Articles that focus on changing behavior (used to be called behavior modification) using positive reinforcement; applied behavior analysis is a teaching method used to help children with autism learn to their full potential.
His life was a routine. His life was a schedule. His life was steps. His day-to-day life was chronological. We evolve into the militant enforcers of a strict routine, a strict schedule, the strict followers of chronological order, and we do not delve from that line. Yet, in the physics of constant movement, in the physics […]
Continue reading
People like to be rewarded for a job well done. Rewards can be as simple as a parent praising a child for picking up toys or as significant as getting a promotion after years of dedication and hard work. This reinforcement, known as a part of operant conditioning, helps an individual make an association between […]
Continue reading
What constitutes forgiveness and the best pathway to achieving it is one of the most debated topics around. Some argue that in order to forgive, one must forget past transgressions and “take the high road” or “be the bigger person.” Others claim that forgiveness sets you free. What does all this mean and which philosophy […]
Continue reading
What is depression? Psychiatry.org defines depression as a medical illness that causes “feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.” People with autism, particularly teens and adults, are prone to depression. At this stage of their lives, autistic teens and adults have more social experiences. As a result, they can go […]
Continue reading
Over the years as a behavior analyst, I have been able to work with a varying number of parents and caregivers who have son or daughters diagnosed with developmental disabilities. During these interactions, it has become prevalent that strategies that have been recommended by helping professionals to reduce challenging behaviors are tough to remember and […]
Continue reading
When not fully understood, applied behavior analysis (ABA) may seem like an overwhelming treatment option for children diagnosed with autism. Many people are unsure what ABA is, what it can do and why it is used. Simply put, ABA is a science that uses reinforcement strategies to increase or decrease socially significant behavior. Based on […]
Continue reading
What is a weighted vest? A weighted vest is a garment worn over clothing with extra weight added within the vest. This is done either by using heavy fabric or filling the vest’s pockets with weighted objects such as steel bars or sandbags. It is designed to add between five to ten percent of a […]
Continue reading
What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad term used to describe a grouping of neurodevelopmental disorders. It can often affect a person’s way of interacting with others. People with autism often experience the world differently than their neurotypical peers. While the term autism covers a broad spectrum of symptoms, it is typically […]
Continue reading
Learning that your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be very difficult for family members. One of the most important things to remember is that your child is still the same child that he/she was prior to the diagnosis. As you learn about ASD and begin to use resources and find […]
Continue reading
We all want to understand why our children behave the way they do. Sometimes we wish to encourage alternative behavior—other times we hope to encourage more of the same behavior. For example, a mother may wish for her child to desist from throwing tantrums in public places. Another mother may be so delighted to hear […]
Continue reading