Is there a reason for seemingly purposeless behavior?
HANDLE says Yes
Speaker: Elizabeth Frishkoff
Many children and adults on the autism spectrum have repetitive , specific behaviours including hand-flapping, rocking back and forth, jumping, and switching the lights on and off. These behaviours have often been termed “slimming” (suggesting that their purpose is to self-stimulate), considered disruptive and disturbing, and responded to as such. HANDLE recognizes that these behaviours are a form of non-verbal communication and view these behaviours from a perspective that involves acceptance, compassion and curiosity, and assumes that each of these behaviours actually has a reason or purpose that can open the door to learning a lot about the swimming person’s sensory processing and neurodevelopment.
Elizabeth Frishkoff, MSW is a Certified HANDLE Instructor. Her interest in HANDLE arose out of a desire to understand her own academic challenges that her teachers struggled to meet. She has dedicated the last 15 years to increasing compassion and understanding on how to meet the educational needs of children today. She is a Certified HANDLE Practitioner and Instructor. Her private practice is based in Great Barrington, MA and she consults throughout New England.