4 Best Tips to Teach an Individual How to Use a Visual Schedule  Visual schedules can be commonly seen in a school environment, but it can also be beneficial in the home and community. According to the University of Utah, “visual schedules are an intervention that can help individuals with autism follow a routine, transition between activities, develop new skills, and reduce dependence on caretakers

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The 3 Most Asked Questions for ABC Data: What? Why? How?  ABC data is a type of data collection that clinicians and caregivers are asked to record quite often. Here we will discuss 3 questions that are often asked when someone is asked to record this type of data: What is it? Why do we need to record it? How do we collect data using this method?  1. What is ABC data collection?  The “ABC” in ABC data stands for Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence. There

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Top 3 Challenges for New Behavior Technicians  As Behavior Technicians, we have a multifaceted job description that comes with many successes and challenges. While helping our clients to learn often feels extremely rewarding, there are some aspects of the position make the learning curve steep for new Behavior Technicians. I have listed the top 3 challenges for new Behavior Technicians or people new to the field of ABA experience followed by my advice for conquering those challenges.   Applying Newly Learned ABA Strategies into Practice  After completing my training, I embarked on my new position as

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Using Preference Assessments to Motivate Individuals  Motivation is vital within the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA) because the interest of an individual is used as a strategy to motivate them to accomplish tasks which may not be accomplished (whether that’s due to a skill deficit, preference, or some other reason). As human beings, we all like different things. We are all naturally motivated by primary reinforcers (e.g., things that do not need to be learned such as food, water and warmth) as well as secondary reinforcers (which vary across individuals

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How to Identify the 4 Functions of Behavior  Any behavior that an individual displays always has a purpose or function behind it. By identifying the function of the behavior, it will assist to develop proactive and reactive strategies based on the problem behavior and teach the individual better and appropriate ways to communicate their needs based on that function. First, we will need to know what those functions are. There are 4 functions of behavior, which are:  Access  Escape  Attention  Sensory   A way that

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Top 10 Reasons to Study for the RBT Exam  There are many benefits that come from passing the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) exam. It may feel like a daunting task, but when you focus on these 10 reasons, you may get motivated to get started. We will discuss the top 10 reasons to study for the RBT exam.  Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a relatively new science and field. It is

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4 Best Strategies to Teach Handwashing  Handwashing is a self-help skill we use in our daily life and is a prevention method to decrease the spread of COVID-19. When teaching handwashing, here are 4 best strategies that will assist to successfully accomplish the skill:  Task Analysis: Breaking down the steps   Chaining: Determine how to teach the skill   Prompt Hierarchy: Teach by using least to most assistance   Reinforcement: Provide praise and reinforcement as you practice   Breaking Down the Steps  Before we start to teach handwashing, it is

• Tags: backwards chaining, chaining, completing tasks, COVID-19, forward chaining, Handwashing, model prompt, reinforcement, self-help skills, Task analysis, verbal prompt
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Best Considerations for Summertime During COVID-19 Using the ACT Bullseye  Last week the focus was on considerations for summertime during COVID-19 using the ACT matrix as a tool. This week we will discuss narrowing those topics using the ACT Bullseye, because there are many ways to spend our summer, even with social limitations in place.   For the person seeking self-care: Listen to your body. Take a nap

• Tags: ACT, ACT Bullseye, ACT Matrix, COVID-19, Summer
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4 Considerations for Summertime during COVID-19 using the ACT Matrix  The life we know has abruptly changed as a result of COVID-19 and now we are left to figure out what to do during summertime. For some people that means varied amounts of free time, for others that means an increase in work obligations, and then there are some people that are living a very similar life as they were 6 months ago,

• Tags: ACT, ACT Matrix, Applied Behavior Analysis, COVID-19, Free time, Summer
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4 Great Ideas to Teach Social Distancing During COVID Adjusting to a new routine such as social distance due to COVID-19, can be stressful for everyone, especially for neuro-diverse individuals.    When teaching social distancing, it is important to:  Give the facts  Practice at home  Give reminders about social distancing before and after leaving the home  Provide praise and reinforcement for appropriate distancing.  Facts: What is Social Distancing?  According to the

• Tags: Applied Behavior Analysis, COVID, COVID-19, Social Distancing
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