#ABA Week Five

[aba-dog]

Narumitsu week day five: medieval/fantasy au

THAT ISEKAI AU IS STILL ALIVE OK AND SURE IT'S DAY SIX SO WHAT

A note for the ones who didn't read my og post about this au: Phoenix before dying and going to another world was married to Miles. He knows every way to reach to his heart ♥ and being forcefully engaged with him doesn't mean you cannot try to flirt your way around, right? 👀

[horsesource]

I’m getting obsessed with the arguments between Positive Reinforcement (R+) vs Balanced (uses “aversives”) animal training. So many of the R+ advocates seem incapable of realizing that solely rewarding behavior can absolutely be cruel--the idea seems to be that if treats and sweet voices replace aversive training tools, the possibility of cruelty vanishes: only unconditional love and dogs' "desire to please" remains.

I haven't trained a dog. In fact, if I look back at the family dogs I've shared my life with, they desperately lacked training. I have, however, worked at a place that intended to train autistic children. This place was full-on R+. We were not allowed to use "limit-setting language" (this includes the word "no"); we were to rely upon "errorless learning", prizes and praises for good behavior; we were required to "ignore and redirect" bad behavior. Guess what? This was completely ineffective. I watched so many children's behavioral issues worsen over time. I watched children quite deliberately fuck with teachers, who the children knew were powerless to administer meaningful consequences. I watched children ignore and even seem angered by effusive "gooooooood job!"s.

Now I want to follow the path behaviorism took in its application to humans (mostly humans called autistic)...

As many know, Ivar Lovaas, the man who did much work to establish Applied Behavior Analysis as the "gold standard" of autism intervention, utilized aversive punishment. Take this 1974 interview excerpt:

"When we first started to treat autistic kids we began with only one child. I would pick up Beth at her parents’ house at 9:00 in the morning and I would drop her off at three, so we had her for about six hours a day, five days a week. You spend that much time with someone and you get to know them pretty well. In fact, I saw more of her than I did of my own children. Well, what happened was that she ceased to be a patient for me—she was simply a child, just like one of my own children.

Beth did very well in some ways; she learned very quickly. But she was also very self-destructive. One day I was talking with her teacher and Beth began hitting her head against the edge of a steel cabinet. She would only hit steel cabinets and she would only hit them on the edge because, you see, she wanted to draw blood. Well, I think because I knew her so well, I just reacted automatically, the way I would have with one of my own children. I just reached over and cracked her one right on the rear. She was a big fat girl so I had an easy target. And I remember her reaction: She turned around and looked at me as if to say, 'What the hell is going on? Is this a psychiatric clinic or isn’t it?' And she stopped hitting herself for about 30 seconds and then, you see, she sized up the situation, laid out her strategy and then she hit herself once more. But in those 30 seconds while she was laying out her strategy, Professor Lovaas was laying out his. At first I thought, 'God, what have I done,' but then I noticed that she had stopped hitting herself. I felt guilty, but I felt great. Then she hit herself again and I really laid it on her. You see, by then I knew that she could inhibit it, and that she would inhibit it if she knew I would hit her. So I let her know that there was no question in my mind that I was going to kill her if she hit herself once more, and that was pretty much it. She hit herself a few times after that, but we had the problem licked. One of the things that this taught me was that if you treat these kids like patients, you are finished. The best thing you can do is treat them like people."

To contemporary readers, *to contemporary ABA practitioners*, this is horrifying! This is abuse! And I am not a fan of Lovaas. But you know, today when I read this, I do hold a peculiar kind of respect for his relationship with Beth, and that is what I want to focus on, not Lovaas’s legacy. What stands out to me in the relationship between Lovaas and Beth, as Lovaas tells it, are two things lacking from contemporary ABA manuals. Firstly, there is an emphasis on the particular relationship between two particular people, Lovaas and Beth--"You spend that much time with someone and you get to know them pretty well. In fact, I saw more of her than I did of my own children. Well, what happened was that she ceased to be a patient for me", "Well, I think because I knew her so well, I just reacted automatically, the way I would have with one of my own children"--Lovaas is claiming Beth as "his", as "one of his own children". And Beth, too, clearly has a hold on Lovaas. Lovaas feels guilt, he questions whether he has made the right disciplinary decision (note that this consideration cannot enter the mind of a behaviorist who considers themselves incapable of discipline). Lovaas does not "ignore and redirect" her. Lovaas demonstrates to Beth a committed seriousness to the eradication of her violent behavior. He does not repeatedly read a social story about "Why I Need to Be Safe Around Countertops" in a syrupy sweet voice, nor give her a cookie when she stops hitting her head. In fact, he engages in violent discipline against her behavior! But I do think there might be a coherence to this discipline that is not there in strictly praise-laden practices. I think part of this has to do with Lovaas's second important deviance from contemporary ABA: the attribution of intention to Beth's actions. Good contemporary behaviorists would never ascribe the sort of devious intention Lovaas ascribes to Beth. It's extremely common to hear things such as "well, he/she can't help [behavior]", "he/she doesn't know any better". This attitude is generally considered kindness, whether applied to children or dogs. I disagree. I have seen the training/teaching rhetoric of "they don't know", "all they know is love" cause real damage to relationships. I believe that this strictly positive behaviorism harms humans and our animals, despite its very popularity depending upon a fantasy of "harmless" training/teaching. I am not saying that every human or animal will benefit from verbal and physical discipline. I am sure there are some who will not. We ought to lend more commitment to the specificity of a relationship than to a method. My point is that many of us seem to think that if we eliminate certain tools or words, the potential for cruelty will vanish from our relations. On the contrary: I have seen horrific cruelty in the "kindest" of practices, and I have seen cases where the clarity of disciplinary action would lend a coherence "kinder" than ignorance, a cookie, or a "GOOOOOD JOB!".

