Assent vs Consent

Assent

A learner’s active, voluntary agreement to participate in therapy

Consent

The legal and ethical process where a legally authorized adult voluntarily agrees to services after being fully informed of the procedures, risks, and benefits

Assent Withdrawal

Happens when a person indicates they don’t want to participate, don’t like, or are uncomfortable with an activity (may include words, body language, or other behaviors).

Support Assent Withdrawal

delay the task or activity, provide support to complete the task, and end the task or activity

Delay the Task or Activity

End the task for now and come back to it later. Ensure you have a powerful reinforcer

Provide Support to Complete the Task

Add more prompts or support to complete the task or reduce the overall expectation

End the Task or Activity

Remove the task or activity for the remainder of the session, then talk to your supervisor! They can help you set up your client for success in future sessions

Lesson Prep

Activity Schedule, Mix It Up, Split It Up

Activity Schedule

During the next session, do table work first and plan to spend the last hour doing quieter activities like books and puzzles

Mix It Up

Think about ways you can use Lilly’s love of markers to make her programs fun. What else can you draw to keep her engaged

Split It Up

Lilly was interested in the activities for short periods of time, structure her session to spread out the DTT trials, rather than saving them for the end