TAGteacher Tale: TAGteach After Hip Surgey

By Luca Canver (Level 3 TAGteacher)

My father-in-law had a hip operation, with replacement of the femoral head, last May. This intervention, almost routine, includes a long rehabilitation phase: Using crutches, recovery of muscle tone and adopting good postures when walking. This is not easy, because in addition to the intervention, we must add the habit of poor posture (caused by pain to move the leg before the surgery). After the hospital days, and a first rehabilitation period, the person returns home with crutches to manage, correct posture to regain and therapy exercises to do.

Yikes, Information Overload! So I thought that TAGteach could be of help.

Tag Point #1: Toe on the Line

The first detail on which we focused keeping toes pointed straight forward. Seemingly an easy task, but to complicate the picture you must add the use of crutches. We started focusing on a single movement. Standing still we use, as target, the lines on the floor: We practiced the behavior "toes forward" isolating it from the rest of the movements and standing still. In the video, the tag point is: "Toe upon the line"

Tag Point # 2: Paired

In this kind of surgery patients are, obviously, required to use crutches. To optimize the loading of weights, crutches and arms are made to move in an unnatural way: moving at the same time the arm and leg on the same side of the body. For example: the right arm and right leg move in unison. An unnatural movement to focus on, while at the same time remembering the toe that needs to go straight all while adjusting to the use of crutches.

In the second video we have adopted a slightly different version of the cousin tag point: our attention was still focused on posture (toe forward), but we wanted to put it in the context of walking with crutches. For this reason the "toe forward" was included in the Directions. To help the person we used as a target a line on the asphalt (you can clearly see it in the video). The tag point has focused on moving parallel arm and leg. Aware of the difficulties of this I asked the person to label this behavior (a personalized tag point), so it was easier for him to process the information, freeing up a little bit of cognitive resources for toe forward. The answer was: “appaiati” ("paired" in English).

The directions are: "toe upon the line".

The tag point is "paired".

Editor's Note: You may have noticed two things about these videos: 

1. The captions and the talking are in Italian, but it is easy for anyone of any language to understand what is going on. TAGteach translcends language barriers.
2. The learner performed the task so easily that you might think, "What's the big deal?". In fact, TAGteach done well does look effortless and should. The skill of the teacher in breaking down the task, setting achievable tag points, starting from a point of success, creating a suitable environment and limiting the use of language to critical elements all work together to create the appearance of ease. Fantastico Luca!

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TAGteacher Tale: Stranger on the Train - A Tale of Compassion (Part 2)

Here is part 2 of Mara Windstar's tagging session with a stranger she met on the train - pretty racy stuff!

If you missed part 1 click here.

By Mara Windstar

This morning (Monday June 3, 2013) was the second TAGteach session with my new friend, for the process of learning ways in which he can get his needs met when traveling on the MAX train. This goal includes asking for a place to sit if there are no seats available.

Today's session was focused on him identifying how he might ask for a seat in a way that would be comfortable and natural for him. From my experience, this can be very difficult to come up with out of the blue for quite a few people. The TAGteach approach I took was different than I had done before.

Choosing the Tag Point

He decided what the tag point would be, and he would be the one to tag me verbalizing various requests for asking if I could have a seat.

He identified the tag point as: what I'm hearing is what I could say. (his interpretation was "that one!")

My goal was for him to be looking for how he wanted to express himself, as opposed to thinking "I would never say that!"

After 12 tags, he had a couple of key words that he could start with.

These included variations of...

Keywords that would work form him: anyone, offer, safety/prevent.

"is there anyone that could offer their seat for me please, to prevent a fall?"

"Thank you!!"

He was very excited about this. The key factor that he found working for him was "anyone". Asking a particular person felt very rejecting to him if it didn't work, and could easily trigger a response similar to the one that preceded our working on this. Also, eye contact can be very difficult, so he could pan a bit to look at people vs. eye contact with one specific person.