[autball]

[Image description: Words with black lettering on a teal to light green gradient background, by Autball. It reads:

MENTAL HEALTH > SKILLS

Don’t sacrifice your child’s mental health for achievement or skill acquisition.

Because what good are skills to a person who is too broken to use them?]

This goes with the cartoon for this week, but the concept goes far beyond just ABA. This is for everything - school, other therapies, extracurriculars, employment, pushing someone to have a social life. We’re even programmed to do it to ourselves! 

Achievement and skills are fine things to have, yes, IF the person doesn’t have to hurt themselves to get there. Doing that for too long only leads to burnout, and then what do you have to show for all your hard work? What good is getting your kid “across the finish line” to high school graduation if they collapse in a heap and lose all functioning for the next five years? What’s the point of piling on the extra curriculars to impress colleges if you crash and burn once you get there? How does “socializing” help when it leaves us feeling depleted and lonely and only makes us want to avoid people even more? And no one likes to think about it, but what good is any of it if it pushes someone to literal death?

Your number one wish for you or your child should not be fitting in or productivity or complete independence. Those are honestly just not achievable for everyone. But even when they are achievable, *they rely on mental well being to be sustainable.*

Not everyone struggles so much that they have to choose between achieving a goal or preserving mental health. But if you find that you or your child are one of those people, choose mental health. Always. If your child is crying out for a break, either through words or behaviors, for the love of everything give it to them. “Pushing through” may not end the way you hope it will, and everything else really can wait.

Signed,

Someone who was too broken to use them when the time came.

[foster-the-world]

More info

I'm watching autism documentary #3. In a different key - it's interesting. Listened to five or six embracing autism podcast today. Talked to the special ed consultant. She was helpful.

She said they will recommend:

1. A SEIT (Masters degree special ed teacher) to do individual time with him for up to ten hours a week in his current class. She said all public schools should also have an OT, PT and a speech pathologist that he could see.

2. A 8:2, 10:2, or a 12:2 special ed class. They will provide all services including ABA therapy. The evaluator mentioned this on Friday so its mostly what I'm expecting they recommend.

Special ed consultant recommended if they give us the special ed school we should take it. They would bus him there. We will try to do a tour before our IEP meeting.

Unless the tour is super impressive at this point I would prefer to keep him in his current setting with the SEIT support. Our family prioritizes community/family highly. Both things would be given up/down played if we send him out of our community and without his sisters. Of course, we will do that if he really needs it but I don't see why we wouldn't at least try keeping him here. Everything says the least restrictive placement is best.

It helps that when I asked the assistant teacher how he is doing today she got a big smile on her face and said "He is doing great. He's playing, eating and sleeping. He's so funny." It made my heart so happy. Of course, he would still be great even if his teacher didn't see it. It's just really nice to know he's showing off his amazing self to others. He's high maintenance but he's so, so, so great.

It feels like whiplash going from fighting for two forty five minutes of OT per month for over a year to discussions of 10-30 hours of individual therapy at a special ed school to his gen ed teacher saying he's doing great.

Even if we don't follow her advice I appreciate the special ed consultants information. The only thing I didn't like was when she brushed off my questions about diversity of the student body in school options. She said it didn't matter. She did go on to say the priority at age three needs to be getting him the services he needs. Which makes sense. I would have appreciate that explanation with a "I know it really sucks but right now you can't prioritize that need because the special ed services are currently more important." Instead of claiming it doesn't matter. At some point we may not be able to prioritize finding a place with kids/teachers that look him, or a place in our lovely community or a place with his sisters. That doesn't mean those things aren't important. Those needs don't go away because he has special needs. The documentary is now featuring African American families of kids with autism. It's validating my concerns.

Researching ABA therapy. I don't even know what they would try to get him to do. He's not safe when he runs full speed without looking forward. When he's in a big crowd he gets all amped up and his body gets out of control in unsafe ways. I'm attaching a picture of the first day of school as an example. He was super excited to see everyone so he's movements increased tenfold. I would love to get him help with those things. I watched videos of ABA and don't know what they would do to help him through either of those issues? I'm reading the criticism's. I would like to see how its implemented in schools. I want to better understand what they are offering.

