At last, Friday, and a day off from school even!! Guess what I am doing?? That’s right...HOMEWORK!! Why do they call it Fall Break when they know good and well that we will probably be doing homework the entire weekend. I didn’t even get to sleep in!! I am so bitter. Well, anyway, check out what went on this week…

Last week, I set out to draft some of my genres and to start thinking deeply about the MRP. I have succeeded in that this week. I drafted the poem and some journal entries and am thinking about what genre I want to draft next. This week, I also set out to do more research into my topic. I did this because I feel that I have sort-of neglected this for awhile, or should I say that I have been putting it off? I decided that it was high time to begin looking more closely at articles and websites, so that my MRP will be realistic and thought-driven. Last week, I reported that I had struggled with some info. that I found during my research. This week, I set out to not let that affect the way I present my project. Even though I don’t agree with some of the techniques that I have researching, that does not mean that I can’t inform others about them and incorporate them into my genres. In fact, doing so will probably help me to see why they are used in the first place. Also, I am continuing the time-management struggle, but have found it to come more easily now that I have a set routine.

Lots of content this week (even though we only had a few assignments). I found five more interesting articles through Academic Search Elite and ERIC digests. I am in the process of having them sent to me via the IDS services here at MU. I have also been paying closer attention to the discussions that are going on in my mailing list community. Most of them have given me some great ideas for my MRP. I’ll let everyone in on what is discussed later on next week when we have to report on them. I also drafted my first two genres (other than the webliography) this week. I’ll discuss them in more detail in the process section. I read the article about the three R’s of inquiry. I found it to be a very interesting (yet long) article. I went back and looked at some Powerpoint graphics, too. I’m beginning to get ideas about how I want my presentation to look.

To be quite honest, I didn’t use that many processes this week for completing my work and if I did, then I wasn’t paying much attention to them! I guess I didn’t really have to because all assignments were pretty cut and dry. I thoroughly searched through the databases for articles and I decided to use Academic Search Elite this week since I used both ERIC and PsycINFO last week. I also tried new keywords this week during my ERIC search and I actually came up with some good results. I decided to have them delivered to me via e-mail so that I can give them a closer look. When it came to drafting two other genres, I found the processes to be rather simple. I have read so much about aspects of my topic and I also work with an autistic individual, so it was rather easy for me to do. In writing the poem, I tried to envision my client (in real life) and people’s reactions to him when we go out in public. Most of the time people know him and don’t give his disability a second thought, but others do stare, and it makes me so angry. You would think that by now people would get some sense and realize that we aren’t all the same and that yes, there are people out there that have disabilities. It fascinates me that in a world where we all claim to celebrate differences and that we have come a long way from our old ways of thinking, people can still stare at and whisper about a child who has an obvious disability. Anyway, I also envisioned myself being a parent of an autistic child (which I can’t even begin to fathom) when writing the journal entries. It came to me easily because I thought about my client’s parents and the struggles that they sometimes go through. I also incorporated some of my mailing list discussion material. Some of the parents that use this list bring up some interesting stories about their children’s behaviors. So far, this list has been pretty helpful. In regards to the prompt that we were to write for this class (the article about the three R’s of inquiry), I read the articles (over a period of three hours—it was too long for my attn. span!) and found one statement that really stuck out. I developed my prompt from that statement.

This week’s work has really made me think about what it’s really like for the families of autistic children. I kind-of already had some idea (even though I don’t think I’ll ever know) because of my working with an autistic child and seeing the struggles that his family faces. I have also come to the conclusion that even though I don’t like some of the discussions that are taking place on my discussion list (e.g.—Discussing how some SLP’s that work with some of these people’s children aren’t doing a good job at implementing the ABA programs), I have found it to be quite helpful when drafting my genres. Finally, doing this work has really made me see how close-minded people can be. I guess I have experienced this with my client (when taking him out in the community), but I have never really sat back and thought about their reactions to him. This really surprises me, because I am usually very reflective and analytical. Perhaps I just didn’t want to think about it, because honestly, it disgusts me. No matter how far we claim we have come from old ways of discriminatory thinking, there will always be very ignorant people in the world. It makes me sad. It frustrates me and it angers me; however, I know that not all people are this way and perhaps that’s what matters in the long run.

Currently, I have no questions. I looked back and found that I really didn’t have any questions from last week. I am sure that some questions will arise between now and say, tomorrow, so I will send them via the class list to be answered. Until next week…

Heather P.

I can’t believe that it’s almost midterm. Have you ever looked back upon the past month and you find yourself not remembering one thing about it? That’s what I did this weekend. I started thinking about September and I couldn’t remember anything about what had happened in school, at work, in my personal life…nothing. I guess that means my life is for the most part pretty uneventful, but I guess that’s not such a bad thing. Here we go…

I am continuing to manage my time wisely in this class, although we didn’t have hardly any assignments this week. This week, I set out to give my project some deep thought. Little did I know that I would be troubled by some research that I would soon run across that would force me to do just that (think deeply about the MRP). I also set out to begin drafting some of my genres. Although I didn’t quite get around to doing this, I thought that it would help me in the weeks to come (in case I have other assignments/projects/exams in other classes). This will have to be an objective of mine for next week, seeing how we are required to begin this as part of the weekly assignments. Who knows? I might have done it anyway (or, maybe not). As I had mentioned earlier, I am doing a good job in managing my time, so this I will try to continue to do in the weeks to come.

