Cara Motzkus, Author at Healing Haven

6 Ways to Build a Positive Relationship With Your Child’s Teacher

positive relationship with child's teacher

As a parent of a child with autism, you want to know your child will be cared for at school. You want to send them to a quality learning environment and for their educators to know and understand your child. In order for your child to be successful, a positive relationship with your child’s teacher is a must. And establishing that relationship can also help alleviate stress on you. (This is a foundation of who we are at Healing Haven – providing strategies for parents to help manage their stress when you’re parenting a child with special needs.)

Here are some ways to foster positive teamwork between you and your child’s teacher to ensure a good school experience for your child.

1. Communicate well

This one is intentionally listed at the top- good communication is key to any healthy relationship! It is the foundation to how the school year will play out, how you will work through concerns, and greatly influences your child’s degree of success.

When communicating, especially for the first time, address your child’s teacher by their professional title and use a friendly tone. Remember to keep communication with your child’s teacher ongoing throughout the year rather than confined to only IEP meetings and parent/teacher conferences.

2. Start communication early

If you haven’t already, now is a good time to reach out to your child’s teacher. Though the beginning of the school year is typically very hectic for teachers, they highly appreciate this. Teachers often reach out first to parents, but you proactively reaching out shows the teacher you want to be on the same team. Establishing a positive relationship early can help ease solving problems later, as previously established trust provides a common foundation. Ask any and all questions you might have for your child’s teacher to solidify expectations. This keeps you in-the-know about what will happen in the classroom. And if your child has both a general education and a special education teacher, make sure to communicate with both of them.

3. Respect and trust

A trusting relationship between parent and teacher is almost guaranteed to help the teacher better understand the child. Likewise, practicing empathy strengthens relationships. Teachers, just like you in your role as a parent, are doing their best amidst many challenges. Even though it may be hard at first, err on the side of trust with the teacher. Most teachers would not be in their job if they did not want to put their students first and work for their best. Ally with your child’s teacher on the premise that you both want what is best for your child.

4. Go to the teacher first

Another way to build a positive relationship with your child’s teacher is to communicate concerns with the teacher first. It can be off-putting to the teacher when parents skip over communicating with them and go right to the principal to address issues or concerns. If no resolution is reached with the teacher, then consider bringing your concerns to administration.

6. Show appreciation

Showing appreciation is incredibly impactful in building a positive relationship with your child’s teacher. Teachers often hear about the things they are doing wrong, which is very wearisome. Show your appreciation for your child’s teacher throughout the year in small ways, such as sending notes of encouragement and thanks. When the teacher does something you appreciate or value, tell them. Little acts of appreciation mean a lot to teachers as they manage so many pieces.

BONUS Tip: Be a participative parent

We have added this one since we first published this post, so this is our bonus seventh tip: participate in your child’s classroom activities and events, if possible! Not only does participating give you a chance to experience your child’s classroom atmosphere, it shows the teacher that you care and want to be involved. Doing this can also be a great way of meeting other parents and building a community.

A note if your child also does ABA Therapy

Another important person to be brought into this parent/teacher relationship is your child’s BCBA. As teachers become more familiar with ABA therapy and how it benefits their students with autism, introducing them to your child’s BCBA can lead to a collaborative relationship between school and ABA.

Some of our BCBAs attend their client’s IEP meetings. They are another expert voice that can help ensure the proper supports are in place at school so your child can be as successful as possible. BCBAs may also share with a client’s teacher strategies they use in the clinic. By bringing together all professionals working with your child, you can help create a more cohesive learning and therapy experience for your child.

All in all, cooperation between yourself and your child’s teacher not only benefits your child, but can also benefit you in reducing the potential stress of school, IEPs and supports. Remember that teachers want the best for their students and you want the best for your child. Unite on this premise and your child is likely to thrive!

The Transition to Summer for Kids with Autism

5 Tips for a Fun-Packed Summer for Kids on the Spectrum

As summer break approaches, it’s normal to feel anxious about the transition to summer for your child with autism. You may wonder how your child might handle and adjust to schedule changes, barbeques, fireworks, large gatherings, and all the other eventful things summer brings. To ease some of the anxiety, we compiled five tips and tricks to consider using in the transition to summer for kids with autism.  

1. Create a Schedule

Some kids with autism hold rigidly to schedules and plans. It is helpful to be aware of any potential triggers when it comes to plans, such as things happening suddenly and surprisingly. To avoid this and ease your child’s mind, create a summer schedule to review with them. Visual schedules are a fantastic way to keep your child informed of new routines. Let them know that things might change with this new season and that change is ok. Communicate to your child any change of plans as soon as possible to avoid catching them off-guard.