Let's see how the speech appointment goes tmrw. Its an hour train commute each way. Blah.

It's supposed to rain during Bee's park Birthday party. We can move it inside but its not ideal. Not really enough space for fifty people.

[silencedminstrel]

BACKSTAGE - THE PIBIAN DEATH METAL BAND ABAS-STEROVKH CHILLING OUT AFTER ANOTHER HIGH OCTANE SHOW

That was a good set, everyone! (High-five) The audience are having a good time and we've cleared out all our merchandises! Yeah except for that slight misstep when I did the

Drums solo, you guys...! (Sigh) Well, I'm sure the crowd didn't even notice it, Epimeps...! Anyway, heheh! We've got quite a collection of "souvenirs" (underwear) today--even more

Than our show at Peritistimos Civic Hall last week! Yeah, I even got me some see-through speedos from some dudes way at the back... weird! (Snicker) Well, all things considered

We only have two more shows left in the tour before our last big one at The Valley City; a tribute concert for soldiers died fighting The Horde...! (Sigh) Alright, let's hit the showers!

[kicksaddictny]

Adidas Eurocamp Announces Roster of Top Next-Generation Basketball Prospects

Adidas Basketball has revealed the roster of top draft-eligible athletes, seasoned coaches, and special guests for the 17th edition of the premier pre-draft scouting event, adidas Eurocamp. The event will take place from June 1-3 at Ghirada La Città Dello Sport in Treviso, Italy. This renowned talent showcase aims to discover the next generation of star athletes, ages 18-22, who aspire to pursue professional basketball careers.

Led by Coaching Director Bill Bayno and Scouting Director Gianluca Pascucci, the high-profile coaching lineup includes David Vanterpool (Washington Wizards), Jason Terry (Utah Jazz), Dave Joerger (Milwaukee Bucks), Jordan Ott (formerly Los Angeles Lakers), Chris Fleming (Chicago Bulls), and Rico Hines (Philadelphia 76ers). These coaches will train and mentor the elite group of players invited to this year’s camp.

Joining the esteemed group of coaches and mentors are adidas NBA athletes such as Nikola Jović (Miami Heat), Austin Rivers (NBA veteran and current ESPN commentator), and Vasilije Micić (Charlotte Hornets), with more special guests to be announced. Additionally, NBA future-Hall of Famer and adidas signature athlete James Harden (LA Clippers) will make a special appearance to support the Harden Vol. 8 "Eurocamp" PE, which is exclusive to this year’s adidas Eurocamp athletes and participants.

The following teams and draft-eligible standouts are slated to participate in this year’s adidas Eurocamp:

Team Next Gen

Jack Kayil (Germany) – MVP of the U18 Final Four Tournament

Savo Drezgic (Serbia) – ABA League champion 2023

Egor Denim (Russia) – FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021

Nikola Bundalo (USA) – Consensus No. 1 player in Ohio, the No. 7 power forward in his class, and a top-30 overall player in the class of 2025

Michael Ruzic (Croatia) – Hoops Agents Player of the Week

David Mirkovic (Montenegro) – 2023 U18 Euro Championship B All-Tournament Team

Team World

Wei Zhao (China) – FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023

Mohammad Amini (Iran) – France Espoirs Elite 2022-23 and Euroleague Adidas Next Generation

Lucas Giovannetti (Argentina) – FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023

Assane Sankare (Senegal) – U18 Next Generation Team Paris

Julius Halaifonua (New Zealand) – Ambassadors Trophy for Male Junior Player of the Year

Team Eurocamp

Nikola Djurisic (Serbia) – ABA League Top Prospect 2023, Euroleague NGT champion 2022

Mohamed Diawara (France) – FIBA U18 European Championship 2023

Martin Kalu (Germany) – FIBA U16 Challenger 2021

Mouhamed Faye (Senegal) – NIJT All-Tournament Team 2022-2023, Zadar Tournament (ANGT) All-Tournament Team 2022-2023

Ousmane Ndiaye (Senegal) – Early entry candidate for NBA Draft 2024

Bogoljub Markovic (Serbia) – MVP of the ABA U19 final tournament 2024

Reynan Dos Santos (Brazil) – All-Star Five honors at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2022, MVP of the FIBA U18 South American Championship 2022

Ruben Dominguez (Spain) – Silver medal FIBA U16 European Championship 2018, MVP of FIBA U16 European Championship 2019

Michael Caicedo (Spain) – ACB All-Young Players Team 2023

Team USA

Darryn Peterson (USA) – Top 3 HS prospect Class of 2025, Consensus top-5 2025 guard and U16 USAB Gold Medalist

Caleb Holt (USA) – Consensus top-5 2026 guard and U16 USAB Gold Medalist

Moustapha Thiam (USA) – Five-star 2025 center and Central Florida commit

Nate Ament (USA) – Five-star 2025 wing

Joson Sanon (USA) – Four-star 2025 guard and Arizona commit

For more information on Eurocamp and to register, visit adidaseurocamp.com.

