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January 27 2023

Prompting

Prompting Accurate Responses
Prompting includes any attempts to increase your student’s success in completing different tasks. It includes several types. Think of it as a spectrum: from least restrictive to most restrictive. The word restrictive refers to the level you are limiting your student’s movements. Here’s the list of different prompts (from least to most)

– Vocal Prompting:

This includes vocal instructions to your student. It can include “keeping going” or “put the plate in the dishwasher”. It’s similar to walking your student through steps necessary to complete the steps.

– Gestural prompting:

This includes pointing at items or locations related to the task. For example, pointing at the washer’s lid to prompt the student to open it, pointing at the dish soap for the student to get it, and pointing at different parts of a table during a wiping task.

– Visual prompting:

This includes pictures or text representing the task. For example, writing “open washer” on a board, or showing the student a picture of a washer that is open. Some students need a picture or text that represents every step of the task, while others are successful with a picture or text representing the task.

– Modeling:

This includes showing the student how to complete a task. It could be modeling the entire task or just a step of a task. For example, you could demonstrate spraying a table, and wiping it up and down, then allow your student complete the entire task. If that is too difficult for your student, model one step, then allow your student to imitate that step.

– Partial physical prompting:

This includes placing a hand on your student’s shoulder or elbow, and guiding the student’s movement to make the correct motion.

– Full physical prompting:

This is equivalent to hand over hand, and the level of guiding is higher when compared with partial physical prompting.

General Guidelines:
– Give your student time to complete the task. That will give you an idea of how much help he or she needs to complete the task.
– Try to only give enough prompting for the student to be successful. For example, if gestural prompting is enough, then there’s no need to use partial physical prompting.
– If the task is new, it will be likely that partial or full physical prompting is going to be needed.
– If the task is familiar, it is best to start with gestural prompting. Students tend to grow dependent on vocal prompting, and it’s very difficult to shift away from vocal prompting to independence.
– Visual/textual schedules: these can be very important to some of our students, since they tend to need reminders of what they should be doing next.

January 9 2023

What is Autism?

“Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 44 children in the Unite States today” (Speaks, 2022a).

Autism is truly a spectrum. Child’s abilities and challenges vary based on a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There are several subtypes of Autism, and it can range from a child requiring immense support in daily living, to a child able to live independently. Autism is typically accompanied by medical issues including sensory sensitivities, gastrointestinal issues, seizures, sleep disorders and occasionally depression and/or anxiety.

Signs of Autism

Typically, Autism is screened for at ages 2-3 years old. However, it is extremely crucial to be educated in signs/symptoms so you can observe your child throughout the early years.

6 months

Limited eye contact
Decreased smiles/limited engagement with familiar faces

9 months

Decreased back/forth sounds (ooh, ahh)

12 months

Little to no babbling
Decreased or no responding to their name
Little to no waving, pointing, showing of interest/back-forth

16 months

Very few to no words

24 months

Very few to no meaningful 2-word phrases (does not include imitating or repeating)

At any age

Decreased eye contact
Limited understanding of other’s feelings
Preferring solitude
Restricted interests
Resistance to minor changes
Repetitive behaviors (flapping, rocking, spinning)
Unusual and/or intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights, colors

“If you have concerns, get your child screened and contact your healthcare provider. The M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers ™) can help you determine if a professional should evaluate your child. This simple online autism screen, available on our website, takes only a few minutes. If the answers suggest your child has a high probability for autism, please consult with your child’s doctor. Likewise, if you have any other concerns about your child’s development, don’t wait. Speak to your doctor now about screening your child for autism” (Speaks, 2022b)

Autism & Different Approaches

Autism is a lifelong disorder; however, with different treatment approaches, children can feel reduced symptoms and improve quality of life. All treatment approaches are individualized to the child, as each child with Autism has a different set of strengths and challenges.

