Influences on Behavior: A Worksheet

  Child:  _____________________             Observer: ________________ Date/Time:   _________________            Setting:  _________________ Target Behavior: _____________________________ Definition of Behavior:  ________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________             Behavior can be influenced by three factors:  the child’s characteristics, the features of the environment, and the characteristics of the child’s interactive partner.  Which of the following characteristics of autism/PDDNOS might influence this behavior?  (check all […]

Read More

How to Employ Intervention Techniques for Reducing Problem Behavior

Step 1.  REINFORCING THE ABSENCE OF A NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR 1.  Clearly define the negative behavior and begin the assessment process to determine the function, frequency, duration, antecedents and consequences, etc. 2.  When you observe the child doing anything but the negative behavior, provide additional attention, tangible objects, stimulation, or escape from tasks or environments.  Use […]

Read More

Helping Less Verbal Youth with ASD Manage Strong Emotions

Learning Objectives: Participants will recognize how the biological features of ASD make coping (or self-regulation) very challenging, especially when a person doesn’t have easy access to language. Participants will increase awareness of the behavioral signs of escalating anxiety in youth with ASD. Participants will learn about a variety of strategies and resources that can be […]

Read More

A Guide to Prevention and Intervention

Assess the child’s preferences, dislikes, strengths, deficits, and motivations prior to developing a behavioral intervention. Use a data-based problem-solving approach to behavior management which incorporates observation, analysis, and on-going evaluation of the effectiveness of the intervention. Teach the child a functional way of communicating how to get attention, how to obtain a desired object or sensory […]

Read More

Resources for Families to Support Learning and Independence in School-Aged Children and Teens

Interactive Websites/Computer Resources Brainology.  This is a software program designed for late elementary/middle school in particular, with the goal of improving metacognition (i.e., helping students to reflect on their own thoughts and attitudes) and developing motivation and resilience in the face of learning challenges. Brainology.comwww.brainology.us/educator/programDescription.aspxbrainology.com The interactive website may be particularly engaging for science-minded kids.  […]

Read More

Assessment in Developmental Disabilities: Tools

Assessment in Developmental Disabilities A Lecture for NSP Special Topics Course NRSC 7670 OV1 (Course Director:  K. Gardiner) February 5 & 7, 2013 Presented by Susan Hepburn, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist/Associate Professor Departments of Psychiatry & Pediatrics/JFK Partners/University of Colorado     DEVELOPMENTAL/INTELLECTUAL ASSESSMENT TOOLS (sequenced developmentally) 1.  The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) (Bricker […]

Read More

Tools for Assessing Autism Symptoms and Relevant Features

AUTISM SYMPTOM CHECKLISTS – (EDUCATOR OR PARENT REPORT)   Infant-Toddler Checklist (ITC) Description:  The Infant-Toddler Checklist (ITC; Wetherby & Prizant, 2002) is a 25-item checklist that was developed out of the SCERTS model and is very well attuned to the communicative aspects of ASD in young children.  Designed and validated in a large community sample […]

Read More

Difference Between Education Identification and Medication Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

What is the difference between a medical diagnosis and an educational identification of an Autism Spectrum Disorder? Different criteria and outcomes:  Educational identification and clinical diagnosis are two very different processes, which, as summarized in Table 1 (below), rely upon different definitions of ASD and provide information for different contexts.  The two systems are not […]

Read More

Summer Fun for Young Children

Summer provides a wonderful time for exploring with your children.  Below are some ideas for activities to try with your children aimed at encouraging learning, sensory exploration, communication, and fun!  Ideas have been adapted from the book, “More Things to Do with Toddlers and Twos,” by Karen Miller.  While the ideas were designed for very […]

Read More

Don’t Let Imposter Syndrome Hold You Back

Does this sound familiar? You love your boss, the CEO. He’s the smartest, fairest, least ego, most supportive leader you’ve ever worked for, and you trust his judgment – business and otherwise – completely.  And you love your career, which has provided many opportunities to work on cool projects, with teams of knowledgeable individuals, to […]

Read More

7 Ways to Rock the Second Half of Your Career

Find yourself sliding down that slippery slope from engaged, curious, enthusiastic professional to defensive, change-resistant, entitled old geezer? At best, it’s really hard to deliver your best stuff when you’ve got a big neon “Stop All This Change Stuff Now!” sign flashing on your forehead. At worst, you may actually be putting your job in […]

Read More
Discover More