[crimechannels]

By • Olalekan Fagbade JUST IN; CP reveals where insurgents terrorising South-East are getting firearms THE Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, has said that illegal arms used by insurgents to terrorize people in the South East geopolitical zone were being brought from Cameroon through Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Addressing reporters in Awka on Monday, the CP also paraded 129 suspects, including eight persons arrested for the vandalisation of the newly constructed Second Niger Bridge, as well as suspected kidnappers and cultists. Adeoye said the arms dealers usually package the weapons with stockfish and bring them to a place near Aba, Abia State for ready buyers. He hinted that weapons are also sold in the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State, adding that from his long experience of service in the state, which commenced in the 1990s, the situation had even worsened recently. He said that within the last three months, the command had recovered 26 firearms and arrested 30 insurgents. He described the Onitsha Main market as one of the sources for the proliferation of weapons, while Awka blacksmiths, who manufacture local guns also contribute to the proliferation of illegal arms in the state. According to him, the Inspector General of Police gave a grace period for people with illegal firearms to return them to the police, stating that within the grace period nobody would be punished or prosecuted for returning such arms. He said: “After this grace period we shall begin search and recovery of such firearms the way that it had not happened in this part of the world and culprits will be prosecuted appropriately.” On the second Niger Bridge, the CP said: “Vandalisation of the Bridge has continued. A month ago, the Federal Ministry of Works alerted us on the activities of vandals on the project, which was built at huge cost. “I visited, observed the damage and gave matching order to smash the syndicate. In collaboration with the ministry and Julius Berger, five suspects were arrested. They specialize in stealing iron grills and drainage covers on the bridge. “Based on their confession, we moved in and arrested three people who buy the irons from them.” The commissioner also spoke on the increasing cases of cultism and cult related killings in Awka. “It is a major cause for concern and people feel unsafe, but we have been reassuring them. We went to work and within a week, 34 cult suspects were arrested and charged to court, and the judiciary remanded all of them in prison custody. “We also tracked one of the most serial killers and arrested him in his hideout in Enugu and he admitted that his gang had killed four in the last six months,” he said.

[hardynwa]

10 things you need to know this Monday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers: 1. President Bola Tinubu has appointed Kingsley Stanley Nkwocha as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Communications in the Presidency. Nkwocha was appointed alongside several others who will work in the Office of the Vice President. 2. Minister of Works, Engineer Dave Umahi, has said the current administration inherited at least N14 trillion worth of 2,604 road projects covering 18,000 kilometers from the Muhammadu Buhari-led government. He stated this at the weekend after his first briefing session with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 3. Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Imo State on patrol along Aba-Owerri Expressway, have rescued five pregnant teenage girls suspected to be victims of child trafficking. They were picked up while being relocated from their hideout in the Naze area of Owerri to Ikenegbu area of the state capital, the spokesperson for the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, revealed in a statement on Sunday. 4. Olubunmi Osadahun, Ondo State Woman Affairs Commissioner, was at the weekend, attacked in the Arigidi Akoko Area of the State during the distribution of palliatives. She was allegedly attacked by some members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the council area following the allegation that the exercise was shrouded in secrecy. 5. The Federal Government on Sunday sent an invitation to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its counterpart in the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for a fresh meeting in order to avert looming indefinite strike occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy. The union had given a 3-week ultimatum to embark on an indefinite strike over fuel subsidy removal. 6. Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged plans by the President Bola Tinubu administration to unleash a regime of propaganda on the country in the days ahead. Atiku, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, yesterday, said the “fake news” about the lifting of the visa ban by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was just a “tip of the iceberg.” 7. The corpse of a Political Science student of the Nasarawa State University, Lafia, Yusuf Mubaraq (27), who was declared missing on Saturday last week, has been found in Kwara State. The late Mubaraq, an indigene of Kwara State, was last seen around 10 pm on Wednesday after he went to a friend in GRA, Ilorin. 8. Weeks after failing to defend her World title after finishing 6th in the final of World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan is back on winning streak. With a 12:33 seconds record, the Nigerian athlete won her third consecutive Diamond League title in the Women’s 100 metres hurdle. 9. Tragedy struck in Okanla community, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State on Sunday as some men bearing arms stormed the palace of Olokonla of Okanla, killing an admission seeker, Ibrahim Qudus, before setting the building ablaze. Eyewitness said the assailants were led by a man identified simply as Naim, who was the only one among the attackers that did not cover his face. 10. A building with over 500 rooms has collapsed in the Ketu area of Lagos State. According to findings, at least two persons are currently battling for their lives at a private hospital after the school-turned-residential building partially collapsed on Saturday. Read the full article

[a-wild-osborne]

Beautiful additions! I encounter such situations all the time at my job (ABA therapy) where I can tell right away who remembers being a kid, and especially who remembers being an autistic kid.