Oh content, content, content. What happened (or more appropriately, what did I learn) in this class this week. Well, I finally changed the colors in my blog (aren’t they nice?). Actually, I really don’t like them. I like the green, white, and yellow together but the red title kind-of looks Christmasy. I’m going to have to play around a bit (an objective for next week!). I also liked practicing with Powerpoint on Wednesday. I kind-of knew how to set up Powerpoint and some things that you could do with it, but I have never actually done it. It was neat. It was nice to reflect back upon all of that evaluating we did last week with the websites (Assignment 2.2.3 “Web Evaluations ‘n Me”). Geneva said some really profound things about web evaluations in her assignment. She kind-of got my wheels turning about the whole process (thanks G!!). I also found some really good articles in the ERIC and PsycINFO databases this week. I also talked with Mrs. McComas about my MRP. I had to have a little heart-to-heart with her about something that I found out (discussed in process portion). I always feel better after talking with her.

The processes…were not so much abundant as they were significant. I came to a new place in my thinking this week while I was doing research. I began reading different articles; some stuff on ABA and DTT and some articles by Amy Weatherby (courtesy of Mrs. Laura Thomas). What I found was well, rather dumbfounding. I think Dave Matthews said it best in the first few words of his tune “Seek Up”. He said:

“Oh life it seems a struggle between what we see and what we do…” ,

(notice how I have Dave lyrics for everything—that’s why I think he’s so awesome…he speaks to me). Well, I encountered this struggle this week and as a result, I have come to a new place in my thinking. I found that something I have been doing for almost a year now is not something that I agree with well, completely. I clearly see a division between knowing something and doing it…they are completely different. While doing Discrete Trial Training (DTT) with an autistic client, I was doing it because it’s what I had been told to do. I began reading about this technique (which I should have done in the first place), really researching it and you know what? I discovered that I don’t really care too much for it. I don’t really like the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approach either (well, fully). I think that these approaches work very well with behavior endeavors (such as aggressive behaviors, noncompliant behaviors, etc.); however, in terms of functional communication, I think these approaches extinguish it. As Mrs. McComas said, “One size doesn’t fit all”, and frankly, I couldn’t have said it better myself. How frustrating it is and yet how wonderful at the same time to have your thoughts turned upside down. I’m still researching, I want to know more. I can’t help it; I just need to know more. I’m the type of person that has to believe something; I have to have something to hold on to. The only way that I can get there is through research…and lots of it.

The above thought process was probably the most noteworthy this week. Other processes that I used this week include looking up the html color chart in order to change the colors in my blog and I began thinking about my Powerpoint presentation. Wednesday’s lab session really got me thinking about how I wanted to present my stuff. I began thinking of what my backgrounds might look like and what images I might use. Believe it or not, I’m beginning to get excited about adding all of these personal touches to my MRP. As I mentioned earlier, Assignment 2.2.3 really got me thinking about the work that I want to do. I want it to be credible and accurate. I want all of the work that I put into this project to look like I put a lot of work into it and like I know what I’m talking about (God forbid I do something like that elephant article!!). Anyway, I think that’s all of the processing I did this week (unless I’ve succumbed once again to that not remembering the past week phenomenon that I mentioned earlier!!).

Of course I just mentioned the new place that I have arrived in my thinking. Overall, I feel that I’m on to something. What is that something? To be honest, I haven’t a clue, but I do know this: it’s not the answer. It may not even be an answer. One thing’s for sure though, I’m probably close to getting to that point where I say, “Ah ha. This is exactly what I was looking for.” Until then, I will continue to do what I have always been doing with my client and why shouldn’t I? Even though I don’t necessarily completely agree with the DTT technique, it’s what my client’s parents think works for him. I can’t argue with that and I really respect that. From a Speech-pathologist’s point of view, this technique isn’t necessary a good thing; however, I’m not a parent, especially a parent of an autistic child. I can’t even fathom what that must be like. In my opinion, most of these parents desperately seek something to decrease the occurrence of behaviors associated with autism, and rightfully so. When they find something that works in terms of behaviors (including aggressive behaviors), they latch onto it. I am not criticizing here, because I imagine I would do the same and at all costs. I guess it comes down to this: sometimes you have to sacrifice some things (functional language) to get to what really matters most (a child who is mostly under control and whose behaviors are minimized). Sometimes, people do what they have to do and I think that I just worked through the problem that I had with these approaches in the first place. Thank goodness for journaling!!

I have no questions at this time. I think that I have found some answers to my questions from last week (see last paragraph of Week 5 Online Journal). I have found some things on different aggressive management techniques used by SLP’s. I’m in the process of looking over these articles. Also, I think that I’m going to stick with my genres that I presented in my project prospectus, unless I get a good idea that fits with something else (INDECISIVE—that’s my middle name). More next time…

Heather P.

