Considerations when creating strategies for the home
I develop all materials and strategies with the parents/family in mind. They are different from trained staff in the school so I have to think about several things.
- I try and make it as convenient as possible for parents to use these communication strategies often at home. I consider and understand that other things occupy parents’ time at home, such as: other children, after school activities, house keeping, business, shopping, commuting, and uncontrollable elements within the community.
- Within a school, educators have much more experience and practice at controlling their emotions and reacting neutrally to meltdowns. Parents can react very emotionally to meltdowns. An emotional reaction to unhappy behavior in their child is natural for parents, especially before the right training is received. Parents can not be expected to immediately and easily react as an educator would. However, it is a skill that does need to be practiced by parents eventually. Especially if they often give their child what he wants in order to deescalate his behaviors as his can reinforce the wrong behaviors.
- In order for a child to develop some structure and routine at home the parents have to be taught to have the same structure and routine at home. I try to make strategies as simple as possible. Sticking with practicing the strategies over and over again and using visual aides establishes the routine and structure needed at home. Parents must really consider how involved they are going to be in changing their child's behaviors and developing his skills at home.
- I try and make it as convenient as possible for parents to use these communication strategies often at home. I consider and understand that other things occupy parents’ time at home, such as: other children, after school activities, house keeping, business, shopping, commuting, and uncontrollable elements within the community.
- Within a school, educators have much more experience and practice at controlling their emotions and reacting neutrally to meltdowns. Parents can react very emotionally to meltdowns. An emotional reaction to unhappy behavior in their child is natural for parents, especially before the right training is received. Parents can not be expected to immediately and easily react as an educator would. However, it is a skill that does need to be practiced by parents eventually. Especially if they often give their child what he wants in order to deescalate his behaviors as his can reinforce the wrong behaviors.
- In order for a child to develop some structure and routine at home the parents have to be taught to have the same structure and routine at home. I try to make strategies as simple as possible. Sticking with practicing the strategies over and over again and using visual aides establishes the routine and structure needed at home. Parents must really consider how involved they are going to be in changing their child's behaviors and developing his skills at home.