Behavioral Approaches
- These focus on changing behaviors, which lends itself to finding out what happens before and after the behavior.
- Behavioral approaches are rooted in evidence and have the most effective evidence for treatment of ASD. An excellent behavioral environment is Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
  - ABA utilizes Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Pivotal Response Training (PRT)
    - DTT utilizes a step-by-step teaching approach. With this model, activities are broken down into a simpler form to teach appropriate behaviors and responses. Typically, undesired behaviors are ignored using this model.
    - PRT is more of a natural approach to behavior. This approach focuses on teaching “pivotal” skills that will allow the child to develop other skills such as initiating communication.
Developmental Approaches
- These focus on developing the skills children with ASD typically have difficulty developing on their own. These developments include physical, sensory and language skills.
- Occupational therapy teaches the child skills for daily living, to encourage living as independently as possible. These skills include eating, bathing, and relating to others.
  - Occupational therapy can also include sensory integration therapy, which aids in improving responses to sensory input that could be restricting and/or overwhelming.
  - - - Speech and Language Therapy aids in improving a person’s understanding and use of speech and language. Some people with ASD may communicate verbally or nonverbally, using gestures or communication devices. (CDC, 2022)

Great news – Aurora Behavior Clinic offers all 3 of these approaches to treatment of ASD! Peruse our website to find out more information!

CDC. (2022, March 9). Treatment and intervention services for autism spectrum disorder. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/treatment.html#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20developmental%20therapy,people%20with%20ASD%20communicate%20verbally.

Speaks, A. (2022a). What is autism? Autism Speaks. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from

https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism

Speaks, A. (2022b). Learn the Signs of Autism Autism Speaks. Retrieved January 6, 2023, from

https://www.autismspeaks.org/signs-autism

January 9 2023

The Importance of Play

Play is crucial to a child’s development, as it enriches their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Not only does play aid children in comprehensive development, but it also allows parents to connect with their little one at the child’s level, creating a bond throughout childhood. Play is largely based in interaction. As a child plays, they are interacting with the people and environment around them. They can learn how objects work and how others may react to certain activities. As the interaction grows and develops, a child’s confidence and resiliency also build as they are beginning to master their environment.

Although it is immensely important for a parent to play with their child, it is equally, if not more important for children to play with other children. When children play with others, they can maintain creativity and leadership, while with parents some of this is lost as the child begins to accept the adult role within play structure.

Play is crucial throughout life. As the child enters a school setting, play becomes important in developing their social and emotional well-being. Additionally, when play is utilized in a school setting, it aids in the child’s readiness for learning and their problem-solving skills.

Different types of play to consider:

Unstructured play is unplanned play that naturally occurs in the environment. It will typically take place and is important when a child is younger, so they can utilize their imagination, combined with their interests to create a play scheme.
- Examples of unstructured play
  - Creative play including musical or artistic games
  - Exploring new spaces such as backyards, playgrounds, etc.
  - Imaginative games such as make believe or dress-up
Structured play is organized play that occurs in a fixed setting and at a specific time. Typically, it is led by a grown-up, and it is more beneficial towards older children, as they develop and can understand multistep directions.
- Examples of structured play
  - Outdoor ball games such as shooting a basketball
  - Swimming lessons
  - Storytelling at the local library
  - Dance or music classes
  - Board or card games

January 9 2023

What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?

Occupational therapy (OT) is an evidenced-based profession utilizing a holistic approach to consider all components of the individual and their goals. OT focuses on increasing an individual’s capacity and/or modifies the environment and activities for greater participation. OT utilizes direct observation, assessment conducting and analysis of results between the child’s development and the environment.

Occupational therapy provides family-centered services to incorporate support and to strengthen satisfaction, well-being, child performance and caregiver carryover/skills. The practice utilizes modeling, play-based activities, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and social toys to improve cooperative play and promote social outcomes.

Practitioners work with children and their families to promote active participation in their environment and additional meaningful occupations. A child’s occupation is to play and learn, develop life skills, be creative and to thrive. Recommended interventions are based on a thorough understanding of typical development, the child’s environment, and the impact of the disability on their development and overall occupational performance.

Occupational therapy is an appropriate approach for children with developmental disabilities. OT programs assist in targeting concerns such as…

Daily living skills
Fine & gross motor skills
Praxis difficulties
Play skills
Social sills
Sensory difficulties

January 9 2023

What is a Speech Language Pathologist?

A speech-language-pathologist (SLP) is a trained professional certified to provide speech/language therapy services by having obtained the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). A CCC-SLP evaluates and treats children and adults who have difficulty with communication.

An SLP can treat many types of speech and language disorders. A speech disorder is a condition in which a person has difficulty creating or forming the speech sounds needed to communicate with others. Types of speech disorders include articulation and phonological disorder, stuttering and Apraxia. A language disorder is impaired comprehension or the use of spoken, and written language systems. Types of language disorders include receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language disorders. An SLP may also evaluate and treat children and adults who have a swallowing disorder, an oral-motor disorder or require the use of Augmentative alternative communication devices (AAC).