Practicing in a Real-Life Situation

Sequence 1

We met again this morning and boarded and exited the MAX numerous times. Our sequence went as follows:

1. Mara's chair parked in wheelchair location and Mara sitting on the aisle side seat in front of her chair.

2. Person asks if anyone could offer a seat, I responded confirming I could do that, and I moved into my chair.

3. Person thanked me for the offer.

4. We did this with the 2 configurations within the area for seniors and people with disabilities.


Sequences 2-4

Sequence 2, 3 and 4. with person boarding at different MAX train stops.

1. Mara seated in powerchair in designated area.

2. Person enters and asks "Could anyone please offer their seat for my needs?"

3. someone offered. and stood up

4. Person Thanked them for allowing him to prevent a fall!

Sequence 5

1. Mara seated in powerchair in designated area.

2. Person enters and goes to an area that is not in the accessible designated area and asks "Could anyone please offer their seat so I don't fall?)

3. someone offered. and stood up

4. Person Thanked them for allowing him to prevent a fall!

Going Solo

We made our way several miles and back. He feels he is ready to solo and is going to let me know how it goes. He also commented that he spoke to a person on the train on the last ride, which I also saw from a distance. He's never spoken to anyone on the train before, he's just been too uncomfortable!

These are exactly the kind of things that have been helpful for me to bridge outside of myself in conversations that I otherwise worried about.

Confidence really breaks down barriers... within ourselves.

Every day a new experience.

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Upcoming TAGteach Events

TAGteach and Clicker Training - The Dynamic Duo

Date: Aug 3-4, 2013
Location: Bolingbrook IL
Get more info and register

Webinar - Tag! Not Just Another Game at Camp (TAGteach with Teens at Camp)

Date: Aug 13, 2013
Location: Online
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TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar

Date: Aug 31-Sep 1, 2013
Location: Halifax, England
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TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar

Date: Sep 7-Sep 8, 2013
Location: Bristol, England
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TAGteach and Chicken Camp with Luca Canever and Terry Ryan

Date: Sep 12-15, 2013
Location: Verona, Italy
Get more info and register

TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar/Séminaire TAGteach de base avec certificat (en français)

Date: Sep 21-22, 2013
Location: Crêt-Bérard-Puidoux, Switzerland (Near Geneva)
Get more info and register

TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar Eva Bertilsson Och Emelie Vegh-Johnson

Date: Nov 16-17, 2013
Location: Bengtemöllevägen 5 i Brösarp
Get more info and register

TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar

Date: Feb 8-9, 2014
Location: Tampa FL (Busch Gardens)
Get more info and register

TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar

Date: Mar 8-9, 2014
Location: Denver CO
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TAGteacher Tale: Stranger on the Train - A Tale of Compassion (Part 1)

This post is from Mara Windstar, who despite her own challenges, went to the effort of helping a complete stranger. You are awesome Mara!

Mara and Dixie the Service Dog

By Mara Windstar

Yesterday I was headed home after a great acupuncture treatment, and waiting for the transit train. It was the start of Friday night rush hour, so to say the train was crowded was an understatement. I entered the train in my power wheelchair followed by a young man who was walking. I've seen him numerous times, but never spoken with him as we have not sat close enough to one another to converse.

As I squeezed on with my monster chair he moved forward and asked a young woman if he could please sit down. The teen replied in a loud voice "you ain't no senior or disabled. And I ain't movin! I paid for this seat!"

I've observed in the past that the gentleman (early 20's in age possibly) has a difficult time standing and balancing on a moving train. He said nothing else, and was hanging onto a pole precariously. It was obvious that he really needed to sit down, but I knew he would not ask again nor ask any one else. This was a safety issue, and people were just staring at him.

I started to move my chair a little bit back and forth. A person on the opposite side of the aisle asked if I would like the wheelchair spot and I said yes and thanked him very much. I mentioned I was worried about safety and knew that spot was safer for everyone.

