Valley Behavioral Health

ABA Therapy and Behavior Consulting

SCHEDULE A FREE 30-MINUTE CONSULTATION TODAY!

740-298-7078

Is your child missing developmental milestones? Are behaviors making simple daily routines difficult to get through?  Do you walk on egg shells in the community, hoping this time will be different?  Have you tried everything to help your child communicate with others, but nothing is working?

Without Behavior Therapy (ABA), many children with autism will carry these struggles throughout their lives.  But, life-changing therapy is available to give you and your child the skills needed to live a safe, successful life.

We provide Behavior Therapy (ABA) for children with autism and related disabilities.  Our center is located in Bridgeport, Ohio – right outside of Saint Clairsville.  We also provide in-home, community, and school-based services in the tri-state area: Southeastern Ohio, West Virginia panhandle, and Southwestern PA.

Intensive Behavioral Therapy has repeatedly changed the outcome for individuals with autism.  You’ll never regret getting help as early as possible!

Click here and schedule a free 30-minute consultation today!

 

We are an Approved Autism Scholarship Program!

By

We are excited to now be able to offer this program to children with Autism.  We provide a unique learning experience and accelerated outcomes for our learners with autism.

Our program offers:

  • One-on-one individualized education
  • Small group
  • ABA-based instruction and therapy

“The Autism Scholarship Program (ASP) gives the parents of children with autism who qualify for a scholarship the choice to send the child to a special education program other than the one operated by the school district of residence to receive their education and the services outlined in the child’s individualized education program (IEP).”

Click here for more information on the Autism Scholarship Program.

 

 

 

Autism Awareness Month

By

Autism Awareness Month is almost over.  But, awareness isn’t enough. It’s important for individuals with autism and their families to be accepted in our communities. How can you been more accepting?

Today I want to share a few ways that WE ALL can help our community be more accepting of individuals with autism (and really anyone who has a disability or is different). Often I think people mean well but simply don’t know what to do when they encounter someone who is different. Here are a few things that you can do that may help. I can’t speak for everyone who has special needs or who has a child with special needs, but I think it all starts with a little kindness.

1. Acknowledge – If you see someone who is different, say ‘hi’, talk to them. We are all people and want to be acknowledged. No one likes to be ignored.

2. If your child asks you a question about someone they see in public who is different, don’t shy away from it or shush your child. Shushing it makes it seem like there is something wrong with that person. Talk about what you see. Answer your child’s question. For example if you see a child flapping his arms, you could say “You seem really happy!” In some situations, it may be okay to ask the parent if they would mind telling you about their child. It is important to be respectful, but don’t be afraid to talk about it. This will teach your child it is okay to be different.

3. Teach your children about different disabilities. If you don’t know anyone personally, use online videos and pictures to show your child examples of different people. You can talk about the ways that everyone is different. This will help expose your child to many different types of people.

4. Offer friendship, support, inclusion. Like all of us, people and families of individuals with disabilities want to be acknowledged, included, respected. Try to do this any way possible.

5. If you are close to a family who has a child with a disability, offer to babysit. Many families struggle to find a babysitter who they can trust with their child. This can be isolating and exhausting for the parents if they never get a break, or a night away. You may have to put in some extra time with the person to learn more about their needs before the family will feel okay with you babysitting, but what a wonderful way to show how much you care about them!

Do you have other tips? Please leave them in the comments!

We Want Your Child to Learn as Quickly as Possible

By

We value providing our clinicians with learning and professional development opportunities! In March, our entire Valley Behavioral Health team was invited to attend a 2-day workshop on Precision Teaching.  Precision Teaching combines the science of measurement with best practices in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to ensure that we are making gains with our learners as fast as possible. Precision Teaching allows us to immediately see when progress isn’t being made, so we can make a change, and avoid delays in progress.  Thanks to Precision Teaching, we have seen amazing growth in our learners’ skills!

