If you've received ABA therapy services before, then you have probably heard of a behavior plan. Or if you are new to ABA, then your child will soon have their very own. Why do behavior plans matter anyway? Read on to find out exactly what you should know and what to do once you have one.
The official name of this document is a Behavior Intervention Plan, also referred to as a BIP or treatment plan. After the assessment and observation portion (called the Functional Behavior Assessment), a Behavior Analyst will write a custom BIP to help children replace challenging or socially inappropriate behaviors with adaptive ones. This treatment plan will be unique and individual to your child.
Writing a behavior plan is a lengthy and involved process, typically ranging from 25 - 40 pages long. The lead behavior therapist will take the data from the assessment and use it to create goals specifically for your child. This is where their experience and education pay off, as the information written in the plan will be implemented with your child. It is key to choose a company and behavior therapist that will take the time to do things properly and keep your needs in mind.
The standard components of a behavior plan include your child's demographics, medical history, and basic information. The therapist will recommend a number of hours for aba therapy dependent on your child's needs, typically 20 - 30, and state their reasoning for their recommendation. Further down there will be a write up of the challenging behaviors, including their function or cause and the data taken from the assessment. Also written here will be skills your child will work on developing.
Next will include the strategies to decrease the socially inappropriate behaviors and steps for the skills being worked on. This is the goal portion of the treatment plan, and the things written here will be implemented with your child during services.is also the collected data in sheets or graphs to monitor success. If applicable to your child, a safety plan may also be included.
Once the behavior plan is completed, it will be submitted to your insurance company for approval. This can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks, as adjustments may need to be made to meet their particular requirements. Once they give the green light, the ABA therapy is approved to begin.
Before starting services, your therapist should take time to thoroughly go over the treatment plan with you and answer any questions or concerns you may have. This meeting is critical to ensure providers and family are both on the same page.
Behavior intervention plans don't stop here, they are continually evolving. As the therapist and assistants administer services to your child, they will take data on your child's skills and behaviors. This data is used to keep track of progress and update the plan, making adjustments as needed. Collecting and analyzing data is critical to ensure the treatment effectively addresses target skills and behaviors. When changes are made to the treatment plan, this is called protocol modification. Please note that the ONLY person authorized to make changes and edit the plan, is the lead therapist working with your child.will learn about these updates and how to implement them at home during parent training meetings. Parent training meetings are also a place to ask any questions, bring up concerns, make recommendations, and talk about how your child is doing overall.
Every 6 months, an updated behavior plan will be resubmitted to your insurance company for reauthorization, which is a request for services to continue.
Because your child's behavior plan is considered a medical document, we follow HIPPA compliance and privacy laws. That means the only people with access to your plan are those who directly work with your child, and your insurance provider. You have full access to the behavior plan and can request an updated copy for any reason, at any time. The other people who will view your child's treatment plan is the lead behavior therapist on the case, and the registered assistants working with your child. Sometimes, other people will want access to the behavior plan such as a teacher, principal, relative etc. As a company, we will not grant access without explicit written consent. You, however, may give your copy of the plan to whomever you see fit!
To simplify, the behavior treatment plan is just a document that contains relevant information about your child and how they are progressing with aba therapy services. The lead analyst reviews and updates it as necessary, while the assistants follow the changes made during sessions with your kiddo.
If you have any questions about behavior intervention plans, or aba therapy in general please reach out! We are here to support your family in any way we can.
For more information about the basics of ABA, check out other blog posts.
Many young kids have sensory challenges that they deal with. It’s a normal part of adjusting to the environment in which they live. I remember growing up, I didn't like rooms with large groups of people. This was partly because I had hearing loss and couldn't pinpoint where sounds were coming from. In noisy rooms, it sounded like a big, jumbled mess! As I got older, I learned to better adjust.
Sights, sounds, tastes, and movement are all part of our daily living environment. However, in our kiddos diagnosed with Autism, sensory challenges can be more extreme. That's why we decided to focus this week's Training Tip Tuesday on sensory struggles!
Although these sensory challenges are difficult, when we learn and begin to understand them, we will have the right tools to effectively handle when challenges come up. After all, knowledge is power!
For starters, what do sensory challenges even look like?
According to Autism Speaks (linked below) "Many people with autism show certain behaviors when they are experiencing a sensory issue."