2. Prepare Ahead of Time

Just like with any change, it is important to maintain a routine for your child when summer rolls around. Think through what could cause frustrations in your child with certain changes and activities. One idea is to introduce novel places and activities to your child ahead of time. For example, if they’re starting swimming lessons, take them to the pool before their first lesson for some exposure to the environment and to meet their instructor, if possible. Or if your child is starting a day camp, familiarize them by visiting the site and talking with some of their leaders. Tell your child what to expect so they won’t be blindsided by these new experiences.

Another good way to prepare ahead of time is by looking into sensory-friendly options for some activities and places, such as the museum or theatre. Planning to go to places at non-peak hours is also a good practice for sensory-sensitive children.

3. Set Expectations and Rewards

Keep your child updated on where you are going, when you are going there and what will take place. Utilizing timers is a wonderful way to remind your child when things will happen, such as leaving the house for an event. For example, if you set the timer for 10 minutes, your child will know that when it goes off it’s time to leave.

Another way to help kids with autism adjust to summer changes is to set rewards. Ask your child what they prefer to “work” for and use reinforcers or surprise them with a treat or activity after they handle an event well. Preferred items or activities will keep them motivated to demonstrate positive behavior.

4. Coping with Loud Events

With summer comes celebratory holidays, such as the 4th of July and Juneteenth, and events like concerts and fairs. Fireworks and large crowds often accompany these events, which can be overwhelming for kids with autism. Prepare your child as much as possible before the event. Perhaps show them a video of a firework show or concert beforehand to get a sense of how your child might react. To be prepared, bring noise cancelling headphones and sunglasses in the event your child becomes overstimulated. “Distractors,” such preferred activities, fidgets, or items that comfort them are also great to have on hand.

5. Go Slow

You don’t need to introduce change all at once. Talk with your child about some exciting activities planned for the summer to paint the coming change in a positive light. Explain that things might be different from how they’ve been throughout the school year.  

Practice adding in change in small ways, such as asking your child to stop a preferred activity and move to a different preferred activity. With this model, you can have them gradually move to non-preferred activities to increase their compliance with change. For example, if your child is playing with their toys, say “You have two minutes left of play time and then we’re going to play a game/watch a video.” Give lots of praise when your child copes well, and focus on the effort rather than the outcome (i.e., “I love how you put your toys down right away when I asked you to. Great listening!”)  

The transition to summer for kids with autism may sound stressful, but with some planning ahead of time, you can help your child thrive.  And as always, remember to stay safe, particularly when outdoors or near water. Here’s to a relaxing, adventurous, and safe summer! 

The Benefits of Organized Space For Individuals With Autism

Have you ever tried working in a cluttered area? Or been distracted by noises or lighting while trying to focus? Most of us would not feel very successful if we were attempting to be productive in such an environment. For individuals with autism, distracting, messy work and play spaces can only magnify the struggle of focus when gaining new skills. Whether it’s your home or your child’s play area, keeping an organized space for individuals with autism reaps many benefits.

Why Organized Spaces for Individuals with Autism

A clean environment is an important element to the success of individuals with autism. In fact, it influenced the design of our clinics. Our Executive Director Jamie McGillivary intentionally chose the colors of the walls, the use of natural light and artificial natural light, simple layout and organized spaces. And these principles can carry over into the home environment too.

Less Distraction

Many individuals on the autism spectrum experience excessive sensory input. Consequently, distraction is common. Too much unnecessary clutter and detail can derail a child’s focus. Even minor messes that may be easy for a neurotypical child to ignore could cause attention issues for those on the spectrum. Minimizing unhelpful sensory experiences aids in their ability to focus for individuals with autism.

Specifically, consider visual and auditory senses when designing a distraction-free space:

Visual

Keep walls simple in decoration to prevent overwhelm. Many kids with ASD notice minute details in the area around them. Tucking away supplies and toys in bins or cabinets out of sight reduces temptation to interact with them while also reducing distractions. For colors, utilize solid, soft tones such as green, blue and pink and avoid yellow as it can be overstimulating.

Auditory

Sensitivity to noise is a common symptom for kids with ASD. While neurotypical children may function easily with sounds considered background noise, those sounds may be incredibly distracting for children on the spectrum. Keep your child’s space as free as possible from traffic noises, humming machines, loud ticking clocks, and other potential “noise clutter.”

Enhances Organizational Skills

Organizational tasks that we deem simple may require more effort and practice for individuals with autism. A clean work environment promotes organization and productivity, which in turn helps a child acquire new skills. Designating organized areas helps individuals with autism predict what will take place in their workspace. Labeling areas such as drawers and cupboards can help kids practice putting their supplies and toys away when finished. This also helps reduce long-term clutter and ensures smoother transitions to new activities. Color coding is another fantastic way to make organizing easier for kids on the spectrum, as different colors represent different purposes for an area.