It isn't appropriate for a 5 year old to be out of the house at 8am for kindergarten and then come to the center after school for four hours five days a week and then on top of that to come to the center on saturdays for four hours. It's no wonder that he emulates the authority figures around him and tries to exert control on his peers and the staff using behavioral therapist language -- he has zero control over his life except for choosing what to put on his schedule, and really only that if he makes a balanced schedule between work and play!

Utterly baffling to me that more people don't realize how important it is to recognize the autonomy of a human being even if they're a kid, to provide a level of control over one's own life that is age appropriate and affirming, to give positive feedback that is specific and highly reinforcing even if you don't think it's important. These kids are looking to the adults in their life for cues on how to interact with the world, and even when they're in that stage of development where they're looking to their peers for affirmation instead of wanting it from authority figures, they are still quietly watching for your approval. It wouldn't kill you to oblige.

consider: teenagers aren’t apathetic about everything they’re just used to you shitting all over whatever they show excitement about

[liv-180]

Austin, Texas, is a city known for its great outdoor scene, vibrant culture, rich music, and diverse culinary scene. The variety in Austin is consistent without sacrificing quality of life or luxury.

For couples looking to create unforgettable memories and strengthen their bond, this city offers a plethora of activities that cater to all interests. If you’re seeking engaging and exciting experiences, look no further! Here is our take on five exciting activities that couples can enjoy together, making the most of their time in this beautiful city.

Foodie Adventures:

Austin’s culinary landscape is a melting pot of flavors and cultures, making it a haven for food enthusiasts. With Liv180, couples can embark on foodie adventures, exploring the city’s best eateries, food trucks, and culinary hotspots. From Tex-Mex delicacies to mouthwatering barbecue and trendy vegan cafes, there’s something to tantalize every taste bud. Couples can bond over shared meals, discover new cuisines, and create cherished memories while enjoying the city’s gastronomic delights.

Some of our recommendations include:

· Tex-Mex: Taquero Mucho, Suerte, Grizzelda’s

· Sushi: TenTen, Uchi, Soto, Uroko

· American: Odd Duck, Eberly, Clark’s Oyster Bar

· Mediterranean: Aba, Ezov

Live Music and Entertainment:

Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin boasts an array of music venues where couples can groove to the rhythm of local and international bands. Liv180 curates a comprehensive list of live music events, ensuring couples experience the city’s musical soul. Whether it’s a laid-back jazz bar, a lively dance club, or an open-air concert in a park, these shared experiences will undoubtedly create lasting connections between partners.

Some of our recommendations include:

· Hotel Vegas- Live music and DJs nearly every night of the week; dance parties, patio gatherings are the norm here

· Mohawk- Unique outdoor/indoor multi-level space showcases emerging talent from Austin and beyond

· Continental Club- Opened its door in 1955; small stage and 200-capacity room make any show intimate and electric

For couples who love to bask in nature’s beauty and engage in adrenaline-pumping activities, Austin offers various outdoor adventures. With Liv180, couples can discover hiking trails, explore scenic parks, kayak on the serene waters of Lady Bird Lake, or take a romantic stroll around Zilker Botanical Garden. Engaging in outdoor activities can strengthen teamwork and communication, while also providing an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the city and its surroundings.

Some of our recommendations include:

· Sunset from Mount Bonnell- 785 feet tall and one of the highest points in Austin. Incredible view of Lake Austin and the Colorado River

· Gaze at the Stars- Every Wednesday night you can gaze at the stars from campus with UT’s Department of Astronomy.

· Catch a movie at the drive-in- The Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in shows all your childhood and pop culture favorites, indie films, and cult classics.

Art enthusiasts will find Austin to be a treasure trove of creativity and culture. Couples can explore art galleries, museums, and cultural events with Liv180’s event organization. From contemporary art to local exhibits showcasing Austin’s history, these cultural experiences can ignite meaningful conversations and foster a deeper understanding of each other’s interests and perspectives.

Some of our recommendations include:

· Texas Capitol- Completed in 1888 and is a nationally recognized historical landmark.

· The Harry Ransom Center- Boasts a vast collection of rare books, manuscripts, photos, and works of art, from Hemingway to Kahlo.

· South Congress Ave- Popular “Touristy” Street in Austin for its many cafés, live music venues, and boutique stores.

Interactive Workshops:

Learning something new together can be a fun and rewarding experience for couples. Liv180 hosts interactive workshops on various topics, from cooking classes to art workshops and dance lessons. These activities allow couples to bond over shared interests and present opportunities to collaborate and support each other’s growth and development.

Some of our recommendations include:

· Salsa and Bachata at Halcyon Mueller- Offers free salsa and bachata classes on Wednesdays and Sundays followed by a social

· Inspired Movement- Latin dance studio offering group and private classes in salsa, bachata, and zouk.