At the next stop, I asked the young man who had asked to sit down, if he could help me pull the seat down in front of me so more people could sit. He did so, and I invited him to sit down. He smiled, sat down and said thank you in a very quiet voice all without eye contact. I then transferred out of my powerchair and sat next to him. We started a conversation about a completely different topic from what had just occurred. The teen girl was fuming and cursing, "oh sure, you people all gotta stick together. That is so unfair! You don't even need that damn chair lady!"

"As a matter of fact I do, and it is not safe for me to transfer out of my chair on the train, any more than it is for my friend to stand while the train is moving. Since no one else offered a seat, I did. It's about safety. And I want you to know that if it wasn't safe for you, I would have found a seat for you also!"

I immediately went back to the conversation with the young man next to me, because I could sense we had some similarities in that he probably would just get off to avoid the discomfort of the situation.

We get off at the same stop, so I asked if he had a few more minutes to talk. Needless to say the conversation was far longer than a few minutes.

We talked about how hard it is to get our needs met when we have low self esteem, are ashamed of ourselves, or otherwise feel unworthy. We had more in common than he knew, that's for sure.

Before I knew it, we were mapping out what he'd like to be able to do in this type of situation, and how that might be possible.

We built an ongoing TAG plan for figuring how riding the train, and getting his needs met for safety could happen.

His goal is to secure a safe place to sit on public transportation, free from feelings of guilt.

To build confidence first, we are back chaining from the appreciation of having successfully secured a seat.

Our first session is completed.

The tag point was... "Thank you!"

Tomorrow is our next session and we are setting out to complete 2 more steps in the plan.

Stay tuned for part 2!

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The Cousin Tag Point - It's All Related

By Theresa McKeon

A cousin tag point is a tag point that holds up an alternative route to success.

A cousin is a relative descended from a common ancestor. A cousin tag point comes from a common goal but can be used to arc around a particular point of stress or distraction while still encouraging success and the completion of the original desired behavior.

Example: 
A child is able, but still cautious about touching a horse. The most obvious tag point “touch horse” may still be a little scary. A cousin tag point could carry student past any lingering fear and help drive focus to the subsequent non-stressful point of success.

The instructions are: after touching the horse, touch my hand
The tag point is: touch my hand

Now the focus is deflected off the part we know to be stressful (touch the horse) and placed on an easy point of success, (touch my hand). “Touch the horse” is still part of the instructions, but positioned as a casual behavior before the exciting and reinforced tag point.

Example:
A psychiatrist working with a patient with agoraphobia had a brilliant example of a cousin tag point.
The patient was able to leave her apartment but was very stressed when doing so. The psychiatrist wanted her to practice taking one step beyond the door. The obvious “take one step out” did qualify as a tag point under the WOOF criteria, but funneled all of the client’s focus onto the very behavior that was most challenging. Instead, the doctor created a cousin tag point.

The instructions are: step outside the apartment and then step back in the apartment
The tag point is: step back into apartment

The easier task of “step back into apartment” (which cannot be completed without first stepping out of the apartment) was repositioned as the highlighted and reinforced behavior. The patient was pleased to focus on returning to safety and was less stressed about taking the step out.

Before you create your next tag point, spend a moment and decide if a cousin tag point might just be the “relative” you want to have around!

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TAG! Not Just Another Game at Camp

By Karin Coyne and Abigail Curtis DVM

Twelve teenage girls, twelve dogs, four days and three nights. How does one manage that without yelling, nagging or feeling frustrated? Seven years ago, we started a 4-H dog camp along with another friend. Teenagers and their dogs come to camp and try a variety of activities: agility, obedience, tracking, nosework, flyball, and anything else we can imagine. Teaching the activities is the easy part, but how do you manage that many campers and dogs? TAGteach to the rescue!

