Question

John is verbal with limited language skills. He can sing in complete sentences (echolalic) but communicates using one- or two-word phrases. He communicates mostly by pointing. When he does speak, his enunciation is poor except when he is angry at which time his words are clear. He displays self-stimulatory behavior in the form of rocking, hand-turning, and hand flapping. His gross motor skills are below normal. His sleep was good, but he is defiant and unable to calm down at bedtime. He shows no interest in other children.

How would you intervene with respect to improving bedtime or improving interactions with other children?
a) Implement a bedtime routine with calming activities, such as reading a book or listening to soft music.

b) Introduce social skills training to enhance John's interactions with other children.

c) Increase verbal communication through speech therapy to improve language skills.

d) Encourage sensory integration activities to address self-stimulatory behaviors.

Answer 1

For a child with bedtime and social interaction issues, a structured bedtime routine with calming activities, social skills training for peer interactions, speech therapy to improve communication, and sensory integration activities to cope with self-stimulatory behaviors are beneficial interventions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Interventions for Improving Bedtime Routine and Social Interactions

To address the challenges with bedtime and interactions with other children for a child who has limited language skills, self-stimulatory habits, and difficulty with gross motor skills, there are several interventions that could be beneficial:

Implement a bedtime routine that includes calming activities like reading a book or listening to soft music to help transition the child into sleep. Consistency and predictability in the routine will create a calming effect and reduce defiance at bedtime.

Introduce social skills training to improve interactions with peers. This training can include role-playing, social stories, and guided play sessions to help the child learn appropriate social responses and improve his engagement with others.

Enhance verbal communication through speech therapy. Linking words with actions and using visual aids can support language development, while targeted exercises can improve his articulation and speech clarity. Positive reinforcement should be utilized to encourage more verbal attempts.

Integrate sensory integration activities to address self-stimulatory behaviors which may be a coping mechanism for sensory processing issues. Activities might include therapy swings, or textured objects, which can provide appropriate sensory input and redirect stimulatory behavior.