Local Behavioral Therapy Center Helps Special Needs Children Go Back to School

Tampa, FL, August 12, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Parents always want to ease the burden of their child by making the transition to a new school year as easy as possible, therefore, Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay (BCOTB) provides 7 essential tips for parents with children diagnosed with Autism, ADHD or other developmental disorders. Here is how parents can help a child diagnosed with a developmental disorder feel at ease as they embark on a new academic adventure:

1. Become Your Child’s “Parent Advocate.”
It is critically important to understand the challenges your child may face and the resources available. Know the teachers, the treatment team, and the law.

2. Put an Interdisciplinary “Treatment Team” in Place.
Before school starts, connect with your ABA Therapist, physician and nutritionist to plan for the upcoming year. Have them evaluate your child’s learning style, neurological functioning, strengths and limitations. If possible, select teachers which play to your child’s strengths. Also, talk to your providers about proper nutrition.

3. Develop a Schedule, and Strive for Consistency and Structure.
A week or two before school starts, re-adjust bed and wake-up time for your child. With young elementary school aged children, eliminate the fear of the unknown by introducing them to their new school, teacher and bus schedule before the first day. Allow your child to get comfortable with the new supplies, organizational and/or attention training systems they will be using this year.

4. Make Meaningful Behavioral Changes.
Children with Autism, ADHD or other developmental disorders are sometimes impulsive and may seek immediate gratification. They tend to do best when given more immediate and frequent feedback. You might also consider using incentives before punishment, and striving for consistency. Although, it may be difficult at times, try not to personalize your child’s problems or disorder.

5. Be Positive.
Your child’s biggest obstacle may be his or her inner thoughts rather than what is reality. Beliefs determine behaviors. If your child approaches the new school year with the fear that they are about to live out their worst nightmare, it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Be wise, be optimistic, & loving. Let your child know that whatever the school year may hold, “we will get through it together no matter what.” Also, discover and teach them about some of the many extremely successful adults diagnosed with Autism, ADHD or other developmental disorders.

6. Celebrate Every Success.
Children will hear plenty about their flaws and their failures…so make sure you celebrate their successes, even small ones.

7. Last, But Not Least of All, Take Care of Yourself.
Parents of a special needs child should always keep this in mind. It is important for them to remember to take “me time” to pursue a hobby or some other personal passion.

Remember, if parents follow these 7 steps it will likely be smooth sailing in to the new school year. Parents and children should also keep in mind a new school year means great opportunities for everyone to learn and grow.

About Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay (BCOTB)
Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay implements Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with an emphasis on verbal behavior for children with autism and related disorders. Our skill acquisition programs are customized for each child’s learning needs and focus on teaching language and communication, self-help skills, compliance behavior and appropriate peer and social skills. BCOTB provides discreet trial teaching in addition to natural environment teaching, while using errorless learning techniques. To maintain the highest level of service, our Board Certified Behavior Analysts provide intensive training and daily supervision to our Behavior Therapists. BCOTB was named ‘Most Valuable Resource’ by international advocacy foundation Autism Speak and received the Autism Impact Award on behalf of the International Center for Autism Research and Education for its contributions to the autism community.