Children with autism are often associated with aggressive behavior such as physical aggression and verbal aggression including yelling, screaming, tantrums, and outbursts. These challenging behaviors can be stressful for families to deal with every day at home or at school. They can create a wide range of emotions from feelings of anger, isolation, and helplessness

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

Here are some tips as you venture into finding the right therapist for your child on the spectrum. Finding the right autism spectrum disorder (ASD) therapist or psychologist can be a daunting task for families. There are many factors you should consider when choosing a behavioral health professional to work with. There will not be

in Autism Parenting Advice by Carol Tatom, RBT

Antecedent stimulus is used frequently with children who have autism. It can help caregivers and teachers understand why a problem behavior may be happening and allows them to shape the behavior to have an either positive or negative outcome. Antecedent is also something that comes before a behavior and is sometimes referred to as a

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

Noncontingent reinforcement is a method of behavior modification that is used in applied behavior analysis (ABA) to reduce challenging behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or other developmental disabilities or differences. Noncontingent reinforcement gives continuous access to a reinforcer that is independent of a specific behavior. Noncontingent reinforcement, also known as NCR, is

in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

Here are some tips on how you, as a parent, can help your child manage his/her stimming behavior. Stimming is often associated with children on the autism spectrum, although stimming is something that neurotypical individuals will engage in as well. Stimming is also known as self-stimulatory behavior and can be characterized by repetitiveness of body

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

Have you ever wondered what life is like for a Behavior Technician? Read on to find out.  Getting to work hands-on in the local autism community as a behavior technician is a rewarding experience for me while working towards finishing my Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Child and Family Services. It

in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

An autism behavior technician can play a major role in the progress and support your child receives when implementing new behavioral changes in children with autism. A behavior technician can work in a different variety of settings that range from in-home services, in-clinic services, in-school services, and within the community, to better assist and support

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

A behavior intervention specialist, also known as BIS, helps teachers and students in a classroom by  implementing behavior intervention plans, also known as BIP, in the field of special education.   The titles of a professional behavior support specialist may change slightly due to level of education, the type of college they went to, what certification

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

Firstly, you might be asking “what is a behavior management plan?” Well, a behavior management plan or BMP is designed to help a student or child overcome or change negative behaviors into positive and more appropriate behaviors.  Also known as a behavior intervention plan (BIP), it is important for both parents of children with autism

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

Functional behavior analysis can be used in special education or in Applied Behavior Analysis, also known as ABA, to allow the observer to learn what triggers and leads to challenging behaviors. This type of intervention helps us learn the function of difficult behaviors as well as environmental factors that may impact or interfere with Behavior

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

Behavior management strategies are essentially behavior intervention plans that can be used in a variety of environments to help parents, families, schoolteachers, and friends deal with behavioral challenges. Behavioral management strategies can help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) become more self aware of their actions so they gain a better understanding of the wider

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

Trigger analysis in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) provides a way for negative or challenging behaviors to be identified and observed.  Trigger analysis can be used by parents with a child, by teachers with a student, or by anyone who wants to monitor challenging behaviors with the goal of intervention to help an individual alter his/her

in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

If you’ve heard of ABA, or applied behavioral analysis therapy, then you might have heard of the concept “antecedent interventions”. But what does it mean? Well, the aim of ABA therapy itself is to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder learn to communicate better, increase self and situational awareness, improve self regulation, and alter atypical

in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

Discrete trial training often is referred to as DTT training and sometimes DTI (discrete trial instruction) training in the field of ABA, or applied behavior analysis. The purpose of discrete trial training is to break down the steps of a task instead of trying to conquer it all at once. Some children with autism struggle

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

If you’re parenting a child with autism, you may have come across the term “discriminative stimulus” in relation to behavior therapy or techniques to use at home – but what does it really mean and how can this method be applied? This article offers an overview of discriminative stimulus and outlines some examples of how

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

Where can I find ABA therapy near me for my child with autism? If you’re a parent of a child with autism who is demonstrating challenging behavior, or who is in need of some support, you might be considering ABA Therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy). Many experts believe early intervention is important for helping children

in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

When children with autism act out and misbehave at home or in school, it can be due to a number of things going on in their lives, but it can also be due to the fact they have ASD and therefore struggle to express themselves. Sometimes a child with autism is unable to explain what

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

Parents of children with autism collectively share concerns over outbursts, aggressive behaviors, social and developmental delays, and the need for better training and understanding of autism in our communities. Having an understanding of what autism is and what it can look like can help you learn what triggers your child specifically, to help reduce tantrums

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

What is EIBI? Well, according to research, it’s an intervention that can help children with autism decrease negative behaviors and increase positive behaviors. EIBI is considered one of the best intensive behavioral interventions for toddlers aged five and below. Read on to understand what this early intervention program is and why it might be a

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

If you’re an autism parent, it’s likely you have come across the term “vicarious reinforcement”. But what does it mean? Well, reinforcement in psychology involves recognizing and rewarding good behavior to motivate such behavior to be repeated. So, vicarious reinforcement is about a person’s tendency to copy the behaviors they have witnessed others being rewarded

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Carol Tatom, RBT

If you’re the parent of a child who has recently been diagnosed with autism, ensuring he/she receives the best support is likely to be at the top of your agenda. ABA therapy, otherwise known as Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, monitors behavioral changes to identify whether a child’s social development and communication skills are progressing while

in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a popular therapy model used for changing disruptive behaviors. However, it’s been shown to be particularly effective in the treatment and care of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ABA therapy is, at its core, a method of helping children with autism learn rudimentary skills so that they can lead

in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

Are you confused about ABA? Applied behavior analysis, also known as ABA, is a type of therapy that is commonly used in children with autism to improve behaviors on a spectrum of different socially significant skills. ABA therapy can be applied to decrease individual behavioral concerns that could be negatively impacting social interactions among peers,

in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

Raising a child on the spectrum is not easy. It comes with higher demands of care and time than other children. Believe me, I know! I have four children ranging in ages from eight to 17. My youngest daughter has PDD, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, a moderate form of Autism. She is higher functioning and very

in Personal Narrative by Carol Tatom, RBT