Conclusion:

Austin, Texas, is a city that thrives on creativity, diversity, and togetherness. With Liv180 as your guide to discovering the best events in the city, couples can embark on exciting adventures, create lasting memories, and strengthen their relationship bonds. Whether it’s indulging in the city’s delicious cuisine, immersing themselves in the vibrant music scene, exploring the great outdoors, appreciating art and culture, or engaging in interactive workshops, Liv180 ensures that every couple’s journey is filled with love, joy, and unforgettable moments. So, download Liv180 and start exploring Austin’s wonders together today!

Step into a world of shared adventures with LIV180 — the ultimate couple’s experience platform. Uniquely exclusive, LIV180 is your gateway to a thriving community of love and togetherness. From charming dog meetups to heart-pounding workouts and leisurely golf events, we curate moments that stranghten your bond while creating memories that last a lifetime. Join us in shaping your love story, one unforgettable event at a time.

[getbiblical]

Hello! My name is [Name], and I'm a single mom to a wonderful autistic child who receives ABA therapy every other day. I'm also a college student, and I work three days a week. Knowing how to balance my responsibilities can be tricky, but it can be done!

First, I make sure I plan out my schedule in advance. I have a whiteboard in my house that I use to plan out both my school and work duties and my son's therapy sessions, and other activities. Having a visual reminder of where I need to be and when helps me keep track of all my commitments.

Second, I use lists. Make simple lists of tasks that need to be done for each day. This helps me stay focused and organized. Plus, crossing that last item off feels great!

Third, one of the most important pieces of advice I can give is to be flexible. Things may not always go as planned and that's ok. It's important to be willing to adjust your plans as needed.

Finally, try to take some time for yourself when you can. Even if it's just five or ten minutes, allowing yourself a few moments to relax and refocus can be incredibly beneficial.

Balancing being a single mom of an autistic child, being in college and working three days a week is certainly possible. With a little bit of organization and some flexibility, you can find the balance between all the things on your plate. Thank you for watching!

[baker-father-figure]

The Label…

Almost a year ago, my wife and I started to get really concerned with the behaviors that our oldest son was displaying. He was getting in more trouble at his mother's day out program, having to go home several times for hitting/pushing other kids and his teachers. Initially we assumed it was always provoked by something and was just an over the top reaction on his part. The more we saw it happening though, the more it seemed to come out of nowhere the majority of the time. His speech skills were falling behind his classmates too. Even though he had a good vocabulary, he was incoherent a lot of the time becasue of how fast he was speaking and it sounded like gibberish. On top of those issues, he never participated in writing/coloring activities so he had no pre-writing skills. We would get pictures from his teachers on the GroupMe that they used to communicate with the parents and he would be in the backgroud of the pictures, laying down on the carpet or playing with toys by himself when everyone else was doing table activites. All of these things had us wondering what was going on with him. I had suggested that he might be on the Autism spectrum when some of these things started to become problems, but never really pushed it because of how smart he was. We finally started to realize that this could be a possibility, so we started the process of getting him evaluated.

We talked with our pediatrician to see what her thoughts on everything were and she gave us some steps to go through to eliminate other things as possible issues first. Step one wastion through our school districttion process through our school district. They l taking him to a pediatric ENT to get his hearing checked and everything came back normal there. After that, we had a consult with the pediatrician and got a referral for an appointment with a pediatric neurologist. That doctor's assessment resulted in a diagnosis of being on the high-functioning end of the Autism spectrum. At the same time, we were going through the evaluation process with our school district. They did two speech evaluations and also came to the same Autism diagnosis as the doctor. This started a whole new process of what behavioral treatment options we wanted to pursue to help him and us learn how to deal with the problematic behaviors.

Initially, we thought that the best route would be to get him enrolled in the school district's Early Childhood Special Education program. This process was able to happen relatively quickly and he started going to to ECSE five days a week for three hours in the afternoons. We also began the process of trying to get him started on Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy. This one was much more drawn out because we had to find a program we liked, have them do an initial evaluation, and then get their reccommended treatment plan approved by insurance. We fought this battle for almost four months until we were finally able to start him in ABA therapy for a half day, five days a week. During that four months, he attended the ECSE program and seemed to be doing pretty well. They had began trialing him in the general education pre-kindergarten class and ended up moving him in ther permanently. They almost weren't seeing any of the problem behaviors at school anymore, but we still saw them at home. We learned that in the GenEd PK4 class, he was there for recess and elective blocks (all the fun stuff that he liked) and none of his non-preferred academic tasks. n't ebeing pressed into doiThis is when a lightbulb went off for us. They were reccommending full-day PK4 moving forward, where he would be in a class of 20+ kids with one teacher and one aide. When he eventually was put into the situation where he might act out, they would most definitely not be equipped to handle it. After only a week of ABA, we felt that they had a better picture of our son and a better plan to address his behaviors so we decided to make the move to full time ABA therapy.

Aside - I do feel like I need to say that the school district did the best they could with our son given the circumstances. I'm a public school teacher and have faith in the people that work within the system. ABA therapy is a specialized field and they just have more specific training that better equips them to address the kind of issues that our son has.