The first few years of camp, we attempted to use TAGteach based on what we had been able to pick up on the internet and applying the principles of clicker training to people. It went... okay.  There were parts that didn’t seem to work and we had a hard time implementing it.  The campers still had a good time, but it simply didn’t work as smoothly as we wanted it to.

We Went to a TAGteach Seminar!

Until we went to a seminar. That’s when it all clicked for us. We came out of there simply bursting with ideas. It changed the way we taught, the way we managed campers, and most importantly, it changed the way we THOUGHT.

Yes, the tag points are important and the reinforcement schedules we have developed make a huge difference, but for us, the real value comes in how we think about our campers.  We teach with positive reinforcement at camp. Period. It doesn’t matter if you are a dog, a camper, a counselor, or our nurse (though we do make a special exception for any stinging insects that enter our cabins!) we give you the privilege of learning in an environment free of intimidation, fear, yelling, or nagging. The shift into TAG thinking is what has allowed us to do exactly that.

An Amazing Shift in Mindset

For example:
We do all of our own cooking at camp and the campers use real plates, cups and silverware.  This means that there are quite a few dirty dishes produced in one meal. One year, after spending too much time washing dishes, we had the brilliant idea to simply inform the campers that the tag point is: wash a dish. Each dish washed earns them a tag.  Now, instead of having to nag them about washing dishes we simply say “tag point is wash dishes” and they get washed. We noticed an interesting phenomenon at camp that year. Campers were heard discussing who last washed dishes, but instead of it being in the vein of “I did it already someone ELSE has to do it this time” it was instead in the vein of “I have already had the dish washing opportunity for earning tags, who wants it now?” Which was an amazing shift in mindset for use to observe.

Creative Solutions

Also, as we have practiced TAG thinking, it has become more natural and creative and positive solutions to problems come easier to us. At camp this year, the campers were sent on the task of packing all of their stuff up right before the last camp activity.  As soon as they were all done, we would be able to head up. The problem was, there was a lot of procrastination and it was impossible to tell if a camper was finished packing and just hanging about distracting the other campers or if she needed encouragement to get back on task.

The solution came to us in the when A then B tag point: When you are finished packing, the tag point is Popsicle.  It worked brilliantly for several reasons. One, there was increased motivation for completing packing as the tag point was inherently reinforcing.  Two, it was easy to see who was finished packing. And three, it is harder to be a distraction to other campers if you have a popsicle in your mouth!

By continually consciously practicing the art of TAG thinking, we have been able to make TAG a natural part of camp. Our campers have benefited significantly from our efforts, and your learners likely will tool!

Related Webinar





Click here for more information or to purchase the recorded webinar ($19.97)

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Upcoming TAGteach Events

TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar

Date: Jul 20-21, 2013
Location: Dublin CA
Get more info and register

TAGteach and Clicker Training - The Dynamic Duo

Date: Aug 3-4, 2013
Location: Bolingbrook IL
Get more info and register

Webinar - Tag! Not Just Another Game at Camp (TAGteach with Teens at Camp)

Date: Aug 13, 2013
Location: Online
Get more info and register

TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar

Date: Aug 31-Sep 1, 2013
Location: Halifax, England
Get more info and register

TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar

Date: Sep 7-Sep 8, 2013
Location: Bristol, England
Get more info and register

TAGteach and Chicken Camp with Luca Canever and Terry Ryan

Date: Sep 12-15, 2013
Location: Verona, Italy
Get more info and register

TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar/Séminaire TAGteach de base avec certificat (en français)

Date: Sep 21-22, 2013
Location: Crêt-Bérard-Puidoux, Switzerland (Near Geneva)
Get more info and register

TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar Eva Bertilsson Och Emelie Vegh-Johnson

Date: Nov 16-17, 2013
Location: Bengtemöllevägen 5 i Brösarp
Get more info and register

TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar

Date: Feb 8-9, 2014
Location: Tampa FL (Busch Gardens)
Get more info and register

TAGteach Primary Certification and Training Seminar

Date: Mar 8-9, 2014
Location: Tampa FL (Busch Gardens)
Get more info and register

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TAGteach Has Published its First Book!

