Sean Senechal
Encyclopedia
Sean C. Senechal is a college instructor and an animal language educator (a new field), specializing in studying and developing domesticated animal communication. Ms Senechal uses PBS (Positive Behavior Support) in ABA Applied Behavior Analysis
, and provides ABA Behavioral Therapy to humans (children with autism and speech delay
s), as well extends this to benefit domestic animals (dogs, horses, and cats).
Sean Senechal’s major contribution has been to approach companion animals as language learners, capable of learning additional methods of expressive communication. Her focus is on exploring studying and teaching these animals productive-expressive language, but she includes expanded receptive language skill development. She applies techniques similar to applied behavior analysis
Functional Communication Training used with children to companion animals- dogs, horses, and cats. While many studies have focused on non-human primate language development using lexigrams and sign language, Senechal focuses on the promoting language development in companion animals.
She attended an undergraduate programs in Sociology with special interests in physics and math, UC Berkeley and studied animal physiology and cognition (attention) in the graduate program at UC Davis. She attended California State Universities in San Francisco in the MA program on Biology (behavior and physiology), then continued with a teaching credential in math/science, and ABA Applied Behavior Analysis
PBS (Positive Behavioral Support) Certification Courses at CSUMB Monterey, California
. She teaches college courses in Human Biology and Behavior, The Emotional and Communicative Lives of Dogs, and Canine Wellness Through AnimalSigning in various departments at California State University, Monterey Bay
,.
She founded the AnimalSign Center, a language research center and school for (non-primate) animals. She created the AnimalSign Language used to research and teach animals a new, structured, gestural language (inspired by the sophisticated language ASL).
At the center she studies and teaches methods of enhancing and developing Animal communication
, especially productive-expressive forms. She developed a method similar to what applied behavioral analysis (ABA) calls ‘’’Functional Communication Training’’’ (FCT). FCT is used with children with special needs, especially with speech delays to help them develop language skills. Ms Senechal uses her approach, called ‘’’AnimalSign Language’’' similar to FCT but with domesticated animals. She’s used this with dogs (since 2004) and horses (since 2000) with encouraging results and benefits to the animals and people. An ABA Behavioral Therapist she practices the ABA FCT and other techniques on special needs children as well.
AnimalSign Language is the umbrella method for teaching communication (productive and receptive) through gestures, like simplified ASL
, pictures Picture Exchange Communication System, PECS, tapping, and vocalization.
She holds AnimalSign Language education classes, workshops, seminars (for human and animal students) at the AnimalSign Center and California State University Monterey Bay Extension, Life Long Learning Program in California.
Pilot work was promising and summarized in CANIS FAMILIARIS in 2008-9(a Canadian canine magazine) at conventions such as the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers. and her book AnimalSign To You and Dog's Can Sign, Too. in 2009 through Random House.
Continued research and practice is underway on this approach of teaching a gestural (pictural/vocal) language to animals-dogs, horse, and cats. Dogs formally studied are German shepherds, Border collies, and poodles, and Golden Retreivers.
Ms Senechal's book was reviewed and her efforts were described for the blind dogs and deaf dogs owners' communities at # redirect http://www.deafdogsforever.weebly.com
Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis is a science that involves using modern behavioral learning theory to modify behaviors. Behavior analysts reject the use of hypothetical constructs and focus on the observable relationship of behavior to the environment...
, and provides ABA Behavioral Therapy to humans (children with autism and speech delay
Speech delay
Speech delay, also known as alalia, refers to a delay in the development or use of the mechanisms that produce speech. Speech, as distinct from language, refers to the actual process of making sounds, using such organs and structures as the lungs, vocal cords, mouth, tongue, teeth, etc...
s), as well extends this to benefit domestic animals (dogs, horses, and cats).
Sean Senechal’s major contribution has been to approach companion animals as language learners, capable of learning additional methods of expressive communication. Her focus is on exploring studying and teaching these animals productive-expressive language, but she includes expanded receptive language skill development. She applies techniques similar to applied behavior analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis is a science that involves using modern behavioral learning theory to modify behaviors. Behavior analysts reject the use of hypothetical constructs and focus on the observable relationship of behavior to the environment...
Functional Communication Training used with children to companion animals- dogs, horses, and cats. While many studies have focused on non-human primate language development using lexigrams and sign language, Senechal focuses on the promoting language development in companion animals.
She attended an undergraduate programs in Sociology with special interests in physics and math, UC Berkeley and studied animal physiology and cognition (attention) in the graduate program at UC Davis. She attended California State Universities in San Francisco in the MA program on Biology (behavior and physiology), then continued with a teaching credential in math/science, and ABA Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis is a science that involves using modern behavioral learning theory to modify behaviors. Behavior analysts reject the use of hypothetical constructs and focus on the observable relationship of behavior to the environment...
PBS (Positive Behavioral Support) Certification Courses at CSUMB Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
. She teaches college courses in Human Biology and Behavior, The Emotional and Communicative Lives of Dogs, and Canine Wellness Through AnimalSigning in various departments at California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Monterey Bay is a small public university in the California State University system on the site of the former U.S. Army base Fort Ord, on the Central Coast of California. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.CSUMB was founded in 1994 with...
,.
She founded the AnimalSign Center, a language research center and school for (non-primate) animals. She created the AnimalSign Language used to research and teach animals a new, structured, gestural language (inspired by the sophisticated language ASL).
At the center she studies and teaches methods of enhancing and developing Animal communication
Animal communication
Animal communication is any behavior on the part of one animal that has an effect on the current or future behaviour of another animal. The study of animal communication, is sometimes called Zoosemiotics has played an important part in the...
, especially productive-expressive forms. She developed a method similar to what applied behavioral analysis (ABA) calls ‘’’Functional Communication Training’’’ (FCT). FCT is used with children with special needs, especially with speech delays to help them develop language skills. Ms Senechal uses her approach, called ‘’’AnimalSign Language’’' similar to FCT but with domesticated animals. She’s used this with dogs (since 2004) and horses (since 2000) with encouraging results and benefits to the animals and people. An ABA Behavioral Therapist she practices the ABA FCT and other techniques on special needs children as well.
AnimalSign Language is the umbrella method for teaching communication (productive and receptive) through gestures, like simplified ASL
ASL
ASL is a common initialism for American Sign Language, and may also refer to:*Above sea level, altitude measurement*Adobe Source Libraries, a set of open source software libraries by Adobe...
, pictures Picture Exchange Communication System, PECS, tapping, and vocalization.
She holds AnimalSign Language education classes, workshops, seminars (for human and animal students) at the AnimalSign Center and California State University Monterey Bay Extension, Life Long Learning Program in California.
Pilot work was promising and summarized in CANIS FAMILIARIS in 2008-9(a Canadian canine magazine) at conventions such as the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers. and her book AnimalSign To You and Dog's Can Sign, Too. in 2009 through Random House.
Continued research and practice is underway on this approach of teaching a gestural (pictural/vocal) language to animals-dogs, horse, and cats. Dogs formally studied are German shepherds, Border collies, and poodles, and Golden Retreivers.
Ms Senechal's book was reviewed and her efforts were described for the blind dogs and deaf dogs owners' communities at # redirect http://www.deafdogsforever.weebly.com