These can include the following:
- Increased movement, such as jumping, spinning or crashing into things
- Increased stimming, such as hand flapping, making repetitive noises or rocking back and forth
- Talking faster and louder, or not talking at all
- Covering ears or eyes
- Difficulty recognizing internal sensations like hunger, pain or the need to use the bathroom
- Refusing or insisting on certain foods or clothing items
- Frequent chewing on non-food items
- Frequent touching of others or playing rough
- Difficulty communicating or responding as the brain shifts resources to deal with sensory input aka shutting down
- Escalating, overwhelming emotions or need to escape a situation aka meltdown
So, what can you as the parent do to help?
Starting by shifting your perspective from negative statements to positive statements is the best way to address the challenges you are facing. For example, ask 'how can I help?' instead of 'what is wrong with my child?' Sensory struggles are primarily environmentally based. To support our child, it is necessary that we look at the environment and state.
Sensory challenges are often grouped into 2 main categories. The first is hypersensitivity, which is over responsive behavior to environmental stimuli. Often your child gets overwhelmed and reactive, meaning you'll want to help them stay calm and relaxed. The other type is hyposensitivity, which is under responsive behavior to the stimuli in their environment. Your kiddo doesn't get enough sensory support from their regular environment, so they look for ways to get more. To help a hyposensitive child, you'll want to provide more healthy stimulation. Often special needs children will experience both sensory struggles.
If your child's sensory struggles mainly fall into the category of hypersensitivity, here are some ideas of how you can help support them.
- Using light covers, sunglasses or a hat under bright fluorescent lights
- Wearing ear plugs or headphones in noisy environments
- Setting up workspaces in rooms with a closed door or high walls
- Avoiding products with an overly strong scent
- Choosing foods that avoid aversions to textures, temperatures or spices
- Providing soft and comfortable clothing to wear
- Adjusting your schedule to avoid places during rush hour or with crowds
If your child's sensory struggles mainly fall into the category of hyposensitivity, here are some ideas of how you can help support them.
- Provide visual aids if they have trouble processing spoken information
- Using fidget toys, chewies and other sensory tools
- Arranging the furniture to provide safe, open spaces
- Take frequent movement breaks throughout the day to break up monotony
- Provide foods to eat with strong flavors or mixed textures
- Using a weighted blanket, lap pad or wearing clothing that provides deep pressure
That wraps up our training tip for this week! If you have more questions about supporting your child with sensory struggles, don't hesitate to reach out anytime.
Works Cited
Autism Speaks. “Sensory Issues.” Autism Speaks, 2023, www.autismspeaks.org/sensory-issues. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023
You know when you see something so cute and fluffy that you just HAVE to touch it? And physically restrain yourself from squeezing too hard? That was me when we picked up Bella as an 8-week-old puppy almost 3 years ago.
In my humble opinion, Bella was the softest and most adorable puppy in the whole universe! And to prove that she lived up to this title, here are some pictures on her 'gotcha' day.
See what I mean? Isn't this just the cutest face you've ever seen? Bella the ball of fluff grew QUICK, and it wasn't long before she was stealing the hearts of everyone in the neighborhood.
Now just shy of 3 years old, Bella is full grown and still the fluffiest pup around. Hilarious and always keeping us on our toes, we want to share the happiness she brings us with others as well.
Bella tends to be sensitive. Which makes her great as connecting with others! It also means she is overly dramatic... all the time.
After she snuck downstairs and got caught chewing something, we told her 'no.' Then she decided to pout in the corner.
We were on vacation, breakfast wasn't ready 'on time' according to her standards so she was getting in the way in the kitchen. We told her to go lay down and she got very offended. Even when her breakfast was ready, to prove her point she wouldn't come eat for a while.
Case closed.
Sometimes all you can do is laugh and roll your eyes at her haha. We decided to use this extra sensitivity for good by making her a certified therapy dog. Bella is great with kids, very patient, and just loves to loaf around. Primarily, Bella will focus on improving your kiddo's reading skills. We've noticed that many special needs kids struggle to practice reading. It takes a lot of effort, patience, and they often don't enjoy doing something they aren't immediately good at. Well, who wouldn't want to snuggle up and read books with Bella? In the clinic, we have plans to set up a reading corner where Bella can be integrated into your child's session.
