Recovery

Using recovery for better communication Recognize what you want to see: Calmly telling parents when they need help. Use the skill: Reflect any calm words. Praise for telling you what they need. Use calming strategies together. Describe what your child is doing. Purpose:Use recovery time to help your child calm down and to practice better […]

Hand-Over-Hand

Using helping for better communication Recognize what you want to see: Calmly telling parents when they need help. Use the skill: You might teach baby sign language. For example, Hold each hand and help your child put their fingers together to say “more.” Purpose:Some children cannot communicate well with spoken words. You can teach sign […]

Effective Commands

Using effective commands for better communication Recognize what you want to see: Calmly telling parents when they need help. Use the skill: When your child is calm, you could say, “Now that you’re calm, please tell me what you need.” Purpose:In the middle of a tantrum or big emotions, your child will have a hard […]

Consistent Consequences

Using consistent consequences for better communication Recognize what you want to see: Calmly telling parents when they need help. Use the skill: Possible praise: “Thank you for asking calmly.”  Possible negative consequence: spending 2-3 minutes alone, losing some screen or play time. Purpose:Some children don’t know how to say what they need or how to […]

Redoing

Using a redo for better communication Recognize what you want to see: Calmly telling parents when they need help. Use the skill: You might say, “When you speak to me with respect, then I will answer you.” or “Try saying that again calmly and slowly.” Purpose:A redo is a great way to help children improve […]

Modeling

Using modeling for better communication Recognize what you want to see: Calmly telling parents when they need help. Use the skill: Model asking for help when you need it. Make sure that you communicate clearly with your child. Purpose:Your child will do what you do. Communicate with them the way you want them to communicate […]

Rules

Using rules for better communication Recognize what you want to see: Calmly telling parents when they need help. Use the skill: Try a rule like, “The rule is to speak calmly and kindly to each other. If you follow the rule, the other person will respond and help if they can. If you yell at […]

Choices

Using choices for better communication Recognize what you want to see: Calmly telling parents when they need help. Use the skill: Try choices to help your child communicate. For example, “It looks like you are getting frustrated. You can either take a 2 minute break and try again or you can ask nicely for help.” […]

When-Then/If-Then

Using when-then & if-then statements for better communication Recognize what you want to see: Calmly telling parents when they need help. Use the skill: Remind your child how to communicate. For example, “When you ask calmly, I am happy to help.” “If you need help, just let me know.”  Purpose: This is one of the […]

Strategic Attention

Using strategic attention for better communication Recognize what you want to see: Calmly telling parents when they need help. Use the skill: Try to ignore whining, screaming, or demanding. Praise & help your child when they calmly ask for help. Purpose:Help your child learn how to communicate with your attention. At first, you might ignore […]