Holiday Tips: For A Less Stressful Holiday Season for Children with Autism and Their Families

By

Autism Holiday Tips

  1. Make a photo album in advance of relatives and friends who you will see during holiday events.
    • This can help some children remember the names of relatives or family friends.  It can also help ease anxiety about new or unfamiliar faces.
  2. Use a calendar to mark the dates of upcoming events.
    • Many children will anxiously await the holidays, asking over and over when it will come! Time can be a tricky concept for many kids. Use a calendar to countdown the days until the big events.
  3. Write and read a story together of what to expect during the holidays.
    • Many children simply don’t know what is expected of them during these chaotic holiday events.  From visiting Santa to crowded holiday parties and itchy sweaters, the holidays are full of new and unusual experiences.  Help your child know what to expect and what is expected from them, but writing a story and reading it to them often leading up to the event.
  4. Teach your child how to leave a situation or get support when an event becomes overwhelming.
    • No matter how much you prepare and try to prevent situations that you know will set your child off, life is not full-proof, and it’s often impossible to prevent all situations where your child may struggle.  Teach your child a signal or phrase that gives them a way out when they are upset or overwhelmed.  For example, a tap on your arm or a simple word like “break”.  You can also give them a comforting place to go, such as a quiet corner.  Make sure to practice this over and over again before the big event, so they are fluent and a simple cue by you will prompt them to use this skill if they are unable to independently.
  5. Give simple, clear instructions when in new situations.
    • Holidays can be extremely overwhelming, and often the more words told to a child with autism or a developmental disability, the more difficult it can be for them to process those instructions and act accordingly.  Keep your instructions short and to the point by using only a few words.  For example:
      Instead of this…. Say this…
      “Come over here and sit down next to me.” “Sit here.” and point
      “Take off your shoes and your coat and put them over here.” “Shoes off.” Wait until finished. “Coat off.” Wait. “Put here”
      “Let’s decorate the tree! Get all your ornaments and carefully put them on the tree.  Here’s a string of lights, let’s put them up.” “Put the snowman on.” “Hold this end of the lights.”
  6. Use “First___,Then____” to help your child get through unpreferred situations.
    • This simple statement allows your child to see the payoff in the end, know what and is next, and prevent anxiety and meltdowns.  Avoid the urge to over-explain why they have to do certain things, be simple, to the point, and brief.
  7. Make and reference a visual schedule of the day’s events.
    • Many children with autism are visual learners.  A written or picture schedule can be a great tool to guide your child through the steps in their day.  When referenced before each event or task, it can help give your child a roadmap of each step of the day. 
  8. If you are traveling, make a ‘busy bag’ with tasks that are easy and fun to do!
    • Traveling can be boring for anyone.  Children with autism may not know what to do with themselves during long trips or in places where they have to wait a long time.  Teaching them leisure skills is greatly beneficial.  Think about the times when you have to wait…do you sit and do nothing? No, you pick up your phone or read a magazine.  You find something to do.  Children with autism may struggle to spontaneously find activities to do during leisure times.  Busy bags or binders can give them activities to do and make those travel times less stressful for all.
  9. Practice opening gifts, giving gifts, taking turns and waiting.  
    • Practicing routines or activities prior to the real event can greatly increase the success of children with autism.  This allows them to learn the skills prior to the big day.  Teach them how to open gifts, wait their turn, or even respond appropriately to receiving an unwanted gift.  Allowing them to have a small treat or their favorite item/toy while they wait can also help them learn.
  10. Set yourself up for success.
    • You know your child best.  You know what activities they are capable of successfully doing, and what activities may cause stress, anxiety, and problem behaviors.  Don’t put added pressure on yourself or your child to participate in activities or events that you know they aren’t quite ready to do.  Be okay with saying no to situations you know your child will struggle with.  Do the activities that you can enjoy and prepare for.  Set yourself up for success so everyone can enjoy the holiday!