Reinforces Routine and Expectations

Organization helps an individual’s success and independence in following instructions. If a space is cluttered and messy, they will likely get more confused when trying to learn skills and complete routine tasks. According to research, organized and structured learning spaces aid kids in staying on-task and performing well academically. Structure helps you as a parent as well, as it can reduce the need for your assistance.

If you believe your child could benefit from some decluttering and organization at home, here are a few ideas to get started with over the summer. And remember, you don’t have to try all of these things at once!

Organize toys, art supplies, school materials, etc. into labeled areas and bins
Paint your child’s room a new, calming color
Tackle one room at a time and identify items you can remove or put away for a simplified and, hopefully, less stressful setting.

These ideas may not only benefit you, but your whole family may begin to feel some stress lift as a result of creating organized spaces for your child with autism.

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Why Consider a Job in ABA Therapy

If you are looking for a stable career that is more than just clocking in and out, jobs in ABA Therapy are plentiful and worth considering.

This field we work in – behavioral health and autism therapy – provides critical support for children and teens with autism, and their families. The demand for our services continues to grow rapidly. As a result, we continue to hire for our ABA Therapist position. This role works one-on-one with the children coming to us for support.

So how does ABA therapy work and what do ABA Therapists do? You may be wondering if this position is the right fit for you. So, let’s break down the aspects of our ABA Therapist position so you can gain a better understanding.

What do jobs in ABA Therapy look like?

An ABA Therapist works one-on-one with an individual with autism providing Applied Behavior Analysis therapy. ABA therapy focuses on improving communication, increasing age-appropriate social skills, improving independent daily living skills, and decreasing problematic behaviors while teaching functional replacement behaviors through reinforcement. ABA therapy is high in demand, evidence-based and the most recommended therapy for autism spectrum disorder.

At Healing Haven, we receive constant requests from families for our therapy services. Due to this, we are regularly looking for flexible, patient and energetic individuals for our ABA therapist position. Our staff come from all types of educational and career backgrounds. Many begin working here as an ABA therapist before moving on to other roles, some pursue education and certification to become BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), Occupational and Speech Therapists, or careers in psychology, education, and more. Others have moved onto other positions within the company such as Human Resources, Recruiting, Insurance/Billing, and Training. You never know where a job in ABA therapy could lead!

So why pursue a job in ABA therapy? Here are several reasons among many that make the ABA Therapist position a fantastic choice.

Teaching Through Play

Working with kids means lots of play and fun. An ABA therapist weaves in learning through naturalistic teaching strategies. These include games, creative crafts, music, and engaging in free play with the client. Not a bad way to “work!”

A Supportive Work Environment

A large part of ABA is either rewarding or ignoring behavior. ABA therapists are trained to observe behavior, record data, and follow behavior protocol as opposed to reacting to occurrences. This creates a reinforcing environment for the child as well as for the staff, promoting healthy teamwork. In addition, BCBAs closely supervise so you feel supported and comfortable working with your client.

“The culture at Healing Haven is awesome. Everyone works so hard for the kids and they support each other through everything. The work we do is not easy so it is nice to have a place that feels comfortable and supportive!” – Current ABA therapist

Dynamic Days

In ABA therapy, each day is different, allowing for a dynamic workday. Your client’s mood and needs shift from day to day which changes up your work with them. Clients make progress on individualized goals and programs so there is regular growth. This leads to new goals and skills to work on.

Rewarding Impact

Perhaps the best part of being an ABA therapist is seeing your client progress. You form a connection with one child at a time, learn them well, cheer them on and see them grow each day. In an ABA therapist job, you develop a trusting relationship with not only the client but also their family. It is incredibly fulfilling to know that your work positively impacts more than one individual.

Registered Behavior Technician working with a child

“My favorite part about working at Healing Haven is the kids I’ve worked with. I get beyond excited to see them when I come into work.” – Current ABA Therapist

Training

We provide thorough training for our new ABA therapists. Our Training team will fully equip you so you are confident and ready to begin working one-on-one with a client. Training is a minimum of 80 hours and includes:

In-person instruction module teaching
In-person shadowing at the clinic
Completing online modules for the Registered Behavior Technician® certification

Once hired, you will spend a couple weeks shadowing another ABA therapist and their client. During this time, you will gradually take on responsibilities from the ABA therapist until you are able to independently run the client’s whole session. This period of training is very important as it establishes a relationship between the therapist and the client so the client will respond positively to what their therapist asks of them. We also provide Crisis Prevention Training through QBS to all ABA Therapists once they get comfortable in their role.

