When Kyle was a preschooler, I was fortunate to be able to meet weekly with students and staff at the University of California, San Diego Autism Research Program. Each session, we would sit together and discuss problems I was having with Kyle, and possible approaches to resolving them.
The Problem
One of the biggest challenges I faced at that time was that I was unable to sit with the congregation at my church, because Kyle had too many tantrums and loud outbursts. Every Sunday, I stood out in the lobby and missed the majority of the meeting.
A team of students, under the direction of Dr. Laura Schreibman, came up with a plan, which I now call the “magic train book.” The intent was to use Kyle’s favorite things to motivate him to sit quietly. To be honest, I didn’t think it was possible.
Finding a Motivator
Kyle had a strange fascination with trademarks and symbols. For example, he loved the “Disney Channel” trademark, HBO Cinema, Nickelodeon, and other production company trademarks. He even fixated on things as random as furniture warehouse logos and the “Warning” notice that appears at the beginning of movies. These kinds of peculiar obsessions, which vary with each child, are a common symptom of autism.
How could we make such bizarre interests work to motivate my son? The idea was presented that we would create a book. We purchased a picture book that was age-appropriate and had a topic that would interest Kyle, which turned out to be a book about trains. Then, using a computer, we printed every trademark Kyle loved (and more), cut them out, and taped them throughout the book, without obscuring the pictures or text. We wanted the book to motivate him, but also promote reading at his developmental level. This is why we used a regular children’s book, and didn’t simply make a binder full of trademarks.
Kyle’s Book
Trademarks Taped Inside
Using the Magic Train Book:
I was given two instructions with the book, when it was finished:
1. Kyle was only allowed to have it during our congregational meeting at church. He was NEVER to see it at any other time.
2. When he made an outburst, I was to give him a single warning, “If you’re noisy, Mom takes the book away.” After that ONE warning, if Kyle was noisy I was to immediately retrieve the book and he was not allowed to see it again until the following Sunday.
Week One
I remember the first Sunday when I went to church armed with the magic train book. We sat on our bench as a family, and as the service began, I slipped the book out of my bag and handed it to Kyle. He was mesmerized. For quite some time, his interest alone kept him quiet, but eventually he made a loud disruption. I gave the warning. He continued to make noise, so I took the book away. This caused a loud tantrum, so I relocated Kyle to the lobby.
Week Two
The next Sunday, as church began I gave Kyle the book. He seemed surprised, as though he had forgotten about it and was delighted it still existed. He happily turned the pages. Yet, again, he eventually made a loud noise and I gave the warning: “If you’re noisy, Mom takes the book away.” He paused for a moment, but then continued to make noise. The book was taken away, and I led Kyle outside to have a tantrum in the halls.
Week Three
At this point, I was wondering whether the book was more of a nuisance than a help. But again, I gave it to Kyle at the beginning of the church service. He displayed his delight at receiving it, staring intently at the pages. But soon he made a loud noise. I gave the warning: “If you’re noisy, Mom takes the book away.”
Now, something clicked. A pattern had formed in Kyle’s mind. He didn’t want the book taken away, and having a tantrum wouldn’t bring it back. So he was quiet. Kyle sat silently reading the book the entire meeting. A MIRACLE HAD OCCURRED!
A Miracle
From that day forward, I was able to attend church with my family, without roaming the halls. Kyle actually looked forward to the meetings, where he could sit and fixate on his favorite trademarks and symbols. He wasn’t allowed the book at any other time, so church attendance became something he looked forward to.
Today, Kyle is thirteen, and his “magic train book” sits, ragged and torn, on the children’s bookshelf. He doesn’t need it anymore; he now sits quietly with our family every Sunday without disruptions. But I don’t have the heart to throw the book away.
Thank you to Dr. Schreibman and the Autism Research Students! I haven’t forgotten your dedicated service!
Kristyn Crow