When we are called upon to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, we often find that a key area of focus is communication. Communication can mean many things, and it is not characterized only by what an individual expresses or tries to express verbally. Communication is primarily composed of nonverbal behaviors such as gestures, facial…
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) 101
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and autism often go hand in hand. ABA has been endorsed by numerous organizations and federal agencies. There is extensive empirical support for its effectiveness. This means that numerous high-quality, peer-revised published studies have demonstrated that ABA techniques produce significantly positive results. Applied Behavior Analysis has been effectively used for the…
Do Less, So They Can Do More
Whether an individual is 2 years old or 42 years old, and wherever they lie on the autism spectrum, a simple but important strategy for encouraging communication, teaching skills, and promoting independence is ādo less, so they can do more.ā We know that individuals with autism often need repeated opportunities to master a skill. We…
How Behavior Can Go the Way of the Dinosaurs
Extinction is what happened to the dinosaurs, the saber-toothed tiger, and the dodo bird. But did you know behavior can undergo extinction as well? Donāt worry, behavioral extinction does not involve a massive comet colliding with the Earth. Behavior is said to undergo extinction when it simply no longer produces the reinforcement it once did….
Show Me the Data
Close your eyes and think of a behavior youād like to see change in some way. It can be something youād like to see increase or decrease. It can be something that your child, student, partner, friend, or even you do. Have you thought of something yet? Great! Hold on to that for a minute….
Catch Them Being Good: The Power of Praise
As parents and educators, it may seem like we are juggling never-ending to-do lists. When you add managing challenging behaviors to the list, it can quickly become overwhelming. Some days it may feel like all you are doing is telling children ānoā or repeating instructions over and over. You may begin to ask yourself, āHow…
Why is This Behavior Occurring?
Everyone has walked into a grocery store and seen a child crying while reaching for a candy bar in the checkout lane. Perhaps youāve experienced a toddler cry and scream when you walk out of the room, only to hear her stop as soon as you walk back inside. If youāre a parent, you may…
Free workshop on behavior coming to the Triangle
As parents of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and as professionals working with individuals on the spectrum, it is likely that we have experienced challenging and persistent behaviors. When we experience these behaviors in an individual with ASD, one of the first questions we should ask ourselves is, āWhat is the individual trying to communicate…
Building Communication-Rich Environments: Practical Strategies for Success
Throughout your daily life, consider how frequently you communicate your wants and needs and the various tools you use to do so. Now imagine that you lost your communication abilities. Conveying even the most simplistic messages about your thoughts, feelings, and basic needs would suddenly be much more difficult. Many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder…