Behavior Support Services
A Message from Erin Butler, MEd BCBA LBA
Hello all!
I wanted to attach some links for websites that would be helpful for all students, but also students who struggle with behavior. A lot of these websites are having free trials right now! If you have an individual question about how to deal with a specific behavior, please feel free to email me at ebutler@spectrumcharter.org . We can decide to set up a video conference from there if further training is needed. I also have many visuals I can send home, including token economies, visual schedules, social stories, first/then boards, think sheets, feeling charts, reinforcement menus, etc. Please email me to request any of these!
We hope everyone is staying healthy and educated as best they can during this time.
Fun and Educational Websites for Children:
Social Stories:
Children on the Autism Spectrum have more of a difficult time understanding and process emotions. Here are a few social stories that we found talking about the craziness of today.
More Resources:
Blogs hold great resources! Here are a few of my favorites!
Tip we use at school that you can use at home:
Precision commands - "Johnny, please sit down" - "Johnny you need to sit down." Give time (10-20 sec) for child to process between commands
High reinforcement - Being in a new learning environment will require more reinforcement to stay engaged.
Verbal Praise - Children will appreciate hearing words of affirmation when completing tasks from the people they love and see most.
Set Expectations, Be Consistent, and Follow Through - HUGE! If you don't follow through, neither will your child.
Visual Timers - showing your child how much time they have for each activity and in between will help when transitioning.
Visual Schedules - Your child will appreciate knowing what their day looks like.
Giving Choices - Give your child a sense of control when it comes to reinforcement or work assignments - "you can pick math or reading."
Breaks - Quiet breaks with dim lighting, or fun breaks to get out and run around can help keep your child stay regulated throughout the day.
Prompt Hierarchy
The Prompt Hierarchy is a strategy used to correct the learner and still increase learning. Staff at Spectrum use the Prompt Hierarchy as a useful tool to increase learning and independence in our students. Here is where you can find this visual and the article on what is prompt hierarchy and how do use it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YtmJ4vjCjs
A video explaining the Prompt Hierarchy.
Visual Schedules
Kids on the spectrum can get anxious when routine changes or unfamiliar situations arise. Bring structure to the home by using Visual Schedules. Having a visual schedule reduces anxiety while teaching flexibility. They provide clear expectations throughout the day.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IUe0V3Yz_zR2F21uBOqEzWhMKIGtp8m4VJ97fRpDsnc/edit
Here is an example of a visual schedule. You are able to print off and use at them at home or modify however it will fit for your home. I use google images clip art to make most visuals! If you would like a personalized one for your student, feel free to email us.
Erin Butler, Med BCBA LBA
Behavior Specialist
Lauren Harvey, RBT
Behavior Assistant
Lharvey@spectrumcharter.org