We know your family will love Bella just as much as we do!
Last year Aaron was starting to get sick, but nothing too bad. We assumed he was catching a regular 24hr bug and would be back to normal after a good night's rest. That night Bella laid on him in the picture above. The following day, he was sitting, laying on the couch, or on the ground, she kept sticking her nose right in his ear. Later his ear began hurting and after it didn't get better, we took him to the Dr. where he was diagnosed with an ear infection.
Coincidence? I'll let you decide.
Bella is sweet, emotional, in-tune, and just overflowing with love! We cannot wait for you to meet her. If you are interested in ABA therapy services or even to meet and read to Bella, reach out. We would be happy to welcome you to the Sunshine family!
You can keep up with Bella on instagram and tiktok @readbookswithbella !
It's fall y'all!
Fall is one of my favorite seasons, and I believe we can officially start celebrating everything fall has to offer right after Labor Day. With all the flavors of pumpkin spice and cinnamon, activities and festivals, colors and clothes, what's not to love?
After the heat and humidity of August following a long and sweaty summer, it's hard not to pine after the cool, crisp weather that fall has to offer. At least for me, I find myself counting down the days until I can walk outside without melting! But, with anything in life, good things come to those who wait. Learning patience is a fundamental skill we need to develop as we interact with the people around us.
One occurring behavior I see that a lot of families with young children face is a lack of patience. Many kids struggle to wait. I want it and I want it now is their rule of life! Parents do their best to lovingly teach their kiddos the importance of waiting, however it doesn’t seem to get better over time for our kids with Autism.
That's why for Training Tip Tuesday this week, I decided to talk about teaching patience. Inspiration for this blog post came from Autism Speak's article 'Autism and Teaching Patience' which is linked below.
It talks about how a lot of kids with autism are visual learners, meaning they absorb information best through sight. This applies to teaching patience as well. Usually, we tell our kiddos 'wait, 20 minutes, later', etc. However, these are auditory signals which are harder for our special needs children to understand. By changing the approach we use to teach patience from listening to seeing, we are teaching to our child's needs making it easier for them to grasp the concept.
The article mentions several ways to teach patience visually. Wait cards, calendars, visual timers, and choice boards just a few of the methods that can be adapted to your families' individual needs. If your child lacks patience, or the ability to wait, then this article is for you!
If you have any questions or would like some advice about helping your kiddo learn more patience, please reach out to us! We would love to connect you with a Behavior Analyst. Or, if you have something you would like us to address in a blog post we are here to help!
Another Tuesday another Training Tip! Raise your hand if you've ever told your child they had to finish their vegetables to get a cookie? Or they would lose their toy for throwing a tantrum? But when the rest of the family is having dessert, or your kiddo is finally playing independently its hard to stand strong.
For this week, we wanted to focus on the importance of following through. Many times, we are guilty of making empty threats with the hopes of getting our kiddos to listen. Children, being ever so clever, learn very quickly if you say what you mean and mean what you say. When there is lack of follow through, kids will learn they can continue to test our limits. Sound familiar? These simple but important tips are for you!
#1 No Means No.
When you say no, stick with it! Kids need to learn that our words can be trusted. Sometimes we get into a rut of saying no immediately, regret it and we don't enforce the "no." If this is the case, follow through with the "no " statement for now. Then wait around 20 minutes until you see your kiddo being good and reward them with what they originally asked for. It's a win win!
#2 Wisely Pick Your Battles
Kids are always learning. The way they view the world, and their priorities are different than ours. Children think differently and have important things to them that we don't even think about. It's part of growing up. When your kiddo wants to make choices, let them! Maybe they want to mismatch their clothes or wear boots instead of sneakers. Whatever they are choosing, allow them to make their own choices. It's not worth the battle to force what we want every time, so save those battles for when it is actually important. Our children will learn that we intervene when it's necessary. If we choose a verbal battle, then we need to win it. Not by yelling louder, rather, by showing our kids we are calm and in control. Stick to our words making sure those words are honest.
#3 Mix it Up
Have a fun break, day or night. Just as kids need structure, some days they need a break. Give it to them! Pick a fun day, maybe each week or twice a month, where some of our rules can go on the back burner. Cereal for dinner? Sure! Movie night in mom's room? Yes please! Sleep in the couch cushion fort? Now we are on a roll. You can even call it a fun name like "backwards day" or something silly. Rules are a necessary part of structure and routine, however, give your kiddos a break from their rules every once in a while. Your kids will love it and so will you!