Speech and language therapy is an evidenced based profession utilizing a holistic approach. Our facility offers various treatment approaches and sensory based activities that help promote language development in children. Therapy is tailored for an individual’s specific needs and can treat a variety of disorders such as receptive and expressive language disorders, developmental delays, speech sound disorders, social communication disorders, and feeding/swallowing disorders. SLPs provide family-centered services to treat individuals at all levels of severity from 18 months to 21 years old.

An SLPs main priority is to address improving communication in an individual. Communication is the active process of exchanging information and ideas. The two ways we communicate are verbally and nonverbally. Verbal communication consists of spoken language. Nonverbal communicators communicate in other non-vocal ways such as using gestures or eye contact or their body language to help us understand their wants and needs and their emotions. Some nonverbal communicators also use AAC which stands for alternative and augmentative communication; Augmentative means to add to someone’s speech and Alternative means to be used instead of speech. People of all ages can use AAC if they have trouble with speech or language skills. Some people use AAC throughout their life. Others may use AAC only for a short time, like when they have surgery and can’t produce speech. There are two types of AAC. One type of AAC is low tech or no tech AAC which requires something external to the person using it that is non-electronic or a very simple electronic device. For example, Picture Exchange Communication (PECs), or communication books. High tech AAC is a complex electronic device that permits the storage and retrieval of messages, which allows speech output such as using an app or an iPad/tablet with a “voice” to communicate known as a Speech generating device.

January 9 2023

SLP and ABA Collaboration

Speech therapists can play a major role in helping individuals with Autism learn to communicate and engage with other people. They can help the individual with autism build communication and social skills in different settings like home, school, and work. SLPs may work with the person alone or in small groups.

Although the fields of SLP and ABA each address a wide range of different concerns, we share an interest in supporting individuals with communication impairments, including reducing problem behaviors that stem from inadequate communication skills. Teamwork can also better teach our students to develop and use functional communication skills across a variety of instructors and environments. As SLP and behavioral analysts overlap in the teaching of communication skills, each profession contributes unique expertise. Behavior analysts have strengths in measuring communication skills, especially related to functionally-defined verbal operants, whereas speech-language pathologists have a deep understanding of speech and language development.

It takes a village to support our clients and all members of the village are important.

Some ways SLPs initiate and maintain a collaborative process with behavior analysts:

Give input on functional communication by helping develop phrases or words the student can use to communicate how they feel when working with the RBT—or anyone on the team.
Develop shareable communication goals.If we can teach team members to implement communication-based goals, students will get more opportunities to practice these skills throughout their day. These opportunities outside the speech room can help students become more independent and effective communicators.
Share approaches you think will be better for the student. This will help determine the best way to target goals for our students.
Discuss progress with each other. It is important to discuss progress on goals so the team is up to date on goals and new goals can be discussed.

July 21 2022

THE ARC OF LOUDOUN ANNOUNCES THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS LIVE IN CONCERT AT THE SHOCKTOBERTM HAUNT PARTY ON OCTOBER 8, 2022

LEESBURG, VA – While summer is still in full swing, The Arc of Loudoun is planning their annual fall fundraiser. A Shocktober^TM-themed Haunt Party will be held at Ion International Training Center on Saturday, October 8, 2022, beginning at 6:00pm, with special Guest Stars They Might Be Giants in concert.

“The owners of Paxton Campus, who have donated use of the property to The Arc of Loudoun since 2008, have plans to bring multiple nonprofit organizations that serve children onto the campus” said The Arc’s CEO Lisa Kimball. “As a result, Carlheim Manor is no longer available for The Arc’s use, leaving us without a place to hold our award-winning Haunted House, Shocktober^TM. We explored several alternate locations, but our Haunt Master determined that none were suitable – leaving The Arc with a projected $500,000 net loss for the year. Because the need for advocacy, education, therapy, and support for people with disabilities and their families in our region continues to grow exponentially, we needed to find a creative way to raise funds without our beloved Haunted House. The Arc is very excited about teaming with our amazing partners Ion International Training Center and, of course, They Might Be Giants to bring our Haunt Party and Concert to life and raise much-needed funds to serve our community”.

The event is a PG-13 extravaganza where haunt-themed costumes are encouraged. They Might Be Giants will perform their Greatest Hits! TMBG and their barnstorming live band will deliver all of your favorite songs plus some unexpected surprises. Along with the great music, food and beverages will be available for purchase on site to round out the celebration. Tickets are $40 general admission, $50 arena seat, $65 premium arena seat and $125 per person for the Really Important People “R.I.P.” package.

