Behavioral Interventions and Solutions
I am here to tell you that Boom Cards™, are changing the way I look helping students access learning materials. As a BCBA in a public-school setting, I typically work hand in hand with the special educators on my team. Together we make plans for how to best adapt learning materials for students, modify teaching programs to match IEP objectives,… Read More
Shaping When you shape a behavior you provide reinforcement for behaviors that are incrementally closer to the targeted behavior. In other words, you reinforce the “baby steps” when teaching a new skill or behavior. If you decided you wanted to run a 5K, but have never run a day in your life (and in fact, you seriously regret signing up.)… Read More
Do your children typically display “better behavior” on days with structured activities? For many, free time is not productive. Young children do not have the ability to be self-directed. Unstructured time leads to statements of boredom, extra snack requests, and may even result in challenging behavior. By now, many of us have been home, engaging in social isolation, for approximately… Read More
It has been about a week since our lives drastically changed. Without much notice, many of you found yourself thrust into working from home, while simultaneously homeschooling your children. Like others, I assume you feel pulled in two directions. Families everywhere are in a similar position, trying to conduct Zoom meetings and meet deadlines while also trying to keep their… Read More
Does your child or student benefit from repetition, or are they typically more successful when work activities look “fun”? Interactive books are just the thing you need! An interactive book is a great way to teach and practice basic skills. These books feature 16 pre-academic and fine-motor tasks. Use interactive books to keep your children or students actively engaged in… Read More
Arguing with your child about every little thing can be exhausting, am I right? Enter CONTROLLED CHOICE-MAKING. Giving your child the power to make choices is an important strategy for any parent. It allows children to have some control over their own lives. Which in turn can help you avoid those dreaded power struggles. With controlled choices, children are given… Read More
Teachers,
This is inevitably going to be one of the most challenging years of your career. Whether you have been in education for 20 years or are fresh out of college, all of us feel like first-year teachers. For some, that means integrating technology in ways we never thought possible, and for others, it means finding ways to engage students from behind a mask and 6+ feet away. As a BCBA in a public school system, I not only hear those same challenges but am living them myself. I see the hard work and dedication, know the feelings of confusion, chaos, and am working alongside you to try to make each day a little bit easier.
Last week I decided I wanted to create a few different posters, cue cards, and visuals for some of my students. I tried to think of things that could be used among many different grade levels and student populations; sets that could be used as a stand-alone resource, or combined with others based on a student's needs. I ended up creating 7 different resources from seated movement break cards to distance greeting ideas and everything in between. (I'll post a link in the comments if you'd like to check them out.)
Don't get discouraged as you adapt to the seemingly endless phases and changes to your educational plan this year. Remember that we are all in this together and reach out if you need anything!
💜 Dana
Have you tried Boom Cards™ yet? Boom Cards are digital, interactive task cards hosted on the Boom Learning website, and let me tell you, they are an absolute game-changer.
Boom Cards are changing the way I create therapy materials and programming for kids. As long as you have an internet-enabled device, students can access the Boom Learning platform.
The best part is, you can assign decks to students and monitor their progress while they work.
Plus, digital task cards eliminate the need to share (or prep individual) materials for each student. Less prep, and more individualization, how can you go wrong?
Check out the graphic below to learn more and visit the link in the comments to check out the decks that I've made so far!
For all my Daniel Tiger 🐯 fans out there...
On August 17th, PBS will be featuring a music-filled episode that addresses some of the challenges children and their families are currently facing.
DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD: Won’t You Sing Along with Me? will focus on the feelings associated with missing family and friends, canceled events, and how to keep yourself and others healthy.
Check out the link to read more about this episode, in addition to links to resources specially designed for parents and educators regardless of your district's return to school plan for next year.
Fun Fact: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood is an animated spin-off of the beloved show, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. Familiar characters and settings appear throughout the show, including his signature red cardigan. Each episode has a social-emotional theme, teaches associated feelings, and includes a "strategy song."
If you have a preschooler at home, don't miss this season premier.
www.pbs.org/about/blogs/news/new-daniel-tigers-neighborhood-special-created-in-response-to-covid-...
Since travel options are somewhat limited this summer, my guess is that even a short car ride feels like a luxury vacation.
If your child is a picky eater, going anywhere requires a little extra planning. Check out these five great tips, designed to help you be a little more systematic when deciding what food to pack for your next road trip!
5 Road Trip Ideas for Kids With Autism and Picky Eating — Autism Feeding Specialist
www.autismfeedingspecialist.com
Pack it up and hit the road for a summer trip with confidence! Use these 5 tips for planning a road trip with your ASD picky eater.Have you tried the "trade a toy" method for teaching your child(ren) how to share?
Recently, my brother sent me a picture of his daughter and son playing together. It appeared to be a sweet exchange between a toddler and her baby brother - her handing him a stuffed animal toy. My brother then prompted me to play the "live" photo and watch the actual exchange - her grabbing a stuffed animal toy right as he reached for it. I responded by saying, "Looks like it might be time to teach her the "trade a toy" method."
The "trade a toy" method is a great way to introduce the concept of sharing, while also ensuring that everyone still has a toy to play with. Simply, prompt your child to find an unused toy, and teach them how to make a trade for the toy they want.
This strategy will look different depending on the ages of your children, and often as they get older, you may find that assistance is needed when negotiating a toy trade. However, in the case of my niece and her baby brother (or younger children in general) any unused toy is often suitable for the exchange.
Check out the graphic below to learn more about how to use this strategy when teaching children to share.
