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Challenging Behavior

Challenging Behavior: Dealing with Children who Bite

As a teacher and foster parent, I have seen biting behaviors resolve through team-based plans and specific strategies. When these strategies were consistently in place, the biting behavior disappeared. I realized that adults often want the child to simply “stop,” but the most effective interventions begin by changing the environment to reduce triggers like stress, boredom, or competition.

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Early Intervention Success Stories

The Quiet Explorer: Not Letting Our “Easy” Baby Get Lost in the Noise

I spent so much time putting out fires. The meltdowns. The sensory spirals. The “heavy work” sessions just to get through a grocery run. Because her brother’s needs were so loud, I often found myself exhaling in relief when I looked at Little Pumpkin. She was the “easy” one. She was our go-with-the-flow cuddle bug […]

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Resources for Early Intervention

Health Information Resources in Early Intervention: Children’s Hospitals

We are not expected to be medical doctors, but we are expected to be informed team members. Utilizing these health libraries ensures our practice—and our resource sharing—is grounded in reliable information.

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Resources for Early Intervention

Using the CDC as a Trusted Resource for Early Intervention

Remember, knowledge is power, and the CDC is a fantastic resource for anyone invested in the healthy development of all children.

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Early Intervention in Everyday Routines Sensory Strategies

Sensory Play: Bedtime Routine Part 2

Creating a peaceful bedtime routine for a child with sensory processing challenges takes time, patience, and experimentation. By understanding your child’s unique needs and incorporating sensory strategies, you can create a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation and sleep for everyone.

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Early Intervention in Everyday Routines

Sensory Seeker Bedtime Routine Part 1

We know that children with ASD experience sleep issues and challenging behaviors. Parents then experience stress, and then parent’s stress can worsen a child’s behavior problems. Therefore, effective stress management becomes a critical for both parent and child’s well-being.

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Resources for Early Intervention

Using Pathways.org Videos in Early Intervention

The parents’ faces lit up! Seeing the skill in action made the milestone tangible and understandable. It wasn’t just words anymore; it was a real-life demonstration.
I find these videos incredibly helpful, not only for showcasing current skills but also for providing a visual preview of what to expect next.

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Challenging Behavior

Escaping the Car Seat: What Worked for Us

The most important lesson I learned is that prevention is key. When your child is actively escaping their car seat while you’re driving, you’re helpless. Focus on creating an environment that minimizes the likelihood of escape.

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Challenging Behavior

The Day My Child Smeared Poop All Over Himself: The Joys of Fecal Smearing Behavior

To my horror, he was covered in what appeared to be feces, gleefully playing with it. Panic set in as I navigated through traffic, desperately trying to find a safe place to pull over.

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Sensory Strategies

Sensory Play: Jumping on the Indoor Trampoline

Jumping can be a powerful tool in our sensory toolkit. By understanding the science of it and incorporating it thoughtfully, we can help sensory-seeking children find regulation, improve their motor skills, and engage more fully in their world.