Presales for Shocktober Fans launch Saturday, August 6^th and ticket sales for the general public begin on August 12^th.

Purchase your tickets at https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/8893760/shocktoberhaunt-party-leesburg-ion-arena.

About They Might Be Giants

A band doesn’t tour for 35 years if the people don’t come back for more. Brooklyn originals They Might Be Giants is a beloved perpetual motion machine. The band’s melodic, upbeat, energetic, spontaneous, and often virtuosic show delivers in a way most live acts can’t. As they enter their fourth decade of music-making, the band continues to burnish their legendary status by actively recording their original songs and touring internationally. They’ve made over 20 albums, sold more than a few million, and won a couple of Grammys.

About Ion International Training Center

Ion International Training Center is a year-round, twin sheet indoor ice rink and Arena, serving recreational and professional figure skaters, ice dancers, pair skaters, synchronized skaters, and hockey players of Loudoun County, VA and around the world. One rink is encircled by Grandstand stadium seating, with a maximum 5,500 seats providing fans and Loudoun County residents a venue to enjoy a wide variety of activities and events. Ion International Training Center serves athletes from around the world who seek world-class facility, coaching and training.

About The Arc of Loudoun

Since 1967, The Arc of Loudoun has worked to provide a lifetime of opportunities for people with disabilities while advocating for, educating, serving, and supporting those individuals and their families. Its mission is expressed through six integrated programs – Ability Fitness Center, A Life Like Yours (ALLY) Advocacy Center, Aurora Behavior Clinic, Aurora School, Open Door Learning Center Preschool, and Project Horse. For more information about The Arc of Loudoun, please visit www.thearcofloudoun.org or call (703) 777-1939.

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For more information:

Dianne Murphy, APR

703927 0394
diannem.murphy@gmail.com

For more information online on The Arc and its community programs:
www.thearcofloudoun.org

March 28 2022

THE ARC OF LOUDOUN ANNOUNCES DIGITAL COMMUNICATION AGENCY OF RECORD

Leesburg community advocacy organization developing new offerings and expanding programs for people with disabilities and their families selects Information Experts to communicate growth and facilitate outreach and interaction

Leesburg, VA — March 28, 2022 — The Arc of Loudoun, having announced an open competition for a marketing communications support vendor via a Request for Proposal on January 10, 2022, has selected Information Experts as its agency of record. The agency will immediately begin coordinating a communications plan and implementing the many outreach materials for The Arc and its six constituent program entities: The Ability Fitness Center, A Life Like Yours (ALLY) Advocacy Center, Aurora Behavior Clinic, Aurora School, Open Door Learning Center Preschool, and Project Horse.

The Arc of Loudoun CEO, Lisa Kimball, commented:

“Because the need for disabilities-related services is expanding in the region, The Arc of Loudoun is developing new offerings and growing our programs. We’re also exploring options to relocate to a different facility in Loudoun County to support our growth. We need a truly proficient marketing and communications partner to maximize our M&C budget – and we have that partner now in Information Experts.”

The Arc and Information Experts had been working together on a more tactical, as-needed basis in 2021.

“Information Experts redeveloped and enhanced our website over the past year, and the expertise and experience that they brought to that effort proved their ability to efficiently, effectively, and creatively deliver solutions that surpass expectations. We’re confident that Information Experts will continue to be an integral part of The Arc of Loudoun’s ongoing success,” said Lisa Kimball.

Adam Levin, CEO of Information Experts, added:

“We help organizations communicate their “Why,” and The Arc has as great and inspiring a “Why” as any organization that I or anybody on my team have ever encountered. We are honored to be the agency selected to help them achieve their communications objectives and will give them our all.”

About The Arc of Loudoun

Since 1967, The Arc of Loudoun has been dedicated to serving people with disabilities and their families. Its mission is expressed through six integrated programs – Ability Fitness Center, A Life Like Yours (ALLY) Advocacy Center, Aurora Behavior Clinic, Aurora School, Open Door Learning Center Preschool, and Project Horse.

About Information Experts

Information Experts is a 27-year-old, Reston-based marketing services agency specializing in digital and print strategic communications for corporations, associations, non-profits, and Federal agencies. Services comprise communications plans, creative content, print and website design and development, multimedia and video production, and online advertising.