Healing Haven also requires each ABA therapist to receive their Registered Behavior Technician certification. This ensures our staff are fully qualified to provide the best services for clients. After completing 40 hours of online training modules, you will take the RBT exam (Healing Haven pays for this.) Upon passing the exam, you become an RBT and may begin to track supervision hours with your BCBA. For more info on this, visit the Behavior Analyst Certification Board website.

Have you gained a better understanding of what jobs in ABA therapy are and where they can lead? If you want to join an in-demand field at a growing company, while making an impact on a child’s life, we encourage you to apply! Get more information and appl y here.

Apply today to become an ABA Therapist

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Applying and Interviewing at Healing Haven: What to Expect

Applying and interviewing for jobs often involves a lot of unknown and nerves. As we continue to hire to meet the demand for our therapy services, read some helpful info on our hiring process.

Applying at Healing Haven

Applying at Healing Haven is incredibly easy. Simply fill out the form on our Careers page and a recruiter will contact you!

For the ABA Therapist position at Healing Haven, we look for candidates who meet the following qualifications:

Experience with children or teens—not required, only preferred. Maybe you’re a parent, or grew up with siblings and cousins. That counts as experience with kids! It’s a bonus if you’ve worked with kids with special needs as well. But again, not required.
Friendly, positive attitude
Strong communication and listening skills
Flexibility with change
Reliable / Dependable
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Patience
A passion to work with children

Everything else can be taught!

“There is not a single moment in these buildings where I do not feel like I am supported, and there is always a team member providing help.” -Aaron, ABA therapist

Interviewing at Healing Haven

Interviewing at Healing Haven starts with a phone call with one of our Recruiters. This initial interview serves as a two-way meeting to learn as much as we can about you. Additionally, you’ll learn about our company culture and day-to-day operations.

During the interview, we review the history of our company and provide an overview of the programs offered. The goal of this is to give you a well-rounded understanding of the ABA Therapist’s role and how each department contributes to the client’s progress. Our recruiters review both the highlights and challenges of the position to help you understand what the role is like. This process helps identify if someone will truly be a good fit for the position.

If both parties show interest in moving forward, we schedule an in-person tour of the facility within days of the initial meeting. During the tour, you’ll see how a typical day runs during our hours of operation and observes the one-on-one interactions between the clients and ABA Therapists. Our Recruiters are looking for interactions initiated, observations made, and questions asked by you during this meeting. You’ll also observe a few ABA sessions as well as Speech or Occupational therapy sessions.

Finally, prior to a position offer, you need to provide two professional references and must complete a background check.

I admire the clinic’s emphasis on a more naturalist approach to teaching ABA, and I believe that we try our best to create a fun, engaging and safe environment for our children. – Halee, ABA Therapist

Our Advice for Interviewing

For the Interview:

Plan enough time to allow for traffic and finding the correct building for your interview so you arrive on time.
Turn off your phone to eliminate possible distractions during the interview.
Conduct yourself in a friendly and professional manner
Prepare by reading over the company website to understand the organization and the position for which you are applying
Show your interest by preparing clarifying questions
Be honest and clear about your expectations! Our recruiters want to make sure this is a good fit on both sides. If you are uncomfortable with one or more of the requirements discussed, it’s important to identify them early on to be sure this is the best fit for you!

For the In-person Tour:

Ask questions or make observations that show your interest
Take the time to say hello to staff and clients when possible
Show interest in the observed client’s activities – If a client asks you to throw a ball or clap for them when they get something right, show you are willing to have fun and get involved!

“One of my favorite things about being an RBT is seeing the progress that the kids I work with make. This position is extremely rewarding, and I truly love seeing how much these children can grow. I also love seeing the intelligence from every one of them.” –Melissa, ABA Therapist

Job Training at Healing Haven

Our hands-on, in-person training process for the ABA Therapist position lasts roughly 2-3 weeks, depending on how quickly the new employee picks up on the material learned. We mostly hire applicants without experience, so the training process is very gradual easing them in. During the first few days as a new hire, you will observe a session with an experienced RBT and a client. You’ll see how a typical day is run and acclimate to the new environment.

The next step is a process called “pairing” where you start positively connecting with a client, building rapport and instructional control. Once you and the client have begun building a relationship, you’ll start running goals with support from trainers until the trainer fades themselves out of the session completely.

child with ABA Therapist at Healing Haven

In addition to the hands-on training, new employees complete a 40-hour online RBT training to become certified as a Registered Behavior Technician®. Healing Haven helps certify all new employees as RBTs within their first few months of employment.

There is so much to learn in the field of ABA – there is no way to learn it all in two to three weeks! During their first 90 days, new staff receive ongoing training and heavy support from the training department. It is important that you feel both confident in the skills you teach and comfortable asking questions along the way.