So now the issue we're presented with is the insurance battle. We spent a couple of weeks in limbo waiting for the full time ABA to be approved. Come to find out, insurance didn’t approve the increase for a myriad of reasons that culminated in saying he was making enough progress with his current time at the center. Insurance sucks. It’s so crazy that someone in an office somewhere gets to make that decision without even knowing my son. The broken health care system is a whole nother blog post in itself though. We’re appealing the denial and we’ll see how long that takes, but I’m not getting my hopes up.

All this to say - parenting is hard. No matter what. For me as a father though, a child with special needs is that much harder to parent just because I'm in unfamiliar territory. I've had my fair share of students that were part of the SPED program, but they come with a list of academic and behavioral accommodations so I know how to best teach them. It's almost liek anke an instruction manueal that's been created through trial and error up to this point. I"m'm in the rough draft stages of my son's instruction manual and it is rough. We're still learning about what makes him tick - the reason for his behaviors. Something that I've learned through this too is that one behavior can be a result of various stimuli, which explains why sometimes strategies work for one thing but not another time. It is struly exhausting and frustrating. I love this kid so much though. He is so intelligent, kind, and loving. He's fun, happy, and sillyfunny. It breaks my heart that life is going to be more difficult for him because of this diagnosis and that it will put a label on him that comes with all kinds of negative connotations and stereotypes, but I know that we're doing the right thing by getting him help this early. It's going to set him up for success in the future, even though it's hard right now and likely will be for a long time. I just hope that one day he can look back and see the reason for all thisthat, knowing that this has all been done out of love.

I'm so thankful to have my amazingly wonderful wife to walk through this with because this thing is not for the faint of heart and we do a good job of checking each other when one of us is at our breaking point. We're still learning new thingshow to navigate this whole thing and balance it with being good parents toraising our other two boys at the same timeas well. Again, not for the faint of heart and definitely not something to undertake alone. The occasional extra trip to the pantry late at night for a snack or the garage fridge for a fine pilsner after a particularly stressful day might make this line sting a little more eventually, but it's not a dad bod...it's a father figure.

[licenselookup]

How Much Does a New Hampshire Attorney License Cost

Once you live in New Hampshire state and want to start a career as an attorney your first step must be obtaining a New Hampshire attorney license. The process is simple. It is just a matter of several simple stages to be fulfilled.

Thus this guide will walk you through those stages. After fulfilling all the steps successfully you can acquire your New Hampshire attorney license and become a demanded lawyer in the state.

Steps for Becoming a New Hampshire Attorney

Becoming a lawyer requires much effort and time. The step-by-step guidance may familiarize the process.

This is the starting point of the lawyer career. Here it is a must to complete a minimum of three years of college credits or obtain a bachelor's degree. You must do it before attending law school for the NH bar exam.

In undergraduate academies, there is no fixed coursework. You can take courses that can best help you to develop your skills in writing and oral communication, reading comprehension, logical reasoning, critical thinking, and so on. 

Among those courses are history, English, philosophy, economics, political science, and many others. They all develop the above-mentioned skills.

Taking an LSAT comes next, after getting a bachelor's degree. It is for evaluating verbal reasoning and reading skills. The application process is very simple. You can send both the application and the payment of $190 online at the LSAT website. 

Here you are to create a private account which will be valid for five years. You may prepare for the test before taking it. On this website, there are available resources that may help you prepare. 

The test contains about 100 multiple-choice questions. For passing the test successfully you are to get at least a 120 score. You will be informed about your test results about three weeks after taking it.

As a future lawyer, your next step must be applying to an academy of your choice. Those academies are ABA-approved. Thus, it is mandatory to be a graduate of such an academy in the USA.

In NH there is only one ABA-approved school (University of New Hampshire School of Law). When applying you will have an online form. The coming fee is $195 here. At this school, you will obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) degree which is mandatory before taking the state's bar exam.

During law academy years you can take part in a kind of internship, externship, or other practical experiences. They are to give you a chance to work in a specialized area of law.

After graduating from school it comes to the final and most important stage. You are to take the bar exam. Whether you are a graduate of an ABBA-approved academy or not you are to meet the basic requirements for becoming an NH lawyer. To explain, you must be legally trained in the common law. You may apply for the exam about six months before it is scheduled to be.

Generally, the examination lasts two days. If you fail the exam you can retake it a maximum of four times. In case of passing it, you will be mailed about it. You will also be notified of the time and place of the bar admission ceremony.

Once you get through all the steps successfully you can get your New Hampshire attorney license and start your current career as an attorney in NH.

As a rule, you are to complete 12 hours of CLE (Continuing Legal Education) for maintaining your existing license.

Opportunities For a Licensed Attorney

NH Bar Association provides you with multiple opportunities as a lawyer having a New Hampshire attorney license. You can either start your practice or join an already-established firm.

