Research-Based Best Practice. HUH?

Yes, most of us know that the law requires us to use research-based best practice while teaching everything from calculus to social skills.


Yes, most of us would love to know what those most current research-based best practices are.


Yes, most of us would also like to say that just because something is research-based, does not mean it is necessarily useful in our specific situations or that the data wasn't skewed so the researcher could publish or prove his/her assumption true.


Yes, most of us would also like to be acknowledged for all the great methodologies and strategies we use daily that are based in us just being good teachers.


I am not saying research isn't a great thing.  It is.  Without it we would not be where we are in so many areas. But what I am saying is that some long ago research-based practices are outdated and no longer work.  And that some of those practices were never really all that anyway.


One such strategy is using only ABA methods with AUT kids.  Even though it is really the only well researched, much published and practiced method for working with AUT kids, it is NOT, by any means, THE BESTEST and ONLY way to work with AUT kids. In fact, there are some great newer methods that work really well, even better for some AUT kids.  Greenspan's Floor Time, Autism Treatment Center's Son Rise Program, just having a relationship with the kids, meeting the kids where they are...


Or the emphasis on behavior modification, level systems and token economies.  Do they work?  Yes, absolutely in certain situations, with certain kids, and with very specific goals in mind.  Do they work with all kids, in all situations, for the long term, or with certain mental health issues?  Absolutely NOT. In fact, if used inappropriately, they cause harm, they alienate, they don't extinguish target behaviors.  There are other great tools like cognitive behavioral therapy, using a psycho educational approach, feedback, Richard Lavoie's methods for helping kids socially, just having a relationship with the kids, meeting the kids where they are......


It is just hard to measure these alternative methods using traditional research protocol.  But does that mean they aren't effective?  Does that mean we should not use them?


Let's keep our wits about us, not throw common sense to the wind.


What I propose is that we stop staying in our academic heads only and do what all great teachers have been doing since the beginning of time.  Be smart about how we teach, know our kids, and love them, work our asses off, and never stop looking for and trying any solution that looks like it just  might work.... researched or not.

Note Changes!

To my few loyal readers.  


In the last few days or so I have experienced some angst filled hours.  Sitting in my skin uncomfortably.  Wondering why things weren't fitting.  An inner voice screaming at me, but the harder I listened the fainter the voice got.  Some really intense and strange dreams that stay with me all day.  Some really great conversations with friends, old and new that reminded me who I am.


Note, readers, that some things have changed on this page.  Since its beginning a month ago it has become quite obvious this blog needs to morph into my real voice, my true heart, explore the personal as well as the professional.  I cannot carry on without really exploring the personal, and stupidly, at the onset I thought I could.  So, each entry was a struggle to stay professional enough, to stay on education based topic.  


Well, this blog is taking on a different voice.  My professional is very personal. My personal wraps around my professional.  This journey would not be complete without real personal reflection (yeah, I am sick of that word too).  Not just the relatively tame personal reflective bullshit I was spitting out before, but the real gut wrenching, goofy, eating fried things dipped in chocolate because I am in such turmoil about so many things stuff... all the professional and personal gunk that makes up my life.  


I have taken control again.  I have made accommodations in my course work.  I am adapting assignments to fit MY needs.  And get this.  I am not even asking for permission from my professors.  I am just handing the stuff in and hoping for the best, suspecting I will get the worst.  It's OK.  I am doing all of this for me, so it better be more about me.


I have nothing to prove.  I am tired of dancing around incompetent, inexperienced colleagues and administrators who negatively impact my life.  Public education has become a model of mediocrity for a reason.  I am a mad mom, a mad teacher, and mad tax payer.  I celebrate the good stuff.  I do.  But the negative stuff has way too big a voice.  We need to get this right.  I need to get right with myself.  


So, enjoy the new voice.  If you don't enjoy it, please don't feel compelled to keep checking in.