“When you get to witness the kiddos reach new milestones and you know that you helped contribute to that, it is a feeling that you won’t find in your ordinary work place.” -Akerria, ABA Therapist

child painting with Healing Haven ABA Therapist

Looks like you’ve made it this far, so you’re probably intrigued in applying and interviewing at Healing Haven! If so, you can learn more about us and easily apply in just minutes. We’re looking forward to meeting you and hope you will be part of our team.

We are also hosting an onsite Hiring Event Friday, April 28, 2023 from 10 AM – 6 PM. Learn more and schedule your interview here.

Hiring Event

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Great Gift Ideas for Autistic Children

With holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to scheme gift ideas! But finding useful and entertaining gifts for kids with autism can be tricky. For the past few years, we’ve compiled lists of gift ideas for autistic children. These categorized suggestions come from experts at our clinics as well as popular preferences from our clients.

A few things to note: Remember to consider the child’s interests and developmental stage. If they love a certain character or sport for example, find something that includes that. Or if they are intrigued by a certain sensory experience, such as fluffy or smooth items, gift from those categories. Their developmental stage also might not match age-appropriate toys and activities, so keep in mind what they might enjoy based on their abilities and interests.

Here is your 2021 gift guide with great gift ideas for an autistic child (or teen)!

Gifts that encourage movement

Many kids with autism often need to incorporate lots of movement into their day to counteract sensory issues. Try an anti-burst peanut exercise ball for core strength development and calming deep pressure, or a balance board for balance and coordination.

Additionally, according to one of our Occupational Therapists, jumping is an excellent way for kids to get sensory input. She suggests a monkey jump, where small children can engage in a game of Five Little Monkeys. A mini trampoline is another fantastic go-to option for kids who need to get energy out.

Sensory gift ideas

Water beads are a huge favorite of our clients. After expanding in water, put them in a bin and let kids run their hands through them for some mesmerizing sensory fun.

Sometimes a child with autism finds solace with alone time. Make a peaceful haven in a tent that you can fill with pillows, stuffed animals, or any other objects that help your child experience calm.

Poke-A-Dot books offer interactive sensory input while enjoying a story. Children can pop the dots on each page, which is a great opportunity for fine motor skills.

If your child often gets overstimulated and likes body pressure, try a weighted vest, blanket, or neck wrap. The added weight can aid in focus and help kids feel safe and secure.

Toys that support fine motor skills

Kinetic sand is a perfect gift for kids that like to squish, mold, and create—another favorite of our clients. As opposed to real sand, kinetic sand prevents big messes as it sticks together. Scoop into molds or build little creatures and sandcastles for fine motor practice.

Do you have a child who loves taking things apart and putting back together? Check out this take-apart car, complete with a drill. Our OTs utilize these cars during sessions to encourage fine motor skills. The car can also go for a drive when construction is completed, offering an enticing reward at the end of a task.

Do.A.Dot markers help kids work on fine motor skills through learning to hold and control something in their hand. With a sponge tip applicator, they are also mess-free! These markers are a great option for quick art projects.

Gifts for tweens and teens

Many of these gifts work for younger children, but may not satisfy needs of older kids and teens with autism. Finding gifts for teens can be difficult, but we suggest fidget-friendly items than can ease stress. As kids get older, they need to concentrate longer on tasks. Gifting a fidget spinner, a Kinekt gear ring, or finger fidget pencils can therapeutically relieve extra energy and stress when trying to focus.

Stocking stuffers

Try these smaller items to stick in a stocking. “Pop-its” are all the rage right now, for both neurotypical and autistic children—we see many around our clinics! Therapy putty often comes in a small container for easy transport to pull out and squish when needed. Our clients also enjoy stretchy tubes that pop and bend. For kiddos who like to mouth items, try packs of fun-shaped chewies such as these shark teeth. An anti-stress toy like this cool fidget or a liquid timer can simultaneously entertain and ease sensory induced anxiety.

Gift ideas to treat parents

If you’re planning to give to a child with autism, it’s a nice gesture to gift their parents as well. Parents of kids with special needs often endure a lot of stress. Self-care and fun experiences are excellent options, such as a manicure/pedicure, a massage, restaurant gift cards, or movie gift certificates. A relaxing night out is often a wonderful gift for parents, given all they balance!

We hope we’ve helped take some of the stress out of your holiday shopping this year with these great gift ideas for autistic children. For even more gift suggestions, be sure to visit our previous guides from 2018, 2019, and 2020.

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Toilet Training Tips for Kids With Autism

Toilet training is a fundamental skill to teach all kids. But it can be a tricky skill for children with autism to master. Some parents may find toilet training a smooth process, while others find it a huge battle. Many parents try to start the process and feel discouraged, then decide to take a break. Wherever you are in your child’s journey to using the toilet independently, know that success is definitely possible.

