Networking to help autistic children

Dubai has seen a sudden increase in the number of children who are being diagnosed with autism, a spectrum disorder least understood by parents and professionals alike.

For many parents whose children have been diagnosed with the disorder, it is an uphill task to understand where and how to begin training them.

A lot of talk exists in the world of autism services about different methodologies, approaches, and theories of what actually works. Most noticeable are the recent discussions about particular behavioural interventions. Also it has been well-researched by now that early intervention and structured programmes such as Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) have shown the best results. Verbal Behaviour (VB) is a very recent field in terms of practice and falls under the umbrella of ABA.

Smitha Awasthi, a psychologist based in Dubai, says, "VB is a specific technique for teaching children with autism and speech and language disorders to communicate and be 'verbal'. If you ask me, anyone who can communicate is verbal, in spite of not being vocal. Basically anyone who can reply, who can make a mand (short for demand), complete your sentence by filling the blanks, writes and communicates (even through sign language) is being verbal. However, an individual just understanding and complying with instructions is not being verbal as he is not initiating anything."

Though the main emphasis is a mand, on a daily basis VB focusses on intra-filling with more information - basically filling in the blanks and responding to the queries. VB addresses day-to-day functional problems and helps find solutions. Many a time, a child has vocabulary but cannot communicate - VB teaches that. Unlike many others in her field who work with the affected child per se, Smita, a post-graduate from India, makes it her business to train the mothers of children with autism. "For mothers, already bogged down by the fact that their child is diagnosed with autism, it is very important that they are taught how to deal with the child because they spend more time with the child than anyone else."

With eight years of experience of working with children diagnosed with autism, Smitha has been designing programmes, as well as training parents in ABA. Having attended three workshops in the U.S. under experts in VB such as Vince Carbone, Smitha has her work monitored by various experts from the field.

Presently studying to be a behaviour analyst, Smitha decided to start Verbal Behaviour Network (VBN) - an informal study group for parents of children with autism.

It was formed keeping in mind a need to share information on an open platform where more parents could garner expertise. Smitha says, "The idea behind forming this group is to have a forum which offers opportunities to understand VB techniques, share knowledge, discuss case studies, and try to overcome road blocks. Neither a support group, nor a certificate program, VBN is an informal study group formed with a network of parents, professionals and volunteers who practice VB techniques. It is basically a platform for exchanging strategies that work for kids diagnosed with autism."

The group meets every month and follows a pre-defined agenda. It is non-profit, voluntary group that does not waste time with flippant talk of any kind. With a number of workshops being held in Dubai for children with autism, VBN monthly meetings intends to be a continuation of these workshops. Presently held at Smitha's residence, the group is open to anyone who would like learn more about VB techniques and practices.