It is exciting and nerve-wracking enough to find out you’re expecting a child. Add in the additional pressure of balancing attention with older siblings, or even older siblings with special needs, and you’re on a roller coaster of emotion (probably every day). I was recently asked to help a family prepare their child diagnosed with…
I can’t promise that there won’t be days where you feel like ripping out your hair. Between doctor’s appointments, therapies, and school meetings, it’s no easy task being the best advocate for your child. However, here are some tips to stay organized with documentation and appointments to help you be your child’s number 1 fan.…
It would be great if we never had to worry about inappropriate, maladaptive, and/or challenging behavior. But then I’d be out of a job. And I really like what I do. However, I do have some secrets to share to decrease the likelihood of your child engaging in unwanted behavior, even if you’re not entirely…
One of the most common questions that I’m asked throughout service delivery with a family is “WHY is my child acting like this?” And, actually, the answer isn’t always as convouted as it seems. Remember the other post about the ABCs of behavior? Well, get ready, because it’s about to come full circle. Everything that…
As with many other variables in life, behavior can either increase/continue to occur or decrease/cease to occur. Determining if a behavior will increase or decrease is based on the “consequence” part of the ABCs of behavior (see related post). A reinforcing consequence will increase the likelihood of the behavior occurring in the future. A punishing…
Leisure skills are probably the second most important skills to target in developing children, behind social skills. Think of it this way: when you have nothing to do, what do you do? For kids who don’t have preferences or a leisure repertoire, the answer is usually something that’s getting them into trouble. A kid with…
When I started my first position working with individuals with developmental disabilities, I didn’t know what ABA stood for. I didn’t want to move back to New York after completing my undergraduate degree and took the first job that was offered to me. I thought I’d work at the New England Center for Children for…