Is Your Child Ready for Toilet Training?

The first step in helping your child with autism use the toilet? Determine if they’re ready. Our Director of Clinical Standards, Dr. Jennifer Thomas, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, suggests a list of pre-requisites to consider before starting the toilet training process.

Can your child…

sit on the toilet or potty chair for a few minutes?
pull pants up or down?
hold urine for at least 30 minutes?
imitate skills such as sitting and wiping?
find the bathroom or potty chair in the house?

Your child doesn’t need to be proficient in each of these steps all at once to start toilet training. However, keep in mind that the process will be easier and more successful if your child can complete most steps first. If your child struggles with fine motor strength and control, consider occupational therapy (OT). OT can help with skills such as pulling pants up and down, wiping, etc. Additionally, there should be minimal behaviors occurring with bathroom use. If behaviors arise often, be sure to address them prior to starting the toilet training process.

Reinforcement and Encouragement

It’s important to utilize reinforcement and encouragement when working on toilet training your child with autism. You can reinforce their success in using the toilet in a variety of ways, including:

Food, such as candy or a small treat
A sticker chart
A highly preferred activity such as tablet time, a game or favorite toy

Along with reinforcers, use lots of verbal encouragement. Make sure it’s specific and descriptive: “I love how you asked to go to the potty.” Or “You did an amazing job sitting on the toilet for x amount of time!” etc.

Barriers to Toilet Training

Toilet training kids with autism can definitely have its setbacks. You might encounter challenging behaviors from your child, such as fear of using the toilet, refusing to use it, misusing toilet paper or other materials, or tantrums when encouraged to use the toilet.

Some children with autism might be hesitant to use the toilet due to sensory issues. If this is the case for your child, identify the sensory issue. It could be that the toilet seat is uncomfortable, they may feel cold, or feel afraid of the loud flushing sound. Perhaps utilize a toilet seat and let your child hold a stuffed animal or toy while sitting to help them feel safe and comforted.

Another barrier to toilet training is constipation. Kids with autism can be prone to constipation due to selective eating. If you notice your child struggling to void with bowel movements, consult your pediatrician.

General Tips for Toilet Training Kids with Autism

Take toilet training one step at a time! While many parents are eager for their child to gain independence in the bathroom, try not to rush through the process.
Have your child use pull ups or underwear as they transition from diapers.
Use visuals in the bathroom such as a step-by-step laminated sheet with photos to help your child remember the toilet use process.
When starting toilet training, plan a time to be at home with your child (Ideally, a week).
Take data. You could create a chart, take notes in a notebook, or find a data sheet that works for you through an online search. For each toilet session, list the date, time, accident, success, location, and any independent request.
Make the experience fun and rewarding! Ensure your child is comfortable on the toilet by having them pick out a preferred toilet seat. Keep toys and books in the bathroom and even play music. The more enjoyable the experience is for your child, the more likely they will pick up skills and move towards independence.

If your child receives ABA therapy, check in with your child’s BCBA. They can give suggestions specific to your child as well as general support throughout toilet training.

Toilet training, though necessary, is a huge task to undertake as a parent. While it can be discouraging at times, remember to celebrate the successes. And with encouragement and consistent reinforcement, your child will learn in his or her own time.

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Building Skills For Your Autistic Teen’s Future

ABA therapy programs often focus on younger children through establishing communication and social skills, as well as managing behavior. While early intervention is incredibly important for young kids with autism, not many ABA providers serve tweens and teens with autism. However, it’s critical to provide environments where teens with autism can build skills for their future. Moreover, so many individuals with autism are often underestimated in professional and social settings when in fact, they have amazing gifts that positively impact companies and our world.

As a result, we at Healing Haven believe in teaching our middle and high school age clients valuable life skills. We want to empower them to contribute to society and share all they have to offer. To do this, we’ve re-launched some foundational skill-building programs in our Life Skills clinic and are expanding on new opportunities.

Life Skills Clinic Programs

Café and Grocery Store

Before the pandemic, we operated an internal Café where our clients learned how to bake cookies and brownies and make coffee. The program involved learning how to take orders from parents and staff, operate a cash register, practicing taking money and making change. This program was paused over the past two years, and we are excited to bring it back.

In addition to the Café return, we are creating a mock grocery store, coming later in the summer. Some clients will have the chance to operate the cash register to practice job skills. Other clients might use the grocery store to learn how to independently shop for groceries. After practicing paying for their groceries, clients can make a tasty treat by following a recipe in the Life Skills kitchen. To further acquire social and vocational skills, clients can also serve the treats to peers, staff and parents at the Café.

