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Helping Individuals in Emergency Situations Starts with First Responder Training
Emergency situations are by their nature often unpredictable. Accompanying many of these situations are unfamiliar sounds, sights, and smells. For many people, the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty of these types of situations can be overwhelming. For individuals diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum...
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Challenging Behavior at School: Using a Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Plan
When addressing behavior problems, a careful assessment provides the foundation for effective and efficient intervention. Consider the following scenario: After struggling with headaches for nearly a week, you visit a doctor. Following a brief discussion, the doctor suggests brain surgery. While...
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From Research to Practice: Social Skills Training in a Clinical Setting
The ability to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships is a cornerstone of successful child development and among the greatest challenges for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD; Church, Alisanski, and Amanullah, 2000). Effective interpersonal relationship skills are important for...
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Social Problem Solving: Best Practices for Youth with ASD
Joey, age 9, has been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and due to his high functioning has been mainstreamed into a fourth grade classroom with a shadow. His challenging behaviors typically center on his peer interactions in spite of adequate academic performance. When in a group...
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Helping Children with Social Skills Difficulties: The Benefits of Extended School Year Instruction
While it may feel like we are still trying to dig out from recent winter storms and stay warm, spring time is fast approaching. Over the next several months, parents and special education teams once again will begin to consider children’s needs for the summer and next school year. Many children...
