If your student's behaviors are interfering with their success in the educational setting, an FBA might be just what they need. 

An FBA is a behavioral assessment used to track data to figure out why a student acts a certain way. In the assessment, the goal is to determine what is behind the behavior which you might hear referred to as the “function of the behavior” and what purpose that behavior might be serving the student. This is important because it leads the evaluator to look beyond just the behavior and instead, to the underlying motivation for it.

An FBA leads to an overview of what function or purposes the behavior serves so that the team can then use that information to develop a Behavior Intervention Plan for that student, sometimes called a BIP.

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In this episode, I talk about all things behavior.  You are not alone.  

Behavior challenges are among the biggest struggles reported by parents raising a child with autism.  If you're like me and maybe have never heard of anger rumination, I'll explain what it is and how it might be impacting your child.  

I'll also give you strategies that you can use when you are in the moment.  

Check out our private membership and why you should join us inside.

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The requested evaluations are completed and the school calls you to schedule the meeting.  What Now?    

In this episode, I walk you through the things you need to know about this process.  What your expectations should and should not be.

I review the purpose and explanation of both a 504 Plan and an IEP and tell you things that you may hear and what you should always do. 

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In today's episode, I walk you through the process of getting your child evaluated for Special Education services.  No, your child does not have to be school-age before getting evaluated.  

I talk in detail about what to expect as well as going into detail into the available evaluations, what they are specifically for, and the importance of requesting them.  

In addition, I give you important things that you need to be aware of and know how to respond to certain things that you might hear or be told along the way.  

Getting the proper evaluations completed gives everyone the data and insight needed to get your child the services and accommodations that he or she needs in the educational setting to be successful.

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This week, we are giving our moms of girls some extra well-deserved attention and talking all things autism in girls.  I address some of the reasons why they are oftentimes under-diagnosed and how their brains may actually differ.  

I talk about things to look for early on as well as what to be mindful of as they grow into their teenage years and beyond.

We want to give our moms of girls extra love and we know that their challenges are not any lesser than us moms of boys!  

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Special Education is a great unknown for so many parents.  Years ago, special education meant a separate classroom for special students of varying physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. But now, special education is integrated more than ever before and it is constantly changing.

I want you to know is that Special Education is for any student who requires additional support and services in order to learn. It is not only for students who have severe physical or intellectual disabilities. Many students who receive special education services, learn right alongside their peers in typical inclusion classroom settings. Many of these students, and maybe even your child, go on to live independently and obtain employment or continue their education into college and go on to live very productive lives.

If your child qualifies for special education services, that DOES NOT mean that they will have to be in a separate classroom or ride the “special bus”. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions around this and it is simply not true. Every child who qualifies for special education services will have an IEP or 504 plan developed for their individual needs.

You are not alone! In this episode, I talk about things that you may be dealing with when it comes to getting your little one (or bigger one) to fall asleep or stay asleep.  Things that you may be doing or not doing that could be impacting them getting a good night's sleep.  

Want to know more:

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In this episode, I talk in detail about echolalia.  The two different ways echolalia presents itself and when it should become a concern.  

Figuring out the meaning behind echolalia can be tricky but with a little detective work, it is possible.  

In this episode, I talk about the fact that you have the choice to believe or not believe anyone else's opinion.  Along your autism journey, you will likely come in contact with people who will have an opinion, or who will do or say something that you don't agree with.  When that happens, you have a choice to believe them or not.  Your thoughts about what they do or say are what create how you feel.  

Interesting isn't it?  Go ahead, listen and it may open your eyes to an entirely new way of thinking!

You can choose to think things on purpose and ultimately feel better!  

Want to know more?  Click on the link below to get more information on our Private Membership exclusively for Autism Moms

Not Your Average Autism Mom

In this episode, I talk about all of the judgments we place on ourselves about being a Mom.  How we never feel like we measure up and other moms are doing so much better than we are.  Why your thoughts of feeling overwhelmed and that you simply just can't do it are not serving you and what you can do to change those thoughts.  

Just imagine what it would feel like if you actually took credit and celebrated how much you actually DO.  Stop worrying about other people's opinion about HOW you parent and just focus on what works for your family.  

In 2021, I want you to be proud of the mom that you are and believe that you truly are doing an AMAZING job!