Motor Room

Our Motor Room will feature crafting projects, such as building different toys from scratch or by following instructions from a kit. Clients will have the opportunity to create bird houses, garden boxes and more. We plan to eventually establish a room where the items made in the Motor Room can be jazzed up through painting and decorating.

Computer Lab

We are creating a computer lab where teens with autism can learn technology skills. They’ll practice checking and writing emails, creating documents and slideshows, entering data into Excel, etc.

We also want our clients to have an active role in stock management of building and grocery store materials. Computer use comes in handy for this as well!

Gardening Room

In the Gardening Room, clients can practice planting, arranging, and caring for their own flowers and vegetables. We will expand our current outdoor garden as well.

Classroom

Another feature of our Life Skills clinic is our Classroom. It’s set up like a school classroom with desks, a whiteboard, and a smart board. Clients socialize and interact with their peers and learn to take instructions from the group leader. The group leader plans and implements activities for the clients that incorporate social and living skills. It’s a blast in the Classroom! Teens and tweens participate in chat time, games to practice turn taking, crafts to work on following instructions, and even karaoke as a self-expression and performance opportunity. The Classroom serves as a place for teens with autism to practice the skills they need in school, jobs, and life altogether.

We are beyond excited to re-open these Life Skills building programs and continue to develop new ones. It’s incredible to watch our older kids thrive in an environment that helps set them up for success. And if you are interested in your teen or tween receiving therapy services, please reach out to us here.

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What Is Chaining in ABA Therapy?

Have you ever felt overwhelmed learning something that requires multiple steps? Maybe it’s taken you multiple tries to learn how to change a flat tire. Or maybe you still need to follow all the steps to make your grandma’s Thanksgiving gravy recipe, while she knows it by heart. In short, it’s hard to master multi-step processes all at once.

For a child with autism, even daily tasks we deem as second-nature may take a lot of work to learn. Not to mention, it can be hard for you as the parent to teach your child these everyday functions. Perhaps you want to teach your child more independence. This is why breaking down complex tasks into steps can be incredibly helpful. In ABA therapy, we call this “chaining.”

The process of chaining provides a smooth path for learning multi-step tasks. But chaining isn’t just meant for ABA therapy. Parents like you, as well as teachers or any other caregivers, find chaining effective in helping kids acquire daily skills.

What is chaining?

Chaining is the active process of stringing together a series of skills in time. When we consider how to teach a skill, the first step is to look at how it can be broken down into smaller components. This is called a task analysis. The components are then linked or “chained” together in a particular order. Research proves chaining is highly efficient for children learning multi-step tasks.

Breaking down tasks, can make learning more rewarding and easy for children with autism. For example, when brushing your teeth, you need to put toothpaste on the toothbrush. But a child with autism might need specific details on how to do that step, such as “Take cap off of toothpaste and squeeze on toothbrush.”

For example, here is a step-by-step task analysis for brushing teeth to be linked through chaining:

Take cap off toothpaste.
Squeeze toothpaste onto toothbrush.
Turn on water and get toothbrush wet.
Brush top teeth.
Brush bottom teeth.
Spit into sink.
Sip water and rinse mouth.
Spit water into sink.
Put away toothbrush and toothpaste.

Types of chaining in ABA therapy

Forward

Forward chaining in ABA therapy teaches behavior in chronological order. Each step is reinforced one at a time until that step is mastered.

For example, when teaching a child to dress themselves, start with the step, “Put on underwear,” or whichever piece of clothing goes on first. Praise the child for their effort, even if it takes them a while or it’s a struggle. Then assist them with all the following steps and identify each of them (“Now we’re going to put on pants/shirt/shoes”). Once they have mastered putting on underwear independently, focus on high praise for the next step until mastered and so on until the child can perform each step without assistance.

Backward

Backward chaining is the opposite of forward chaining. Instead of reinforcing the child for the first step completed independently, a caregiver reinforces the very last step.

In the same example of a child getting dressed, the caregiver helps the child put on underwear, pants, shirt, and socks. The final step is putting on shoes. When the child can get their shoes on independently, give them lots of praise just as in forward chaining. Once shoes are mastered, work on socks, and so on backwards through the task analysis. Teaching in a backwards order ensures you always end the task on a positive.

Visuals for Task Analysis and Chaining

Visual aids are helpful for chaining and following task analysis. They’re a reference for kids to use as they work on mastering skills. If you went into the bathroom in our clinics, you’d see laminated task analysis visuals for brushing teeth and washing hands posted on the mirrors in the bathroom that look like this:

You can create your own colorful, fun visuals such as this one to motivate your child!