You may also have a chance to specialize in a particular area of legal practice. This additional certification requires you to take an exam too.

In the end, lawyers in NH earn an average of $130,000 yearly.

[bubmyg]

i do not want to meet with my career advisor. full stop.

[thestoryofustaylorsversion]

I thought my graduate program was difficult but now doing my mentorship at the same time I HAD NO IDEA LIFE COULD BE SO COMPLICATED 😭

[samaniala]

SINGLE PARENT AU

Part 2 [ the reunion]

Fang had always known that boboiboy would get married atleast someday in his life. But maybe he was not ready to accept the news so suddenly. Afterall it could have been some silly rumour spread by his fan girls.

Turns out it was not a rumour...

Fang came to know this from BBB father, who he ran into on the way to the old town. Amato hadn't recognised him at first then when he did, he dragged him along to his house to meet his son saying it was nice seeing him after so many years ( it had been five years, not that fang was counting). Amato had always seen fang as his own son ever since he found out he was the son of the past governer and also his colleague's nephew. Nonetheless fang agreed to follow along.

On the way, Amato told him almost everything he wanted to know about. Gopal had recently opened his own restaurant after finishing culinary school. Yaya and Ying had become a docter, a pediatrician to be exact. And lastly that boboiboy was indeed married...

The marriage was held three months ago, Amato had said. Almost everyone was invited including some of the TAPOPs members such as Admiral Tarung and even commander kokoci. He said that Gopal and this other friends had tried to contact him but they couldn't reach him at all. ( Fang knew they couldn't reach him,he made sure of it himself by deleting their numbers and changing his phone).

They finally reached home and to say that it was awkward was an understatement. Ochobot was perhaps the only one who was genuinely happy to see fang. BBB was surprised to see fang again after so many years and fang didn't know how to describe his feelings about seeing how much boboiboy had changed in the years. He wasn't gremlin sized anymore,( he was almost taller than fang himself now, almost), he had also got an undercut and seemed to be hitting the gym regularly or something ( BBB glow up).

Meanwhile Ochobot now had invited the whole friend group over to see him and very soon the atmosphere grew pretty chaotic. Gopal was the first one who arrived and he immediately punched him for not answering his calls, this was followed by Ying nagging him about ignoring them and Yaya who scolded him for not bothering to visit them during all these years. This all ended Ochobot pulled them all along with boboiboy in a group hug. Then did fang notice boboiboy's wife who had entered the room during all this Chaos.

She seemed soft-spoken and introverted. She wore a cooler palette of clothes compared to warmer colours that BBB liked to wear all the time. She seemed calm and was pretty compared to earth standards.she greeted and welcomed him quite politely. Fang didn't know what to feel about her. But he could conclude one thing that...

Boboiboy and her looked good together ( for some reason, Fang's heart ached at this)

Fang didn't stay long after dinner and left after saying goodbye.

Fang felt pathetic, because he realised that perhaps his feelings for the elemental Hero had not gone yet, the same person who is now married. That night fang might or might not have cried himself to sleep.

Three weeks later came news that boboiboy was going to be a father soon. It was gopal who informed him this ( fang was forced to give all of them his recent new phone number). Fang later called BBB and congratulated him. Their call didn't last long.

Fang caught up with everything in the next two months that he stayed in. Mechamato was in Hiatus now and had decided to spend more time with his new family for the time he lost earlier. He was now running the kokotiam cafè( now that tok aba was no longer...)

Boboiboy helped him sometimes by taking care of it on the weekends or on holidays but not all the times since BBB had been promoted as a lieutenant. Fang was also promoted as a captain just recently. Turns out boboiboy was in a vacation.

Fang soon left earth for a new Mission. For some reason he was glad that he was going to be away for so long.

It was after this mission when he returned that he recieved the new about boboiboy' new family member and the loss of his wife. It was almost after an entire year.

His wife( fang didn't bother remembering her name last time.) Had passed away during childbirth. This had happened a month ago. But still fang decided to go see boboiboy and give his condolences. He might have not known her well but he knew what she meant to BBB and fang somehow understood how it felt to lose a loved one.

That was when he saw Amaya, boboiboy daughter ( Amato had named her) she had her father's eyes, Hazel. But her hair had a darker shade than BBB, probably got that from her mother. But still she had a few steaks of white in her hair that was visible. Fang had a feeling that she would be anything but calm when she grows up but he kept that to himself.

That was perhaps the last time he saw boboiboy face to face in person. After that he was given a solo disguise mission in a faraway planet. He could have turned it down, but he felt that his unrequited feelings might cause a problem for their friendship that had been restored recently, so he decided to do what he thought best, run away from his feelings.

He still had to stay in contact with BBB since boboiboy had his number now but boboiboy didn't call as often as he used to before. The only person he used to contact regularly was his brother( sometimes his brother's fiance as well).

Fang honestly never regretted any of the missions that he took, since it was due to this that he was able to meet one of his most precious person Bihir.

TBC.