had this all ready to go, he was ready to relenquish one piece of chalk. I took it and wrote three letters of his name, then I asked him what else we needed. He answered correctly. Then I drew a house. I knew he would easily get this one as he has in the past. Yeah Tony! Then we did some stop/ go. Finally we got around to the matching. We did some of this yesterday as well. Yesterday it was mostly hand over hand. Today he did one on his own: the elephant. After I helped him match the ball we played with it for awhile, repeating a game from yesterday. He manded for me to throw it ‘to Tony’ or ‘up in the air,’ and I reinforced each time without hesitation.

Yes, we have been very successful in our ABA ventures as of late! Between yesterday and today we have almost gotten through the entire program! Some of the items still need more introduction, but things are definitely looking up. Rest up little Tony, have a wonderful weekend Monday will be a big day! (hopefully).