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For more information:

Dianne Murphy, APR

703-927-0394
diannem.murphy@gmail.com

For more information online on The Arc and its community programs:
www.thearcofloudoun.org

December 8 2021

Behavioral Contrast

You attend a teacher-parent conference meeting, and the teacher is telling you about how well your child is with reading, participating in group, and answering questions. You wonder silently to yourself, my child goes straight to his room, and he doesn’t answer questions consistently. Or maybe it’s the other way around; your child does really well at home, but he does not perform as well in school. Does that sound familiar?

This is explained in Applied Behavior Analysis, and the term of the day is “Behavioral Contrast”!

“Behavioral contrast” occurs when the child’s behavior changes if there’s difference in location (e.g., home versus school), people (e.g., parents versus teachers), or both! In everyday language, it is due to the rules and consequences being different, which means that the child’s behavior may be rewarded, punished, or ignored depending on where they are, or who they are with.

For example, if a child asks for a cookie at home, and he is told “no”, he might accept it, and move on. However, if he is in the store, and he is told “no”, he might not accept it and engage in the tantrum behavior. The likely reason behind this is probably related to how many times a child is told “no” at home versus in the store, in addition to the parent’s ability to ignore tantrum behavior at home versus the store.

So, what do we about this? Quite a bit. Consistency and practice across different environments and/or people are key components in reducing behavioral contrast. If the response (how you respond) to the child is consistently the same across environments and people, then that can minimize the contrast quite a bit. Additionally, it is important to program a response that people in the child’s life can implement, whether they are at home, school, or a location in the community.

Sometimes, things happen, and the program/plan is not followed. That is completely ok! That’s why it is important to communicate and collaborate with the people who work or live with the child. This is necessary to maintain consistency as much as possible and give the child the opportunity to learn the skills in different environments/people.

December 8 2021

Get to Know You-BACB Edition

Within this article, individuals will learn more about the history of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, and the certifications they offer to individuals. Additionally, individuals will be introduced to Applied Behavior Analysis.

If you are in currently employed within the field of Special Education, and/or have a loved one in the field of Special Education, chances are, you have heard about Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). According to the BACB (2021), “The practice of ABA focuses on assessing the environmental influences on behavior, assessment-based intervention, and data-based decision making. ABA is best known as being the leading evidence-based treatment approach for autism and other developmental disabilities”. Within the field of ABA, there are certified practitioners. Some such include Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT’s), Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA’s) and Behavior Analysts (BCBA’s). The BACB stands for Behavior Analyst Certification Board. According to the BACB (2011), the organization was established in 1998 as a non-profit corporation and was the first national organization to certify practitioners of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). The primary responsibility of the organization is “establishes practice standards, administers examinations, and provides ethics requirements and a disciplinary system for each of its certification programs” (BACB, 2021). I encourage you to review the video found from the BACB website to learn more about the BACB in a video overview:

Each of the requirements for the practitioners the BACB offers differ. Seek the BACB guidelines if you are interested in learning more about the requirements. Always refer to the guidelines set forth on the website and reach out to members of the BACB via email. They are willing to help and answer questions.

Registered Behavior Technician

RBT

Education Requirements: High School Diploma

Receives Supervision Under: BCBA and BCaBA

Eligibility Requirements:

· 18 years old

· High school diploma

· Pass background check

· Complete 40-hour training

· Complete initial competency assessment

Link to Handout from BACB:

· https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/RBTHandbook_210915-3.pdf

Assistant Behavior Analyst

BCaBA

Education Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

Receives Supervision Under: BCBA

Eligibility Requirements:

· Degree

· Behavior Analytic Coursework

· Supervised Experience

Link to Handout from BACB:

· https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BCaBAHandbook_210915-2.pdf

Behavior Analyst

BCBA

Education Requirements: Master’s degree

Eligibility Requirements:

· Option 1: Behavior Analytic Coursework

· Option 2: Faculty Teaching and Research

· Option 3: Postdoctoral Experience

Link to Handout from BACB:

· https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BCBAHandbook_210915-2.pdf

Additionally, RBT’s and BCaBA’s are continually supervised by BCBA’s and BCBA-D professionals. If you are a Special Education teacher, taking the 40-hour training course may be a helpful tool in helping with behavior management in your classroom. The BACB has a variety of resources and tools for information to help support all individuals. I encourage everyone to explore the website and learn more about ABA.

-Your BCBA, Jenna

Reference:

BACB. (2021) About the BACB. https://www.bacb.com/