I’m sorry, is it almost Monday already?? It seems as though this week was gone before I even knew it had started. I don’t even remember Monday and Tuesday seems like a blur as well. Gee, I wish that all weeks were like this one!! On with the journaling…

I came into this week with several aims and objectives. As I had mentioned last week, I wanted to manage my time more wisely in this class and space the assignments out so that I wasn’t doing so much at the last minute. I actually stuck to my plan (I planned out my week on Sunday) and did all of the assignments that I set out to do. Also, I set aside two hours each day to work on these assignments (some advice Mrs. McComas gave me). This also seemed to work quite well. I also aimed to dig deeper into my topic and to do some researching. Although I didn’t do as much as I would have liked to, I did find some really neat articles and websites and I bookmarked each of them (which was another objective of mine for the week—to bookmark some really good sites). Also, I set out to really do some thinking in terms of what questions (foundation and the essential) I wanted to ask and that I wanted an answer for (not the answer for). I feel that I did that, but that this will also be an objective of mine for the next week (and perhaps the weeks after that). Most of the objectives that I had this week will carry on into the next week as well.

There was quite a bit of content this week. Like I mentioned in the online discussion this week, I am having so much fun developing my webliography. I have found myself playing with it this week and adding more stuff as soon as I can find it (except for the research links, because I am in the process of evaluating my sites for credibility!!). Evaluating the resources this week was something that I probably should have learned how to do a long, long time ago. I never knew that there was so much to look for when checking a site’s credibility. It makes me wonder how many sites I have used in the past that were not credible (how scary!!). Also this week, I developed my revised foundation questions and put them in the order that I want to present them. As of right now, I am content with them, however, I am the most indecisive and change-loving person in the world so they are very tentative!! Besides the class content, there was also a lot of research content that I came across. I am getting a little worried though, because I cannot seem to find any information on any other behavior management techniques (besides ABA and Discrete Trial Training). I guess I’ll just have to look harder! I read over the MRP instructions and visited some of the example MRP’s that were complete last summer. It was very neat to see how it will all come together, although it’s a little hard to see that right now. Ah yes, and the project prospectus. It didn’t take me that long to figure it out, because I had been thinking about it a lot this week. I think I may be piecing it together bit by bit and very slowly (but surely).

I used many processes this week. For one, I used a process in trying to complete my work in a timely manner and it seemed to work out well. I just continued to plan my week on Sunday evening, and allotted myself enough time to do so (2 hrs. a day) so that I wouldn’t have a lot to do for the weekend. I think this is something that I will continue to do in the weeks to come. I also evaluated, evaluated, evaluated, when it came to resources on the Web. Although they weren’t my original processes (mostly Purdue University’s), I utilized them to see what information is really credible and what information isn’t. Although it was a lengthy process (checking all of that stuff and looking around all of the sites took a lot of time!!), I feel that it was very worth it. Another process that I used during this week was bookmarking the sites that seemed to be credible and writing down their addresses so that I can add them to my webliography later. I will continue to utilize this process as the weeks go on. Also, in regards to the project prospectus, I had been thinking about this assignment all week. I decided to go with the things (genres) that would fit logically with my questions. I also chose some that I knew I would enjoy (interview script, e-mail exchange). The good thing about the prospectus is that everything is quite tentative (which is quite nice for us indecisive types!!).

Overall, I feel that I was quite productive this week. There was a lot to do and I did it (well, most of it). I was listening to a Dave song (off of his new album “Busted Stuff”) and I heard some lyrics from the song “You Never Know” that sum up how I have felt about this class and the assignments this past week:
"Out of the darkness comes light...
Like a flash, you think you can,
You think you can..."

I have felt so overwhelmed in the past weeks and because things are beginning to slow down a bit, I feel as though I can see the light at the end and “I think I can, I think I can”. I’m just glad that I could find something that is so interesting to me and that I’m very passionate about to do my MRP on. I’m also so glad that I now know how to look at Web resources and evaluate them to see how credible they are. This is something that will not only be useful to me now, but this will also come in handy throughout my life. How grateful I am for those assignments (even though they took a long time to complete!!).

At this time, I don’t have any questions. However, I feel that I have answered the questions from last week’s entry. I do want to pursue aggressive behavior management in regards to my MRP and I feel content with the essential and foundation questions that I have formed. I do feel that there is some very useful information out there for me, but I need to find more info. On other behavior management techniques (other than ABA and Discrete Trail Training (DTT) ). Also, Mrs. McComas answered the other question that I had which was something like “Are things going to slow down soon?” I suppose the answer to that won’t be apparent until next week (Week 6). I have two questions as of right now: 1) Am I going to be able to find information on other techniques besides ABA and DDT? and 2) What genres will work best for the topic that I am pursuing and which genres will help me to find an answer to my questions?

That’s all for now. Until next time…

Heather P.