Summer2020-Mag-1

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Rapid Prompting method-autism For parents, one of the top 3 developmental milestones in the first years of their children’s lives is learning to talk. For some children with autism or other developmental issues, talking is a developmental milestone they will reach months or years later than “neuro-typical” children (and some will be non-verbal for life). When my younger son was a toddler, “early intervention” wasn’t available. He made his frustration with his communication difficulties known by shrieking; often and loudly. One day, his older brother read to him a 79 cent Golden Book we had just bought “My First Book of Animal Sounds”. I still don’t know exactly how it worked, but it did. My son got the connection between the words and the animal sounds; and the language barrier was broken! Soon to follow were requests for pizza and other foods, various toys, and so on. While parents and siblings often play a crucial role in a child’s learning to talk (as we did); professionals are sometimes needed to lend a hand in the process. There are a variety of therapies and techniques available, according to the reason(s) for the developmental lag. One type of therapy, called RPM (Rapid Prompting Method) can be used with children with sensory challenges such as Autism. “Soma® RPM is academic instruction leading towards communication for persons with autism. Soma Mukhopadhyay developed Rapid Prompting Method to teach her own son Tito, who is a published writer despite his autism.” I am pleased to introduce Jackie Dorshorst, who is an RPM therapist, to tell you more about RPM. “RPM is an academic teaching method that may lead to communication. It is first and foremost considered a method of teaching. Many students progress to communication through lessons. During a session, the teacher’s job is to get the student to an optimal state of learning. This means that the student is able to take information in and give a response. RPM provides a mode of response to the student. This mode of response may be a choice of words or spelling the answer on a letter board. Prompting is used as needed but it is extremely important to note that prompting is faded as the student progresses. As the student makes progress, they go from written choices to spelling specific answers to spelling more open-ended answers. During sessions, the teacher may also work on different skills such as speech and/or writing. The ultimate goal for RPM is independence. This can take much time to achieve. Students who have goals for independence may work on holding a letter board, spelling with the letter board flat on a table, typing on a computer or using an iPad to spell (among other goals). RPM goes beyond the letter board as well. Many students have used the process of RPM to learn self-help, reading or leisure skills, among others.” 17
Rapid Prompting Method-Autism HALO is a non-profit organization providing Soma® RPM, which is academic instruction leading towards communication for persons with autism. Soma Mukhopadhyay developed Rapid Prompting Method to teach her own son Tito who is a published writer despite his autism. HALO’s clinic in Austin, Texas is where she conducts 1:1 Soma® RPM education and training. www.halo-soma.org For more info: Please watch this video on YouTube. M 18
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Page 5 and 6: I have experienced this dilemma fir
Page 7 and 8: Well, it seems that everyone is wor
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Summer2020-Mag-1

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