F a m i l y
T e s t i m o n i a l
"Our son is doing REALLY well. I feel he has been learning so much and the program is really excellent for him.
An example: a little boy who is 6 months older that he is, spent the evening with us about 5 months ago, and there was a huge discrepancy in their speaking ability - both quantity and quality.
We just had the same little boy over again last week and I could barely tell the difference in the 2 boys speaking! Our son is closing the gap! That is the most exciting thing for me - not only is he learning, but he is learning quickly enough to catch up with his peers!"
- The mother of a
young boy with autism
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Westchase Office:
6916 W Linebaugh Ave,
Suite 102
Tampa, FL 33625
813-265-0210
Wesley Chapel Office:
3717 Turman Loop,
Suite 102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
813-345-8584
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Greetings!
Welcome to the First Quarterly Newsletter for 2010 from Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay! I hope you had an excellent holiday and that your new year is off to a great start. This newsletter is full of up to the minute news as well as informational topics requested by you!
Several families are already experiencing the benefits of Governor Crist's 'Window of Opportunity Act' that requires insurance companies to cover a portion of therapy for children diagnosed with autism and Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay is currently expanding our involvement with insurance companies. We have recently been approved as a preferred provider for 2 major carriers!
We've also received requests asking for help and suggestions in reference to children on the spectrum encountering the effects of puberty and adolescence.
I hope you find this newsletter useful - please feel free to forward this to anyone you feel may benefit from the information. As always, we love hearing from you on what you enjoyed seeing or changes or suggestions of topics you would like to see covered in future newsletters.
Best,
Kelley Prince, M.A., BCBA
President, Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay
ANALYSIS · INSTRUCTION · ACHIEVEMENT
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Latest News
Autism in the News
Many insurance policies renew this month and Florida's Window of Opportunity Act
requires insurance companies to help pay for ABA therapy. Several families still may not be aware of their coverage limits, or if they're even
enrolled to receive this coverage.
Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay is thrilled to announce beginning February 1st, we are officially a preferred, in-network provider for Aetna insurance plans. We have also been approved for those covered under Cigna plans and are awaiting our start date with them. We'll pass that information on to you as soon as we're told.
If you're unsure what coverage you're entitled to, with a little bit of information from you,
Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay can help determine your specific coverage
limits. If you're interested in finding out what your insurance will cover, click here and download our Insurance Information Form located at the bottom of the page. Once you've filled in all the necessary information, fax or email it back to us. We're more than happy to help decipher your existing insurance policies.
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Maturing on the Spectrum
Effects of Puberty Can Disrupt Routines
Parents of children with autism can't help thinking about how routines will change or how a child will react once his or her body begins the process of maturation. Because puberty brings so many changes, it's important for a child on the spectrum to know what is happening to them as well as what they can do to adjust.
Parents may utilize gender-appropriate 'Social Stories,' which are created to set up clear expectations and boundaries in social situations for the child. Each Story should be reassuring, as well as written with simple, concrete language the child can understand. For example, "It is important for me to take care of my body so I stay healthy. I can do this by keeping my teeth clean so I don't get cavities. Those can hurt! I can keep my teeth shiny and healthy by brushing them thoroughly after I eat."
Because Stories are specifically tailored for each child, using photos of the child engaged in the specific activities also helps with comprehension. Establishing healthy routines, including hygiene habits and self care (example: Wake up. Wash Face.) with either visual or written schedules can benefit a child as well.
When hormones change, a child's complexion can be one of the first obvious changes. Take care when introducing a skincare regime. Many  children will need to be introduced to or desensitized to facial scrubs since some contain abrasive products. Also, check with your physician before adding a hygiene product since some brands may conflict with or have interactions with any current medications.
Establish an Exercise Program
Establishing a routine of physical activity for a child on the spectrum is extremely important, especially when the child is beginning to experience the effects of puberty. Exercise can help regulate weight, as well as expend extra energy or pent up frustrations. Some activities may also assist in presenting valuable socialization.
Individual sports such as golf, bowling and karate are good choices for adolescents since they teach self-discipline and are  structured. These activities can also present opportunities for body awareness as well as practicing mimicking and socialization skills.
Parents may also want to consider phasing out edible reinforcements for other age-appropriate rewards. As kids mature, weight may fluctuate and prior reinforcements may work against the child's changing metabolism. Speak with your physician or therapist about potential options and ideas.
Keep Lines of Communication Open
Good peer relations is key to any child going through puberty. Parents may find it very helpful to remain involved in their child's activities, either by chaperoning field trips or being the parent who takes the kids to the movies or mall. Also, by keeping the home 'attractive' for the child and his or her peers (game room or providing other 'fun' activities,) parents can supervise interactions.
Kids can also learn about establishing boundaries, both with themselves as well as boundaries when interacting with others. Children on the spectrum may benefit from video modeling.  This is where parents can initiate role play, record the interaction and then view and use the demonstration as an outlet to form a discussion with the child. This can help the child understand and learn clear, appropriate and acceptable boundaries - both physical boundaries and behavioral boundaries - as well as potential consequences to particular actions.
Parents must understand and expect that there will be some behaviors they have no control over as kids learn about and discover their bodies. However, it is vital to teach kids about their bodies in a clear and concise manner as well as equip them with the tools and knowledge of how to keep themselves safe, healthy and clean.
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Upcoming Events
Community Meetings & Autism-Friendly Events
- The
Autism Society of America and AMC Theatres present Sensory Friendly Movies every month at both the AMC Woodlands Square 20 (727-771-6643) in
Oldsmar as well as the AMC Veteran's 24 (813-243-4881) in Tampa. All shows
begin at 10am:
- 02/06: Fundraising for The Behavior Bunch, Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay's Team for the 2010 Autism Speaks, Walk Now for Autism on Saturday May 1st. Team members will be set up at the Wesley Chapel Publix from 11am until 3pm taking general donations and selling autism-related goodies.
- Now until 03/15: Art for Autism: Children ages 5-18 who have been diagnosed with ASD can design original artwork that may be selected to appear on various premium gourmet coffees and cocoa blends. Entries will be accepted until March 15, 2010. Click here for more information.
As always,
please let me know if you have any suggestions on items you would like
to see featured in a future edition of either our Monthly Newsletter or
the Quarterly Newsletter.
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Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay
About Us
Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay
implements Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs with an emphasis on verbal
behavior. Our skill acquisition
programs, customized for each child's learning needs, focus on evoking language
and communication, self-help skills, compliance behavior and appropriate peer
and social skills. We
provide discreet trial teaching in addition to natural environment teaching,
while using errorless learning techniques. To maintain a consistent level of quality, our Board
Certified Behavior Analysts oversee programs and evaluate and document progress
every 4 weeks.
Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay
compared the rate of development in 18 clients who were between the ages of 2
and 7 years old during the onset of services. All received our intensive instruction averaging 10 hours a
week for 5 months. We found, on
average, the group more than doubled their
original skill set. Based on these findings, we're
confident that all children, regardless of skill deficits, diagnosis, or
behavior, can learn skills and develop behaviors never before thought possible
if a quality behavior analysis program is implemented.
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