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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome! This is the Autism of America Behavior Technician monthly newsletter. We are providing this resource so that we can more easily share important information and company announcements with everyone.
Announcements
You can view the company calendar to find important information, closing dates, and to schedule any meetings (when needed). Find the calendar here.
To access the calendar (and any other password-protected pages on the AOA website), use password: AOA2403!
This password may change at times for security purposes. You will be informed when this occurs.
Reviewing the newsletters is a mandatory part of your position.
BT REMINDERS
This area of the newsletter will address things related to your position as a Behavior Technician. We will give reminders that you may already be familiar with just as a refresher or for the purposes of informing those who may not be aware of the information. We might also share new information related to your role as a BT.
Reminder(s) of the Month
Refrain from using Physical Management
It is important to refrain from the use of physical management with clients. This means that we don't physically make them do things. For instance, if the client is having a tantrum, we don't physically pick them up and make them sit in a chair.
This is different than giving a physical prompt for a motor imitation skill, for example. However, even with physical prompting, we must be careful not to give excessive physical guidance. Give as little physical assistance to help the child practice the skill but, if the child is resistant to physical prompting, it is important to minimize harm and discuss other methods or antecedent strategies that can be used with your BCBA so that we aren't forcing our clients to comply.
The RBT Ethics Code 2.0 states "2.05 RBTs implement restrictive or punishment-based procedures only when included in a documented behavior-change plan and after their supervisor has verified their competence." This would include the use of physical management. A BCBA may recommend the use of physical management only in specific situations and after ample efforts to use more acceptable methods (i.e., differential reinforcement, antecedent strategies, etc.) have been applied.
FEATURED ABA CONCEPT
This area of the newsletter will briefly review one ABA concept, strategy, or tip as a way to help you improve your ABA skills which will ultimately help us give the best quality services to our clients. We continue to strive for excellence in our services and want to support your growth in the field, as well.
Describe behavior and environment in observable and measurable terms
Behavior technicians should be able to describe a behavior and events that happen in the environment in an objective way. This means that when you observe your client's behavior you should be able to explain it in a clear, concise, and measurable way. Your explanation of the behavior should be clear to anyone else who would be observing that client so that the other person could use your definition of the behavior and they would collect the same data as you would if you were both watching the client at the same time.
The opposite way of describing behavior would be explaining it in a vague and subjective way, such as by saying "The client had an outburst" or "The client was feeling overwhelmed."
In ABA, we need to be as objective as possible so that we can ensure our data is accurate which then helps to ensure that data analysis can be done effectively and interventions can be implemented and monitored in a way that is reliable and valid. With accurate data being collected on a child's behavior, we can better help them to achieve their treatment goals.
You may be asked to collect ABC (antecedent-behavior-consequence) data. When collecting this data, it will likely be necessary for you to be able to objectively define behavior.
EXAMPLE OF OBJECTIVE BEHAVIORAL DEFINITION:
Hand Biting: Any instance in which the teeth come into contact with any part of the hand with sufficient force to leave a mark.
Example: Biting the hand between the thumb and forefinger with sufficient force to leave a red mark.
Non-Example: Accidentally putting a finger in the mouth while eating without leaving a mark.
IMPORTANT DATES (Events, Closings, Etc.)
CLOSINGS
NO CLOSINGS IN OCTOBER
EVENTS
QBS Training (Grand Rapids location)
October 17th and 18th 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Themed Client Activity: Painting a Pumpkin for Halloween (October 31)
Week of October 21-25
To celebrate Halloween, AOA would like all of our centers (and home-based staff if you're able) to help our kiddos complete a craft representing the holiday.
This is a way to connect all of our BTs and kiddos and bring a greater sense of community to our team despite being in many different locations. Additionally, this activity gives our clients something new and exciting to experience which can incorporate mastered skills, current goals, or new skills as well as to develop social and communication skills no matter the learner's needs or abilities. Feel free to contact your Center Coordinator or the BCBA overseeing your case for more guidance.
The craft we will complete is painting a pumpkin which supports a variety of skills such as fine motor skills and receptive language skills. You can also incorporate pattern and/or color recognition.
AOA will provide craft supplies if needed.
Materials needed: pumpkin, washable paint, paintbrushes
Instructions: The BT should present the pumpkin in front of the child. The BT should prepare the paint for the child in a way that is suitable to the child's needs and abilities (i.e., offering multiple colors at once or a single color at a time). The BT may give specific instructions (i.e., "Paint with the color red.") or allow free painting (allowing the child to paint in any manner they wish). The BT may consider writing the child's name on the pumpkin with permanent marker to help identify the pumpkin from the pumpkin of peers or siblings.
COMPANY VALUES
We would like to share the AOA core values with you. We strive to incorporate these values into everything we do. We hope you will embrace these values and demonstrate them throughout your work, as well.
THE AOA CORE VALUES INCLUDE:
Excellence
Compassion
Respect
Diversity
Positivity
THANK YOU
Thank you for all you do for your clients and for AOA. We appreciate you!
If you have any questions about this content, feel free to contact the Training & Development Director, Heather Gilmore, at hgilmore@autismofamerica.com. You are also welcome to contact your BCBA, center coordinator, or HR staff.
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