Hey TAGteachers and Friends of TAGteach:

We are thrilled to announce that the first ever TAGteach published book is now available in the Kindle store on Amazon!

Here is a link to get the free Kindle Cloud Reader for computers and free reading apps for mobile devices.

Will You Help?

We would very much appreciate it if you would help us to spread the word about Chaos to Calm. Martha's book is in turn heart-breaking, humorous and brutally honest. She gives us a close-up look at what life is like for young parents with a profoundly non-verbal child with the frightening diagnosis of autism. The isolation, the uncertainty, the fear, the dreadful behaviors, the lack of sleep, the lack of help...This is the only book that we know of that gives step-by-step descriptions of the shaping process for many important behaviors (including going to sleep!). Martha explains how to capture a tiny flash of desirable behavior, reinforce it and build on success until it becomes a solid part of the child's behavior repertoire.

Every autism family seeks the light in an ocean of despair. Every autism mom, every autism dad, in fact every person who loves another person with autism, can use TAGteach with ease. This book shows you how.

How You Can Help

Here are some ways that you can help us get the word out to other autism parents who so desperately want to reach out and communicate with their child:

• Click on the picture of the book above to go to Amazon. Take a look at the reviews (they are awesome by the way) and click on the "yes" button if you think the review is helpful. The reviews that are the most helpful as measured by the number of "yeses" will remain prominent. This will help the book to do well, even if all you do is click on the yes beside the most helpful reviews. Each "yes" for a 5-star review boosts the prominence of that review.
• If you purchase the book, please write a review, or comment on an existing review. The more positive reviews the better the book will rank on Amazon.
• Spread the word by sharing this link to Martha's blog in your social media, AutismChaosToCalm.com where she will be providing more information and insight for parents.
• Visit Martha's blog and Facebook page and comment, like and share.
• Tell anyone you know who has a child diagnosed with autism, or who works with children on the spectrum about this remarkable book.
• Request an article from Martha, or an interview with Martha for your blog or podcast. Martha@tagteach.com

Speaking of Podcasts...

Listen to this terrific interview with Martha. Thanks to Annie Jennings PR for producing this super podcast.

Thanks to you for helping us spread the word! Congratulations to Martha for giving so much to help others.

The print version of the book will be available by the end of July, 2013

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TAGteaching: Yes I Do Train My Son

by Adria Karlsson, BCBA, CPDT-KA

Today I’m going to deviate from my typical “dog training” topic into the realm of “child training” or “teaching” as it is typically referred to!  In my previous life (really, up until December) I taught children with dyslexia how to read and write using the Orton-Gillingham method.  As I moved through my Masters program in Applied Behavior Analysis I came to realize that the reason that method is so successful is that it really is based on sound behavioral methodology.  During that time I also learned about TAGteach essentially, using applied behavior analysis in the form of clicker training to teach people. Now I also have my own children and am constantly considering the principles and methods of behaviorism when raising them. 

No Risks

My 2-year-old son, Oliver, is a very cautious toddler.  He explores new experiences but doesn’t like to take risks.  Recently I’ve been trying to get him to use the “roller board” on the back of the stroller so that he can mostly walk, but hop on and take a ride if he gets tired.  He wasn’t having any of it. So, today, after a whole weekend of thinking like a trainer, I decided that it made the most sense to “shape” the behavior of riding on the roller board.  

Shaping

Shaping is a way of teaching where you reinforce closer and closer approximations to the sought-after behavior.
In this case, the terminal behavior was stepping onto the roller board, holding onto the stroller, and staying on for a reasonable duration of time. (Reasonable is a bit undefined, but it changes depending on where we are going.) I used freeze-dried blueberries as the reinforcer as they are currently a hot favorite in our house. I didn’t use a clicker in this instance, but he received a verbal marker (good job! or other variations) and a blueberry while still in position immediately after performing to criteria. 