In conclusion, chaining in ABA therapy helps both children and caregivers by establishing the child’s independence in daily tasks. Chaining can be used in a child’s ABA program, but also at home, school, or any other place they might spend time. Be sure to reach out to your child’s BCBA if you need help creating a visual or need modeling on how to incorporate chaining into your child’s daily routines.

Click here for more information on our ABA therapy programs.

Eating Issues and Autism: 5 Tips to Help

Parents of children with autism know eating issues all too well. From mealtime tantrums to picky food preferences, dealing with the eating issues that come with ASD can be a major stressor. However, rest assured that these issues can be addressed by seeking support, establishing routine, and lots of patience.

Food selectivity

Children with autism often have selective food preferences. According to our Director of Clinical Standards, Jennifer Thomas, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, these preferences can occur due to learning, tactile, and/or olfactory sensitivities. Children might prefer soft foods like yogurt or soup, or crunchy textures like snack crackers. Another common preference of children on the spectrum are foods with high starch and sugar content such as snack foods. “Sometimes, the way a food tastes or feels in the mouth, or the way it smells is aversive to kids and therefore physically challenging to try new things,” Dr. Thomas explains.

Not eating enough

Sitting through a meal and finishing food can be a challenge for kids with autism. As a result, kids may not receive the calories and nutrients they need to maintain health. Chronic malnutrition can lead to physical, emotional and cognitive decline.

Inflexibility in trying new foods

Autistic children may avoid entire food groups such as fruits and vegetables. When parents attempt to introduce non-preferred foods, challenging behaviors often occur. This can make mealtimes difficult for the whole family and eating out undesirable.

From these eating issues come behavioral and health issues such as:

Challenging behaviors

Parents often experience behaviors at mealtimes, such as their child consistently getting up from the table, crying, or throwing food or utensils.

Nutrient deficiencies

Lack of nutrients can cause several health issues, such as difficulties in cognition, iron deficiency, constricted physical growth, and an increased probability of obesity and heart disease. Dr. Thomas also points out that kids are more likely to get sick and take longer to recover because the immune system isn’t as strong without nutrients.

GI issues such as constipation

The struggle to help your child eat well is hard enough. In addition, parents may try to accommodate to their child’s eating issues, such as packing preferred food during restaurant outings or gatherings. Accommodating to eating issues may cause increased stress and relationship strain in parents.

Parents often find it easier to simply give their child preferred foods rather than battling behaviors to change eating habits. But it’s important to know that the longer these issues become ingrained the harder they are to address in the long term.

5 Tips to Address Eating Issues

1. Make mealtimes routine

Kids with autism often thrive with routine. Help them know what to expect by serving meals at the same daily time. You could give your child reminders 30 minutes to 5 minutes before meals to prepare for the transition. It’s great to involve your child in meal preparation, such as having them set the table or help cook if they enjoy it. Give your child choices during mealtimes by letting them select a food to serve or choose where they sit at the table.

2. Keep introducing non-preferred foods

Continue to offer non-preferred foods in small amounts. It’s tempting to simply remove them altogether in order to avoid behaviors. But it’s important to continually give your child opportunities to try the new foods. Shape behaviors by starting small. For example, have your child try one grape or half a carrot. Give lots of praise for their effort of trying and remember it’s ok if they don’t like it right away. “It’s also okay if they don’t eat the new food right away,” Dr. Thomas adds. “Even if they touch the food, or smell it, it’s a step closer to the goal. It’s important to be gentle about the process so food avoidance doesn’t increase.” For example, the novel food can be placed on a separate plate near your child throughout the meal, though they do not need to eat it. Having a special reward for trying something new, or even just tolerating something new nearby, can help move things along faster.

3. Keep reasonable expectations for mealtime

Changing behaviors and your child’s food preferences will take time and patience. Try not to expect big changes all at once. In the meantime, model your expectations for your child. Perhaps you’d like them to sit at the table for a minimum length of time and gradually increase that time. Keep phones and toys away from the table to demonstrate focus at mealtimes. Ignore non-desired behaviors as long as they are safe.

4. Give LOTS of specific praise!

Praise your child consistently for anything they are doing (or not doing) to increase desired behavior. Give specific praise such as “I love how you are sitting so calmly at the table,” “Way to go trying that bite of food!”, or “I’m proud of you for eating those two more bites.” There is most likely always something for which to praise your child!

5. Consult your child’s pediatrician

Eating issues and autism aren’t always preference based. Medical issues are often a culprit, such as acid reflux or allergies. Be sure to consult your child’s pediatrician if you suspect health issues.

Though navigating eating issues in children with autism can be tricky, you are not alone in the journey. And it doesn’t have to be so difficult—the trajectory can change! Seek out resources and support for not only your child but for yourself as well.

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