Katie Koplow U0700381 PRT 3360 Assessment and Documentation Intervention Protocol Program Title: Coping Skills Resources

es General Statement of Purpose: This program provides interventions that improves the ability of the client to develop coping resources to manage difficult situations including times of being overwhelmed, intensified sensory input, and environmental factors, especially during routine change. Description: Coping skills are taught and practiced within a small group, using the teach and repeat method. Programs will identify clients trigger points that heighten anxiety and help develop ways of coping during times of change. Provide resources to help comfort the client and provide them with strategies that include seeking help, increasing use of language, taking a break, and defining needs that help provide positive coping. The program will use trial and error where the client will be placed in different situations and asked to use their previously developed skills. Prior to this activity the therapist will help client realize an appropriate balanced sensory diet and understand their triggers and stressors. Social stories will be used to help talk the client through different situations and prepare them for the next activity. Once the client has identified these key problem areas they will be placed into different scenarios to practice the skills. The therapist will provide adequate transition time but will encourage the client to try to engage like other friends and family members would in that given situation. Client problems: Problems might include: Impairment in social interaction and communication Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interactions Deficits in developing, maintain, and understanding relationships Behavior Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal and nonverbal behavior Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus, strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects Hyper- or hypo- reactive of sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment

Referral Criteria: Clients are referred to RT program if demonstrating any of the above problems. Clients that have a difficult time handling change in their daily routine would benefit from this program. Those clients that use vocal stimulations or object fixation during a time of discomfort or change will benefit from learning new ways to handle transitions. Clients that are lacking language skills but have the ability to learn when provided extra resources would benefit in learning how to communicate feelings with caregiver. Contraindicated Criteria: Clients that are not recommended for this therapy are those who are on a the farther end of the Autism Spectrum Disorder and are unable to work in a group setting, or who have such intense object fixation that providing coping mechanisms at this point would not be beneficial. Those who have language and social skill interactions but are unable to work with others to express feelings either verbally or through alternative methods such as writing out feelings or expressing through photos would not benefit from this therapy program. Intervention activities or techniques: Staff training/certification requirements: Training: -TRS licensing - Experience working with children with autism -Behavioral management training Certifications: -CTRS National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification -First Aid Risk management considerations: -Therapist will be aware of outburst and violent reactions when clients are placed in new situations -Therapists will need to ensure that the surrounding areas are clear of any materials that could be used to cause harm to others. -Objects that could be used as a fixation should be eliminated but some children might not be able to function without them. -Therapists should be considerate of the lighting and noise in the room. The client should be able to handle loud noises and communicate that different lighting is bothersome but while giving instructions and teaching this could be a major distraction. Outcomes expected: Based on the level of functioning of the individual the RT will provide methods and resources to help the individual develop coping skills and provide them with resources to help during difficult situations, especially routine change. Client will demonstrate new resources when place into a strange situation and required to use coping skills to help them handle the change in routine. Based on the level of functioning of the individual the RT will provide social skills resources by developing psychological, social and environmental resources. This will help the client develop resources to help engagement with others in an appropriate way. The RT will provide mindful leisure opportunities to help them understand current personal issues that prevent social interactions and build upon their virtuous leisure skills so they can use their strengths to help them confidently engage with others. Client will demonstrate new skills by successfully interacting with 5 people in five different settings

Program evaluation: In order to ensure positive client outcomes, which match the desired outcomes for the leisure and well-being model we will do direct observation of client in a normal setting and if their level of functioning is high enough we will interview the client and see if they achieved their personal goals. Developed program outcome evaluations and client outcomes will also be used to evaluate the program. Katherine Koplow, TRS, CTRS October 23, 2013

Websites: http://www.education.com/reference/article/strategies-help-children-autism-cope/ http://www.fraser.org/Fraser/media/Assets/pdfs/Developing-Appropriate-Coping-Skills-in-Childrenwith-Autism.pdf http://www.hopenetwork.org/Behavioral-Health/Autism/Education/Autistic-Disorder/Tools-forParents/Skill-Building-Activities.aspx http://sfxhosted.exlibrisgroup.com/uutah/img/ajaxtabs/transparentpixel.png http://parentcoachingforautism.com/2011/04/strategies-to-help-child-with-autism-cope-with-anxietyand-stress/