#4 Consequences
When we are upset, we want our kids to know it. We tell them if they don't straighten up, privileges are lost. Often this is occurring during an emotional crisis aka 'tantrum,' and although we are serious, this is never the time for punishment. Kids can't immediately control their emotions once they have escalated. No matter how much we threaten to take things away, they still escalate. It's an unfair advantage on our part. When your child is on this emotional roller coaster and you're losing patience as well, don't try to teach or preach. Don't threaten. Instead, work on calming yourself and your kiddo. Once you're calm, then the necessary consequences can be discussed. Remember, we are the adults. It is our responsibility to teach our children how they should act when they are mature enough to handle it!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. We are more than happy to help you with anything your family needs!
It's time! The moment we've all been waiting for...
*cue Jaws theme music*
The clinic is open!!!
Earlier this week, Sunshine ABA Therapy made history when we opened our first clinic in Hinesville Georgia. While there is still a lot to do, we've been hard at work creating a space your family will enjoy. Here are a few photos of the process.
These are just a few pictures, but they definitely don't do it justice. It's just the beginning and we have exciting plans for the clinic and Sunshine ABA Therapy as a whole in the near future. Come see the clinic for yourself! Reach out and we would be more than happy to assist you.
You know that sinking feeling? When you say something in the heat of the moment and feel immediate regret.
We all fall into the parent trap of saying things to our children we probably shouldn’t. It is part of learning to parent and navigate relationships. However, when speaking to our children, it's important that we remember they are not equal adults and therefore cannot handle adult language. When we speak to our children keep these tips in mind.
Remember to be kind. It's tough when we are feeling upset and frustrated. But if a parent is showing this emotion consistently, your child gets the wrong message which is… does my parent really like me? They associate themselves as the source of your frustration which will wreak havoc on their confidence and self-esteem. Of course, we love our kids! However, they won't know that unless we show them with kind, calm words.
As important as the things you say are, remember to consider your actions. You teach by example and whether we realize it or not, our children are always watching! When we speak to our kids, we teach them how to have a relationship and behave with others. Choose your words wisely and use a calm voice. A child will internalize everything a parent or loved adult says to them, right or wrong. When you are upset, tell your child you need a break first and then proceed. This example will teach your child how to handle conflict better than any words you say in the heat of the moment.
As a society, we label everything in our environment each day. Although this is common practice, please remove labels for your child. Do not call them names or label their potential. Your child will live up to your labels and expectations. Use positive statements such as 'I know you can do it', 'You are so creative,' or fun or inquisitive etc. Be careful not to body shame by saying they are too something or not enough of something. Kids, even young ones, understand when your statements are negative or positive. That's why it is critical to keep our statements positive. If you do say something and regret it, apologize! An apology teaches others you are human and not afraid to admit mistakes. By watching your example, your children will also learn how they should act when they say something they regret.
Create a safe space of open communication. Remember to keep in mind the age and maturity level of your kiddo, using words on their level. Be precise and set realistic goals. Always be honest, and don't fall into the habit of making empty threats to take things away you really won't. Kids need to know they can rely on you and trust the caring adults in their life!
Above all, NEVER withhold your child’s needs. Every child needs love, comfort, food, clothes and nurturing. These needs are non-negotiable and should never be withheld or earned. There are plenty of fun items that can be earned or taken away, if necessary, but never a child's needs.
As you consider these tips, don't stress! Change takes time but when you put in the effort, little by little and day by day, you'll see improvement. And remember, you are all part of the Sunshine Family! Reach out if you have any questions, we are always here for you.
Happy Tuesday! Hope you are having a great start to your week and enjoying all the beauty around you in this world. Often, I'm so busy with my tasks and to-do lists that I take the small things for granted. And I don't mean to, but I get caught up in what others need that I forget to breath and appreciate the moment.
I'm sure many of you can relate, our families are everything! We love them and want the very best for our loved ones, making sure they have the things that they need oftentimes at the expense of ourselves. Sometimes we want so much for them that we easily forget about taking care of a very important member of the family, ourselves.
