TBBJ HCH
  
Monthly Newsletter
  
March 2010
IN THIS ISSUE
Insurance Carriers Added
Fundraiser for Autism Speaks
Hiding Eggs Offers Learning Opportunity
Upcoming Events
About Us

Family Testimonial
Blowing Bubbles


"My son just loves Kelley.  When he is with her it is hardly even like he is working, but playing.  She is so wonderful with him.  I truly believed she saved his life.  When we met Kelley, our son wouldn't eat anything but crackers.  So many people we went to before her said things like "there's nothing I can do," "he's the worst I have ever seen" or "I just can't help him."  We had lost hope until we met Kelley.  Now he almost eats like a regular 4-year-old boy.! What a blessing!  I just know he would have been put on a feeding tube had it not been for her and her love of a challenge."
 
- The mother of a
child with PDD




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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


Greetings!

Spring officially begins March 20th and w
ith Spring Break coming up, kids will be home from school.  This is a great time to practice social skills and our therapists are more than happy to meet you and your child outside of the home or office to practice.  Suggestions on locations can be anywhere from restaurants and theme parks to shopping and doctor's visits.

We also have therapists on hand if you'd like to schedule your child for additional therapy hours before they head back to school. Call either office and we'll schedule a time when it's best for you.

Don't forget, next month is Autism Awareness Month and there are many opportunities to get involved.  We'll be taking part in the 2010 Walk Now for Autism Speaks at North Straub Park in downtown St Pete on Saturday, May 1st.  If you'd  like to participate, you can either register online or at the designated booth at Straub Park that will be set up on the morning of the walk.  Also, the informational Resource Fair begins at 9am and the walk starts at 1030am.  Click on our team page, The Behavior Bunch, for more information or to donate!

There are multiple events coming up to get involved with - make sure you check out the latest calendar listings below. We look forward to seeing you while supporting a great cause!

Best,
TBBJ HCH
Kelley Prince, M.A., BCBA
President, Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay



ANALYSIS · INSTRUCTION · ACHIEVEMENT



Insurance Coverage

In-Network Provider!
 

Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay is excited to announce
Aetnawe're on our way to being a provider for Cigna and are now a preferred, in-network provider for Aetna Insurance!

Florida's Window of Opportunity Act requires insurance companies to help pay for ABA therapy, but many parents don't know what their provider covers, or if they're even enrolled to receive this coverage. 

If you're interested in finding out what your provider's limits are, click here and download our Insurance Information Form located at the bottom of the pageOnce you've filled in all the necessary information, either fax or email it back to us.  We're more than happy to help decipher your existing insurance policies. 
 



Mark Your Calendar!

Fundraiser Benefits Autism Speaks
 

Don't forget to mark your calendars for next Tuesday, March 9th - we're participating in a fundraiser for Autism Speaks at the restaurant, Cosi located at the Shops at Wiregrass. All of the proceeds from an on-site raffle, as well as 20% of all food sales between 4pm and 8pm, will benefit Autism Speaks!

The staff at Cosi recently partnered with and underwent training through CARD-USF to become an 'autism-friendly' restaurant. Remember to ask for their visual reference,
How to Make S'mores, when you visit!

Come out for some great food for a great cause and check out the Autism Fits link from CARD's website for a listing of more Bay-area autism friendly businesses!

 


Hunting for Easter Eggs

Hiding Eggs Also Offers Learning Opportunity

Easter is in a few weeks and with it comes an abundance of opportunities to take part in Hunting for Easter Eggs!

Many children with an autism spectrum disorder may not comprehend the element of surprise a game like 'Hide and
Go-Seek' or an activity like an Easter Egg Hunt offers.

A good social exercise parents can do with their kids is to put the child's favorite treat inside the plastic eggs found in stores this time of year.  Parents can then show the child how to open the egg so he or Plastic Easter Eggsshe begins to interpret the link of finding and opening a plastic egg equals something good tucked inside. 

Once the child comprehends the fact that they
need to actually open the egg to find the treat, start showing him or her how to look around for the plastic eggs.  This can help a child's 'Seeking' skills and parents can 'hide' the eggs throughout the home, in easily found locations (on the child's chair, on the couch, etc.).  Once the child is able to easily locate the plastic eggs, parents can then start hiding them in more difficult-to-find locations.

Besides exercising a child's fine motor skills, as well as problem-solving skills, this activity can help provide a social opportunity for a child to share in both anticipation and excitement with their peers.
 
Allergy Reminder
 
As always, be mindful of what all children can and can't eat - Peepsespecially when many kids on the spectrum benefit from a gluten-free (wheat and other grains) and casein-free (milk and milk products such as cheese, butter and yogurt) diet.  If giving treats to another child, it's always best to check with the parents on what is or isn't allowable.

Also, always check the ingredients before giving a child with food sensitivities anything that may trig
ger a reaction.  Certain ingredients can be hidden in something you may assume to be on the 'safe list.'

Check out this link for suggestions on some gluten-free, casein-free treats.
 



Upcoming Events

Community Meetings & Autism-Friendly Events
 

 - The Autism Society of America and AMC Theatres present Sensory Friendly Films 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:
  • 03/20: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
  • 04/10: How to Train Your Dragon
  • 05/22: Shrek Forever After
  - Now until Monday, 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.

  - Saturday, 03/27 from 10am-2pm: CARD-USF teams up with Freedom Playground for Touch-a-Truck, along with an autism-friendly Easter Egg Hunt from 11am-1130am. Click here for a map to the park.

 - Saturday, 03/27 from 12pm-4pm:
CARD-USF presents the Autism Health & Wellness Symposium 2010: Fit Beyond the Diagnosis at the C.W. Young Joint Military Leadership Center located on the USF Tampa Campus.  Click here to download their flyer. Call 813-974-8470 for more information.

 - Thursday, 04/15 from 6pm-10pm: The International Center for Autism Research and Education is hosting the Icare4autism 2010: Cocktail Gala at the Florida Aquarium.  The event includes door prizes, celebrity appearances, a luxury auction, live music and wine tastings. From now until March 15th, tickets are $50; tickets purchased between March 16th and April 1 are $65 and tickets purchased after April 1st are $75. Click here to purchase online or call 866-999-9735.

 - Wednesday, 04/21 and Thursday, 04/22 from 5pm-9pm: We are hosting a fundraiser at the NoHo Bistro in Tampa with 15% of the proceeds from each night's event benefiting Autism Speaks.  To reserve your table, call 813-514-0691, or click here to make your reservation online.

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.



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.