What is the difference between neurotypical and neurodiverse?
We believe in inclusion and acceptance at Daisy Mae ABA, which is why these terms are included in our content. Neurotypical refers to individuals that have typical neural development. Neurodiverse refers to individuals that have atypical neural development. An example of neurodiverse individuals is those diagnosed with developmental disabilities. "The term neurodiverse is related to the concept of neurodiversity, which proposes that variation in brain functioning within the human population is normal and that brain functioning that is not neurotypical should not be stigmatized" (www.merriam-webster.com).
Are parent consulting sessions the right service for me?
Parent consulting sessions are the right fit for you if any of the following describe you: my child's challenging behavior is low-to-moderate in intensity, I've tried everything else I can think of and it just isn't working, I want guidance from a certified and licensed expert in behavior analysis that will walk me through making sure my parenting strategies meet my child's needs and figure out if they are working and how I can modify them if they're not, I am ready to modify my parenting style to finally manage my child's behavior successfully, I want to use evidence-based tools and strategies to finally succeed in managing my child's challenging behavior (i.e., tantrums, meltdowns, screaming, arguing, throwing, hitting, back-talk, etc.).
What will my child's direct ABA therapy sessions look like?
ABA sessions will be individualized for each child based on their programming. However, every session will have some basic elements. Each session will begin with a quick check-in with the adult present to get updates on recent life or behavior changes for the child. This will be followed by 5-10 minutes of pairing (building rapport) with the child. The rest of the session will focus on programming with some breaks built in. Breaks will look different for each child. Some will involve playing a game or doing a small craft and some may be more brief and involve singing songs. Some children may have only one break (older clients) and some may have multiple shorter breaks. At the end of each session, the behavior analyst will update the adult on the contents and progress or setbacks of the session.
What is the difference among low, moderate, and high intensity of behavior?
Low intensity refers to behavior that is mild and doesn't harm others, such as screaming, throwing lightly (not at others), arguing, tantrums that don't hurt others, whining, not listening, light swatting at others, etc. Moderate intensity refers to behavior that results in some damage to things that are thrown or hit (i.e., broken toys) or hitting/ kicking/ pushing/ biting or any other similar behaviors that are directed toward others and may even bruise them or leave marks that last a few minutes. High intensity refers to behavior that results in serious damage to objects (i.e., holes in walls, broken furniture) or hitting/ kicking/ pushing/ biting or any other similar behaviors that are directed toward others and result in bleeding or marks that remain for a day or more. If your child has high intensity challenging behavior, the ABA parenting course and parent guidance sessions are not options Daisy Mae ABA recommends. A child with high- intensity challenging behaviors would benefit from direct ABA therapy from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or an ABA therapist working directly under the supervision of a BCBA due to the complexity of the behavior.