Thats why Training Tip Tuesday this week is for the ones who tirelessly serve in order to make sure those around us have the best life possible. From driving to and from, to cooking, cleaning mess after mess, play dates, therapy appointments, you get it... the list just doesn’t end! Often the needs of others become so great that we don’t feel there is any time for the Giver. When we neglect our own needs day after day, we can easily start to feel down and depressed experiencing what is called, 'Caregiver Burnout.'
According to the American Medical Association, "Caregiver burnout can create symptoms of stress and depression in the caregiver and negatively affect both the caregiver and the care recipient. Some symptoms manifest externally and are easy to identify, but others are often internal and not as apparent. If left unaddressed, burnout can have harmful effects for both the caregiver and the patient under their care. (1)"
Although we may need to seek professional help if we feel we are experiencing extreme caregiver burnout, here are 5 tips to pamper the Giver to try to avoid the onset of burnout before it becomes overwhelming.
#1 Remember What You Love
This could mean rekindling a personal passion, talent or hobby. Who are you outside of being a caregiver? Take some time to remember who you are so you can do something you love. It's okay to be happy and meet a personal need!
#2 Be Realistic
Be realistic about schedules, time and money. There are hundreds of great programs out there that our loved ones could be involved in, and they all may have great benefits. However, we can’t attend every great thing in life. Look at your options, your budget, and your time. Then, after considering what is good, better, and best, make decisions that work for the entire family.
#3 Reflect
Take time to reflect each day on your life. Some like to meditate, some pray, others listen to peaceful music. It can be as simple as just sitting down to think. Focus on your breathing and be calm. Spend a few moments each day on you. This will calm and refresh your mind and help you feel a greater sense of peace and wellness.
#4 Get Outside Regularly
Now before you tell me it's the middle of August with the humidity of a sauna, there are great benefits! Research has shown that fresh air and a short walk does so much for our soul. The simple things in life matter most and being outside consistently is as simple as it gets!
#5 Shed That Guilt!
Don’t fall victim to the mentality that you can do it all, even Batman had Robin. Caregivers often carry guilt over not being good enough for those whom we care for. Please don’t! Instead, praise what you are already doing and focus on what you may be able to do better. Put a plan in place if improvements truly need to be made. You can use your energy for more important things then feeling bad all the time. Kids don’t always need to be entertained and we aren't expected to always have all the answers in life. We only have 24 hours in a day, spend your time wisely!
If you feel your burnout has reached a point that is greater than you can handle, seek professional help. Strength comes from asking and receiving help. For more information on caregiver burnout please visit 'The American Medical Association' (cited below).
And as always, we are here for you! Reach out to us with questions, comments, or concerns and we are more than happy to help. At Sunshine ABA, families are the most important, and you are part of ours.
Works Cited
(1) “Caring for the Caregiver - American Medical Association.” American Medical Association , www.ama-assn.org/sites/ama-assn.org/files/corp/media-browser/public/public-health/caregiver-burnout-guide.pdf. Accessed 15 Aug. 2023.
There is just something about Saturday afternoons in the Summer. After another long and hot week, I like to have a lazier Saturday spending time with family and getting things done around the house. No matter how you spend your Saturday, I feel like there are always good vibes attached.
That's why I thought Saturday would be the perfect day to share some exciting news! Exciting announcements on an already good day is like the ultimate double whammy.
As the Sunshine family continues to grow, we are STOKED to announce that...
*drumroll please*
There will be a brand-new clinic located in Orlando Florida, expected to open Mid -September!!!
Who else is jumping for joy??
If you've never had services in a clinic before let me tell you just a few reasons why this is so exciting!
- The presence of peers allows for more opportunities to work on social interaction and appropriate behavior
- A better setting for generalizing skills to places other than the home that your kiddo may not be familiar with
- Access to a wider range of reinforcers and learning opportunities
- Opportunity to practice real world skills in a controlled environment
- Ability to access one-on-one high-quality parent training with providers in a clinical setting
- And more!
We can't wait to open in Orlando and have the opportunity to meet your family's needs in this way! And if you aren't located near Orlando or Hinesville, definitely keep your eyes open. As Sunshine ABA Therapy continues to expand, we have exciting things underway.
If you have any questions at all, or things you would like to see in our clinic reach out! We want to help you and your family the best that we can.