Criteria for Reinforcement

This is what I reinforced:

1. Putting one foot on the stationary board. (His dad modeled this twice and was given a blueberry each time, that was the last piece that was modeled.)
2. Putting two feet on the stationary board.
3. Holding onto the stroller with two feet on the stationary board for 5 seconds.
4. Holding onto the stroller with two feet on the board while moving for 5 seconds.
5. Holding onto the stroller with two feet on the board while moving for 10 seconds.
6. Holding onto the stroller with two feet on the board while moving for 15 seconds.
7. Holding onto the stroller with two feet on the board while moving for one entire city block.

Success!

And it worked!  With no more than 1 or maybe 2 blueberries at each stage and with never having to “put” Oliver on the board (he kept asking to get back up when he finished his blueberries), we successfully shaped the behavior.  We finished steps 1-7 by the time we got to Starbucks (10 minutes away), and he rode all the way home on the board afterwards. In the interest of full disclosure, he did get a lollipop from the barber that he sucked on all the way home, which may have also helped keep him there. But, isn’t shaping fabulous?

Reinforce Kids with Food Treats? Really?

Many people are uncomfortable with reinforcing their children with food, but really- what were my alternatives here? As I see it, I could have done these:

• Held him on the board until he “got used to it”
• Waited six months until he understood the “rule” about standing on the board.
• Given up.

Wasn’t shaping it using a handful of dried fruit a better option? My relationship with my son is healthy and happy; Oliver played a fun game and got to eat something he loves (and is even healthy!); and rather than six months of pushing around an extra stroller seat, we now have a functional option to walking.  Hurray!

Behavior Analysis = Happy Relationships

So no, this is not a parenting blog or a teaching blog- but it is a blog about behavior and that extends well beyond dogs.  It impacts every relationship in our lives and everything we want to teach to any organism- be it child, dog, or goldfish.  As such, I just wanted to share how I use applied behavior analysis in my day-to-day life to make it easier, less confrontational, and more positive.

Adria is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and owner of Click'n'Treat Dog Training LLC
adria@clickntreattraining.com


Do you ever wonder what your older kids REALLY want as reinforcers? To find this out, TAGteacher Lynn Loar asked them (huh!). Click here to read what the kids told Lynn

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TAGteacher Spotlight: Karin Coyne and Abigail Curtis DVM

Karin Coyne and Abigail Curtis are Level 2 TAGteachers and have been using TAGteach for over 7 years in various capacities. Neither of them can remember a “defining moment” where they discovered TAG, but suspect they learned about it when they were reading and absorbing everything they could about clicker training. After using TAG with some success in their summer camp for teenagers and dogs, the real epiphany came after attending a TAGteach seminar. They now had the tools and resources to solve those little areas that weren’t working quite right and everything fit together very smoothly.

As seems to be a typical for them, after using TAGteach at their camp very successfully for several years, they decided that wasn’t exciting enough and began experimenting with other uses of TAGteach in their lives. They had taken up the sport of parkour and remembered watching all of those brilliant gymnastic videos Theresa showed in the TAGteach seminar. Through experimentation, discussion with each other, and some cringe inducing videos (late tags, wrong tags, 20 minutes spent discussing how to tag “commitment,” etc.) the amount they have seen their TAGteaching skills improve by branching into a vastly different use of TAGteach has been an invaluable experience. Tag thinking now “invades” nearly every aspect of their lives and both have been known to awkwardly give tags to random strangers!

We are excited to welcome Karin and Abigail as guest webinar presenters this summer:

Join us on July 11 for a fascinating look at the sport of parkour and learn how to apply TAGteach principles to sport coaching. Click here for more info or to register.

Join us again on Aug 13 for fun and games at camp. Learn how to manage teenage campers while having a ton on fun and keeping everything positive. Click here for more info or to register.

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